Hapoel Be’er Sheva of Israel midfielder, John Ugochukwu Ogu has hinted that 2018 has been a rapturous year for him, and is counting the blessing that have come his way in the outgoing session.
Footballlive.ng can report that, following a very remarkable surge in fortunes at both national team and club levels, the former Academica de Coimbra of Portugal star says he is grateful to God.
Ogu took to social media to reveal his emotions, as he takes stock of a year that saw him win the Israeli Premier League with his club, make Nigeria’s team to the World Cup and captain the Super Eagles once.
Ogu’s post came at a point the media was agog with memories of how he scored his first goal for the Eagles during an international friendly against Mexico in 2013, when he struck from outside the box just few minutes after his pal, Aide Brown Ideye struck home a penalty.
Born 20 April 1988, the avowed fan of Arsenal, who has also starred for Drava Ptuj of Slovenia, Atlético CP and Almería B of Spain, as well as U.D. Leiria of Portugal, helped Be’er Sheva to three Israeli championship titles in a row – 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The towering left-footed midfielder, who also once starred in central defence for the Nigerian squad during the year, had a highpoint of his national team career when he wore the skipper’s band in an exhibition match against Liberia.
The friendly in Monrovia saw Ogu exchange pleasantries at the centre circle before kick-off with Liberia’s football star-turned-president, George Opong Weah, who dusted his boots to feature in the game.
Ogu reflected over the past ten months on the strides he has made for club and country, then took to Twitter to reveal how grateful he is.
He tweeted via his official handle @ogujohnugo: “Out here counting my blessings.”
