By Amosu Adeboye, Lagos
Nigeria midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo says he is not interested in a move away from Stoke City at the moment following an impressive debut season with the club.
Etebo is back with the Super Eagles at the moment preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations to start in Egypt later this month, when his team is hoping to win the trophy for a fourth time.
He has revealed how teammates and coaches at Stoke gave him a special send-off and how he is enjoying life in the Potteries, even if his first season did not go as planned for the club.
“I know a number of my teammates and management of my club will be looking up to me to do well on the international stage at the Africa Cup of Nations,” Etebo told the National in an interview.
“Stoke is a fantastic club and they make you feel at home at every point in time. After our last game, I was put on the spot and celebrated as a send-off to the African Nations Cup. They are happy that I’m going to Egypt and playing in the colours of Nigeria.
“We did not have an easy ride this season. The notion that the Championship is easy is a false one. It is as difficult as the Premier League and there are many quality players there too. At a point we indeed struggled but our strength lies in unity that permeates within the team, coaching crew and management levels.
“I must take this opportunity to say to the supporters that they have been so good over the past few weeks and really helped us. I know it hasn’t been an easy time for them because they have expected a lot more from this season, but the support they have shown us has been really good. I know times have been tough but believe me, as a team, united together; we can achieve so much more success.
“We have improved over the past couple of months; there is togetherness here now and what I should say to the supporters is that I really believe that long-term, we will not fail them.”
Etebo signed for Stoke from Portuguese side Feirense last summer for £6.3m and joined only a short break after playing at the World Cup.
He became an increasingly important member of the team and held down a central midfield role next to Joe Allen under Nathan Jones, scoring twice in 34 league appearances.
Eye-catching performances towards the end of the season led to whispers he could head for a higher level but he has rubbished such speculations.
“It is still early now to talk about that. I have a good relationship with Stoke and I am happy there.”
“At the end of the day I was adjudged the Stoke City player of the year (by the south west supporters’ club) and I must thank the club for that.”
