If there’s one English Premier League club that Nigerian players have a special affinity with over the years, it’s Watford.
And according to Nigerian midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo, who is currently on a season loan from English Championship club, Stoke City, the Hornets are an exceptional club, which made them attractive to Nigerian stars.
Currently, the Hornets parade Nigerians Etebo, Samuel Kalu, who joined in January, Emmanuel Dennis, William Troost-Ekong, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Tom Dele-Bashiru in the men’s squad, while Adekite Fatuga-Dada, Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro are in the women’s team.
The junior men’s team also parades Darrin Enahoro-Marcus and Tobi Adeyemo, both English-born of Nigerian descent.
“Every Nigerian player that has played here before has something good to say about the club,” he told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“To be honest, I would love to stay.
“They have an amazing staff, the players, the dressing room, it has been good. Since I came to Watford, I have loved it from day one, so I would love to and if they want to make my deal permanent, I would love to stay and I believe the same goes for every other Nigerian here at the moment.”
Nigerian players have given Watford some of their greatest memories and achieved some rare feats during their respective time with the club.
Odion Ighalo scored 20 Championship goals in 35 appearances for Watford who secured a return to the Premier League during the 2014/15 season.
Retired defender Danny Shittu was a cult figure hero at the club and went on to score 11 goals in 75 games during his two-year stint at the club.
Emmanuel Dennis, who joined last summer from Club Brugge, has been involved in 14 goals (nine goals and five assists) and is the club’s top scorer this season.
The likes of Isaac Success, William Troost-Ekong, Samuel Kalu, Tom Dele-Bashiru, Ben Iroha, Danny Shittu, Sam Sodje and Uche Agbo, among others in the Hornets women squad and the youth team.
On his team’s chances of avoiding relegation, the 25-year-old added, “I’m very confident we will stay up. It is not over until it is over.
“We will fight and stay up hopeful to avoid the drop and I believe that things will turn around for good.
“There are more games to make that happen and certainly. We have the players and with a bit of luck, we will. Everyone needs to stay together, be positive. It’s teamwork and there are a lot of games to go, so, I’m confident we will stay up.”
Watford face Southampton in their next game on Sunday at the Saint Mary’s stadium.
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