Izuogu Chibueze, a 19-year-old rising star from Enyimba and a protégé of Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu, has made a strong start to his European career while on loan for the rest of the season. Playing for CSF Spartanii Sportul in Moldova, Chibueze was named in the Moldovan League’s Team of the Week after his debut performance in a goalless draw against Dacia.
In his first game, Chibueze played as one of the midfielders, completing an impressive 92% of his passes. He created two chances, made two key passes, successfully delivered three out of four long balls, and contributed one interception. Although he didn’t complete his dribble attempt and won only one out of six ground duels, his solid performance still earned him a spot in the league’s top team of the week.
Before moving to Europe, Chibueze had already shown his talent on both domestic and international levels. Earlier this year, he played for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles at the African Games in Ghana, where he scored two goals and assisted once in three matches. He also made waves in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season, scoring a stunning long-range goal for Enyimba in a 2-1 win over Shooting Stars.
Signed by Kanu from his Papilo Academy, Chibueze is known for his free-kick prowess and ability to score under pressure. He’s seen as one of the next big talents in Nigerian football, and fans are eager to see how he progresses during his time in Europe, both with Spartanii Sportul and on the international stage.