At a time when some stars failed to impress; a youngster leapt in the
2012 season and duly took his chance in the colours of Enugu Rangers.
Chikeluba Francis Ofoedu is a Nigerian forward, born in Enugu, on 12th
November, 1992.
"Pato" as he is fondly called by fans and technocrats of the game made
defenders look ordinary in the grassroot level of football in Enugu.
Despite his young age and size, his coaches were never afraid to
entrust him with tasking responsibilities during key games.
Chikeluba Ofoedu is the type of player you only need to watch once to
be impressed, he’s obviously having a great run of form at the moment.
Ofoedu is a quite stocky, athletically built player. Very mobile and
ceases every little opportunity to mount tireless pressure on opposing
defenders. His ball control is terrific, and his ability to hold unto
the ball is also good, his footwork is also good. A striking thing
about this player is the aura of confidence and self-belief.
He made waves as the talisman of University Teaching Hospital Football
Club, banging in the goals during his football apprenticeship, in the
amateur cadre. He was twice the topscorer in the Nigeria Nationwide
League 2.
In January 2012, Chikeluba Ofoedu and Brendan Ogbu travelled to
Tunisia for a two-week trial at Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
None of the players won a contract at the Tunisian side and Ogbu
signed for Heartland FC instead.
His talents was noticed by Enugu Rangers' scouts and he was given the
chance to impress. The idea was to replace him with the more
experienced Ogbu.
Ofoedu is a “good finisher” who dribbles very well, takes on defenders
with reckless abandon and can shoot very well with both feet.
Furthermore, he was described as an “all-round attacker who takes
risks to find the back of the net in every game he plays.
He made his Nigeria Premier League bow against Kaduna United. Although
he fired blanks, he earned rave reviews by fans and pundits of the
game. It wouldn't take too long as the fair-skinned starlet, netted a
brace against Kano Pillars in Enugu.
He continued his blistering form and was voted the best player for the
month of March, alongside team gaffer Okey Emordi.
Chikeluba Ofoedu became a sensation during the first 12 rounds of the
Nigeria Premier League 2012. He was the top scorer at Enugu Rangers,
with 6 goals, an average of 0.5 per match.
Before the mid-season, speculations were rife that Sochaux and Etoile
du Sahel had sent scouts to observe the fast-rising lad during a
league match Rangers played against archrivals, Shooting Stars SC.
His hardwork was duly rewarded when Rosenborg took him on a 14-day
trial, on the recommendation of John Chibuike, his childhood pal. He
scored 6 goals during the trial period, but it was not enough to
convince the Eliteserien giants.
During this period, the Flying Antelopes missed his inspiration
upfront, as they were toppled by Kano Pillars as league leaders.
He returned home to help Rangers in the Cup and NPL quests. The
fleet-footed forward grabbed two goals in the 2012 NFF Fed Cup.
In September 3rd 2012, the management of the Enugu-based outfit
declared that the striker had gone AWOL.
News filtered-in from Turkey that the tricky Pato had penned a deal at
1461 Trabzon.
He made a goalscoring debut in the colours of the TTF 1 side, in a
league match against Adanaspor.13 minutes after coming on for Mustafa,
the former UNTH and Enugu Rangers attacker notched the equaliser, in
the 58th minute. The soft-spoken forward known by admirers as ''Pato''
warmed himself to the hearts of 1461 Trabzon fans with the winning
strike in the 65th minute of action. He was voted MVP at the end of
the tension-socked match.
He also highlighted his importance with some cup goals notably, a
blinder against Galatasaray.
His excellent performance catapulted 1461 Trabon to a place in one of
the promotion slots, as only four points seperated them from the top
spot. They eventually missed out.
Though he impressed , with 7 goals in 25 matches, the leadership of
1461 Trabzon did not offer him a permanent contract at the end of the
2012 - 2013 campaign, a surprise to observers of the game, after his
brilliance.
During summer transfers, a statement on the official website of
Turkish First League side Karsiyaka announced the signing of free
agent Chikeluba Ofoedu.
Pato, is regarded as the next Obafemi Martins and a future Super Eagles.
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