Ogbene ‘owes’ Kenny after first Ireland goal
Chiedozie Ogbene has thanked Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny for believing in him after marking his elevation to the international stage with a first senior goal for his country.
The 24-year-old Rotherham winger came off the bench in Baku to score the final goal in a 3-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Azerbaijan which finally ended Kenny’s wait for a first competitive victory at the 13th time of asking.
It was just Ogbene’s second cap with his first in a friendly draw with Hungary in June making him the first African-born player to represent Ireland at senior level.
Asked about his goal, which came in the 90th minute at the Baki Olimpiya Stadium, he said: “When I scored my first goal, it was overwhelming, I’ve made a lot of sacrifices, my family and my friends.
“I owe it to the gaffer for believing in me because the squad we have, anybody could have come on at any moment and for him to believe in me and bring me on, it was a special night for me and my family, and the team and the nation.”
Ogbene is one of seven players in the squad currently plying his trade in League One and he admits the step up to international football is significant.
However, he is thrilled to have been given the chance to take it and is determined to reward Kenny for his faith. He said: “I believe in myself, I believe in my abilities and I guess that I haven’t come here by luck.”
Ogbene’s goal proved to be the icing on the cake after Callum Robinson’s first-half double put the visitors in the driving seat.