Rarely have we ever heard a footballer talk in such a philosophical way
Republic of Ireland winger Chiedozie Ogbene insists if he could turn back time, he would rupture his Achilles again, given what he has learnt about himself and football during his injury absence.
In a refreshing, philosophical interview before Ireland’s World Cup Qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia, the 28-year-old touched on a range of subjects, including the mental toll of his injury, how he has become a better footballer by watching from the sidelines, and his community work bringing him closer with his sister, who has Down syndrome.
Ogbene left Ipswich on transfer deadline day to join Sheffield United on loan, having spent much of the 2024/25 Premier League season out with the injury.
Ireland host Hungary at the Aviva on Saturday, before a trip to Armenia on Tuesday in their World Cup Qualifying group, which also features Portugal.
Ogbene on: What the injury absence taught him
During his injury absence, Ogbene’s partner gave birth to their son, giving the winger time to spend with his family, which ultimately helped him heal mentally and physically.
“Being out for injured for nine months means you see life in a different perspective. I think I’m more focused on the right things in life.
“You appreciate life for what it is. When my Achilles ruptured, I always wanted to know the answer. I spent a lot of hours trying to get to know my body. There’s some things you can’t control, and you learn watching a lot of football for nine months, you start to understand it a bit more.
“I was a bit emotional, disappointed, I just didn’t know why. But you get over it. I just switched my mentality. A lot of stuff happened while I was injured – my partner and I had a child, so my perspective on life changed, and I was just dialled in on life.
“The first two weeks was difficult, I always want to know the answer of why things go wrong, but some things you can’t control.
“I was able to have a better bond with my partner, be there for the pregnancy, and that helped me heal.
“I spent a lot of time offering myself to the community in Ipswich, I became a disability ambassador, so I was able to see life in a different perspective and offer myself. I learned a lot.
“Knowing what I know now, if I could go back nine months, I would rupture my achilles again.
“I’m a lot wiser now, spending time in the gym, learning my body, I feel I was maybe underdeveloped. There’s a lot of knowledge I acquired.”
Ogbene on: Becoming a better footballer… without playing
Ogbene insists that watching from the sidelines made him understand his role as a winger more, and made him realise that playing for entertainment only was not his role.
“When you’re in it, it’s 100 miles an hour. Maybe the stuff the manager says, you don’t always understand it. When you’re watching it from the side, it’s a really good education. Watching the game, going to meetings, you understand what the manager is seeing in a different light.
“When you’re in it, when you’re tired, emotional, you don’t get to process all these things. It was a good time for me to grow. I spent a lot of time watching clips while I was away, watching the team play, and as soon as I came back I was trying to implement that.
“I spent hours in the training ground, I was leaving 5, half 5, and it was for the greater good. I had a wonderful pre season and I feel as strong and fit as I ever did.
“I think as a winger, we all want to look good. Watching clips now, it’s all about efficiency. Sometimes I’ll be on a pitch and I don’t get enough touches, I’ll be saying to the manager: ‘I’m not getting enough touches’. He’ll say: ‘Be patient’.
“Watching clips, you realise maybe you have two touches, two assists. That’s more important than 10 touches, 10 step overs or a back heel. But when you’re young, you maybe think it’s about entertainment. At the end of the day, it’s a job, you need to do your job, you need to win. Now I have separated entertainment and efficiency by watching and understanding.
“You understand the frustration from the fans because they’re looking to win. Sometimes you want the applause, but you get the applause from doing the right thing. I was rewinding my clips and my teammates, what they’re doing, thinking why is the manager overreacting on these minor details. Now if I’m, on the pitch, I’m playing for efficiency. I need to be more dangerous, I need to make crosses, all these minor details are very important to be at the level you want to be.”
Ogbene on: Working with disabled children strengthening bond with sister
During his injury absence, Ogbene spent time in the community in Ipswich giving football classes to disabled children. He insists the experience gave him greater perspective on life, and brought him closer with his sister, who has Down syndrome.
“I’m a different type of person now. I don’t fear a lot of things in life any more. The journey I had was a unique journey. My relationship with my partner, the kids, knowing what we mean to these kids.
“Obviously my sister has Down syndrome, so I was able to connect with her as well, from leaning and going to these community appearances. It was a massive year of development for me on and off the pitch. Who cares about a bad training session? When you see these kids, I train better now, you don’t dwell on the past. I feel like I’m more efficient in what I’m doing now. So it was a great journey for me.
“Some people do soccer schools, some people do educational classes, I just happened to go to a training session and it was with kids with all disabilities. I went the first time and the second time and there were kids that I didn’t even think they had a disability. Some things you can’t see.
“Some things I can relate to, growing up gap with a sister with Down syndrome. I kept going, I kept learning different things, how to communicate, understanding, thinking: ‘I’ve seen that in my sister, I didn’t know what it means.’ I was able to take that home, understand it.
“These classes were amazing, I was picking up stuff I’ve seen before, stuff I’ve lived at home. One kid said to me: ‘No matter what, you’re still one of our favourites.’ I almost cried. In my head, I’m just a little kid coming to do my job. But we mean a lot to them.
“So I have to be the best version of myself because you don’t know the lives you’re going to change. Being there for 30 minutes, seeing the kids going home to the parents, saying: ‘Thank you so much, you changed their lives.’ It’s so important to offer yourself, and it was really good for me.
“I always had a good relationship with my sister, she calls me every day, but you tend to appreciate things more. As you get older now, you appreciate what she is, you appreciate what she does for you, she texts me every day. She would say: ‘You’re the best footballer in the world.’ I would laugh, but to her, that’s what I am. I’m not just a brother, I’m the best of whatever.
“I don’t wanna get emotional but when they say that stuff, it really means a lot to me, knowing that I am impacting her life.”
