For years now, ever since Robbie Keane's skills in front of goal began to diminish, Ireland have waited desperately for another goalscoring threat to emerge. We thought it might be Aaron Connolly after that brace against Spurs. We hoped it could be Troy Parrott based on some of the skill he showed for Spurs and the Ireland U21s. But as Stephen Kenny's Ireland project picked up further momentum tonight during Ireland v Belgium, it became even clearer the Cheio Ogbene looks like the lynchpin, the person who makes the magic happen.
On the pitch, Ogbene plays like the living embodiment of Stephen Kenny's footballing philosophy. He is energetic and relentlessly positive. Ogbene gave the following glowing endorsement of Ireland's performance against Belgium after the game, but it could have been Kenny speaking:
"You can see us in the last five minutes. How high we were pressing. That's the kind of style we want to do. High energy. High intensity. Against the world number one."
His goal and assist tonight again proved that his club career seems certain to venture beyond League One. Ogbene has been brilliant for Rotherham this season as they challenge for promotion to the Championship. Paul Warne employs Ogbene primarily as a right wing back, covering 11k a game up and down the flank. Interestingly, the Irish coaching staff have turned Ogbene into a forward. His scoring rate of one goal in every 2 games is proof that he is thriving up for Ireland.
After the match while speaking to Sky Sports, Ogbene said he sees himself as a natural forward but praised the Irish coaching staff in preparing him to play the role.
We were here for a week. We done a lot of work in that week. We got a lot of work in. This is the natural position that I enjoy the most. The coaches here, fair play to them, they do a lot of work with me to get me fresh again in front of goal. I'm just so happy honestly.
Stephen Kenny spoke of Ogbene's tactical evolution in his press conference after the game.
"This is a spectacular start to his international career. To score three goals, two in qualifiers and one against the world’s number one team. He has to play a different role with his club at wing-back. We don’t see him as that. We see him as a forward player."
Speaking to the FAI's media team after the game, Ogbene discussed how Ireland assistant Keith Andrews advised him to 'make himself a nuisance in the penalty box'.
Ireland v Belgium: Ogbene's man of the match interview
Absolutely love this guy 💚
“It’s easier to lose than to fight and get something out of the game, and we fought to the end…” 👊
The @carlsberg POTM | @EdozieOgbene 🏆#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #WeAre100 pic.twitter.com/sK7nqkiPkt— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 26, 2022
He's only played six games for Ireland, but the 24-year-old has the air of a future Ireland captain. His success in the green jersey is also the byproduct of the shrewd work of Ireland's manager. Ireland lacked a natural goalscoring threat, so Stephen Kenny and co invented one.
SEE ALSO: Ireland Player Ratings As Kenny's Side Rescue Deserved Belgium Draw
