Ogbene on being wiser after Achilles injury as he is set to make his first Ireland appearance since October 2024.
Chiedozie Ogbene, a winger for the Republic of Ireland, claimed that his nine-month absence due to an Achilles tendon injury allowed him to “see life in a different perspective”.
In October of last year, the 28-year-old suffered the injury while playing for Ipswich Town in a 4-3 Premier League loss to Brentford.
Since the Tractor Boys were demoted, he was forced to miss the remainder of the season, but he claims that the experience helped him develop as a player and person and that he would go through it all again.
Ogbene and his injury experience
“Knowing what I know now, if I go back nine months I would rupture my Achilles again. I am a lot wiser now, there was a lot of knowledge I acquired being injured,” he said.
“I’m a different person, I don’t fear many things now and I’m a lot more grateful.”
Ogbene, who has since joined Sheffield United, a team in the Championship, claimed that he spent “a lot of hours getting to know my body” and “watching clips” in order to get back to playing at a higher level both tactically and physically for this summer’s preseason.
“Watching a lot of football for nine months, you learn a lot more. When you’re immersed in it, it is 100 miles an hour and the stuff the manager says you don’t really understand. But when you’re out of it and watching from the side it’s a really good education,” he said.
“I spoke to John Egan and Gavin Bazunu, who had previous Achilles [injuries]. I spoke to them about their journeys so I made sure I put those things in my rehab early, and I had a very smooth and successful rehab.
“I’m so glad it has paid off. I had a wonderful pre-season and my body has felt as fit and strong as it has ever been, so I am excited.”
The road ahead
As the Republic of Ireland starts their World Cup qualifying campaign, Ogbene will be looking to increase his total of 24 caps during this international window.
Ogbene is aiming for two victories to help them launch their Group F campaign, and they will host Hungary in Dublin before travelling to play Armenia on Tuesday.
“I hope everyone goes in with the mentality that we want to get six points. That’s how the manager sees it and that’s how I see it. I want us to get six, minimum four, but I don’t want to sit here and say I want four points,” Ogbene added.
“I think we can beat Hungary if we do the right things and we can beat Armenia. The way the guys are training, we want six points.
“I’m very happy with what I saw [in training] and I have a really good feeling about this camp.”