It was like good music to the ears when Tyronne Ebuehi accepted the call-up to play for the Super Eagles back in 2017. The promising full-back was born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father and a Dutch mother. He started his professional career with Dutch top-flight club ADO Den Haag in 2014.
His impressive performances in Eredevisie prompted SL Benfica to secure his signature on a free transfer just before his participation in the 2018 World Cup with Nigeria. Since the move to Portugal two years ago, Tyronne Ebuehi has failed to make an official first-team appearance for the club, becoming almost a forgotten man for both club and country.
There was a growing belief that Ebuehi could be the man to solve the right-back issues of the Nigerian national team. He started his career as a winger before being redeveloped to a right-back. This is evident in his style of play as he likes to maraud the right flank at any given opportunity, providing a threat out wide with his direct running and crosses. He is also solid defensively, strong and calculative of his tackle but gets exposed occasionally at the back. That is not much of a big deal for a modern-day full-back.
Shortly after the World Cup, where he made a cameo appearance against Iceland, Ebuehi joined up with his new teammates in Portugal. He came on at the 72nd minute in a 1-1 friendly stalemate against Vitoria Setubal.
“I have to work hard, train well, and we will see what happens next. Being in the first team is my main goal, but I have to work hard in training.” Ebuehi stated during his team’s preparation for the 2018-2019 season.
“The quality of my teammates is way above my previous club where I played, but it is what I expected because Benfica is a great club and has a lot of good players,” he admittedly added.
You could tell from his words that the player was buzzing and determined to succeed in his new surroundings, but unfortunately, things don’t always go the way we plan them and disaster could strike at any time. Disaster struck. The then 22-year-old suffered a serious knee injury in a pre-season game against Juventus in July, which ruled him completely out of the 2018-2019 season.
He’s had setbacks since returning and has been playing catch up in terms of fitness ever since. This has seen him failed to make his Benfica bow since he joined.
It has been a torrid spell in Portugal for the Nigerian International. Even when deemed fit first-team minutes would not come in the 2019-2020 season as he had to play for Benfica’s reserve team.
Ebuehi has been moved on loan to FC Twente, with a permanent option included in the deal. A move back to the Eredevisie where it all started could be the best option for all parties involved and a chance for the player to revive his career. Still only 24 years old, there is still enough time for the player to fulfill on his promise.
