Victor Anichebe
Encyclopedia
Victor Chinedu Anichebe (born 27 April 1988 in Lagos
, Lagos State
) is a Nigeria
n footballer who plays for Everton
. He has been described as a fast and powerful player, in the mould of a "traditional" centre forward, although has played on the right of midfield.
aged one, his family lived initially in Toxteth
before settling in Crosby. He is a cousin of former professional football player Iffy Onuora
, Olympian Anyika Onuora
and professional basketball player Chiz Onuora.
4th round tie against Chelsea
, replacing Simon Davies. Victor signed his first professional contract with Everton in April 2006, putting pen to paper on a deal to keep him at Goodison Park
until 2008.
His second Everton appearance came on 22 April 2006 when he was brought on with five minutes to go against Birmingham City
. In May 2006, Anichebe picked up the 'Reserve Player of the season Award' for the 2005–06 season. On 7 May 2006, he scored his first Premier League
goal against West Bromwich Albion
. The 18-year-old turned his man and shot through the legs of Albion keeper, Tomasz Kuszczak
.
Anichebe quickly became a fan favourite at Everton as he topped the 2006–07 pre-season scoring chart with four goals in six appearances including a brace at Bury
. Anichebe scored his first two Premier League goals of the 2006–07 campaign in a 3–0 win against Newcastle United
on 30 December 2006. On 2 May 2007, it was announced that Anichebe had extended his current contract with Everton until the summer of 2011.
In the 2007–08 season, the teenage striker struck four times in the UEFA Cup
, against Metalist Kharkiv, Greek side Larissa
, German's FC Nuremberg and SK Brann of Norway after coming on as a late second half substitute in many of the games. He was dubbed Everton's European "Secret Weapon" by the fans and media because of his success in the competition. His success in the UEFA Cup is believed to be because of European defenders inabilities to deal with his fast-pace and strength, eulogised by American commentators as having "blistering pace".
On 7 May 2008, Anichebe was voted by Everton fans to be the young player of the season for 2007/08. Although a striker, manager David Moyes has occasionally called upon Anichebe to play in the right midfield position.
On 22 February 2009, Anichebe was the victim of a horror tackle by Kevin Nolan
during Everton's Premier League match with Newcastle United. This kept him out of action for almost a year but he made his return to the pitch on 27 January 2010 in Everton's 2–0 victory over Sunderland
.
He scored his first goal after the injury in Everton's 2–2 draw with Birmingham
on 13 March 2010. On 20 March 2010, Anichebe left the field with a hip injury during the match against Bolton after a challenge from Paul Robinson. On 20 January 2011, he signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Everton along with fellow teammate Seamus Coleman
.
on 26 March 2008 in an Olympic games qualifying match against South Africa. Anichebe came off the bench to score the final goal in a 3–0 victory for Nigeria.
He made his first start for Nigeria alongside fellow Everton player Yakubu
in a friendly against Austria on 27 May 2008 being replaced at half time.
He was selected to represent Nigeria at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
and on 10 August 2008 he scored Nigeria's second goal in their match against Japan
. Nigeria eventually reached the final, which they lost 1–0 to Argentina, with Anichebe receiving a silver medal.
He was not selected on the final 23-man roster for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa despite a good performance during a friendly against Saudi Arabia. He scored his first senior team goal in the March 2011 friendly against Kenya
.
|2005–06
| rowspan="10" style="text-align:center;"|Everton
| rowspan="10" style="text-align:center;"|Premier League
|2||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||3||1
|-
|2006–07
|19||3||1||0||3||1||0||0||23||4
|-
|2007–08
|27||1||1||0||4||0||9||4||40||5
|-
|2008–09
|17||1||3||0||0||0||2||0||22||1
|-
|2009–10
|11||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||11||1
|-
|2010–11
|15||0||3||0||0||0||0||0||18||0
|-
|2011–12
|1||0||0||0||1||1||0||0||2||1
|-
! colspan="3" | Everton
!93||7||9||0||8||2||11||4||121||13
|-
! colspan="3" | Career total
!93||7||9||0||8||2||11||4||121||13
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, Lagos State
Lagos State
Lagos State is an administrative division of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country. The smallest in area of Nigeria's states, Lagos State is the most populous state in Nigeria and arguably the most economically important state of the country and west Africa, containing Lagos, the...
) is a Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n footballer who plays for Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. He has been described as a fast and powerful player, in the mould of a "traditional" centre forward, although has played on the right of midfield.
Early life
Anichebe was born in Nigeria but moved to LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
aged one, his family lived initially in Toxteth
Toxteth
Toxteth is an inner city area of Liverpool, England. Located to the south of the city, Toxteth is bordered by Liverpool City Centre, Dingle, Edge Hill, Wavertree and Aigburth.-Description:...
before settling in Crosby. He is a cousin of former professional football player Iffy Onuora
Iffy Onuora
Ifem "Iffy" Onuora is a coach a former professional footballer born in Scotland of Nigerian descent.He was recently the head coach of the Ethiopia national team...
, Olympian Anyika Onuora
Anyika Onuora
Anyika Onuora is a British sprint athlete who specialises in the 100 and 200 metres, and also the 4×100 metres relay.Her first major junior international competition was the 2003 European Athletics Junior Championships, where she finished fifth in the 100 m event and won a silver medal with...
and professional basketball player Chiz Onuora.
Club career
Anichebe made his reserve team debut as a 15 year-old and his first team debut less than two years later on 27 February 2006, as a substitute in the 89th minute of Everton's FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
4th round tie against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, replacing Simon Davies. Victor signed his first professional contract with Everton in April 2006, putting pen to paper on a deal to keep him at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
until 2008.
His second Everton appearance came on 22 April 2006 when he was brought on with five minutes to go against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. In May 2006, Anichebe picked up the 'Reserve Player of the season Award' for the 2005–06 season. On 7 May 2006, he scored his first Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
goal against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
. The 18-year-old turned his man and shot through the legs of Albion keeper, Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Polish national team.Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before...
.
Anichebe quickly became a fan favourite at Everton as he topped the 2006–07 pre-season scoring chart with four goals in six appearances including a brace at Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
. Anichebe scored his first two Premier League goals of the 2006–07 campaign in a 3–0 win against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
on 30 December 2006. On 2 May 2007, it was announced that Anichebe had extended his current contract with Everton until the summer of 2011.
In the 2007–08 season, the teenage striker struck four times in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, against Metalist Kharkiv, Greek side Larissa
Larissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
, German's FC Nuremberg and SK Brann of Norway after coming on as a late second half substitute in many of the games. He was dubbed Everton's European "Secret Weapon" by the fans and media because of his success in the competition. His success in the UEFA Cup is believed to be because of European defenders inabilities to deal with his fast-pace and strength, eulogised by American commentators as having "blistering pace".
On 7 May 2008, Anichebe was voted by Everton fans to be the young player of the season for 2007/08. Although a striker, manager David Moyes has occasionally called upon Anichebe to play in the right midfield position.
On 22 February 2009, Anichebe was the victim of a horror tackle by Kevin Nolan
Kevin Nolan
Kevin Anthony Jance Nolan is an English professional footballer who plays for and is the current club captain of West Ham United in the Football League Championship. An attacking midfielder, he has represented England at under-21 level....
during Everton's Premier League match with Newcastle United. This kept him out of action for almost a year but he made his return to the pitch on 27 January 2010 in Everton's 2–0 victory over Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
.
He scored his first goal after the injury in Everton's 2–2 draw with Birmingham
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
on 13 March 2010. On 20 March 2010, Anichebe left the field with a hip injury during the match against Bolton after a challenge from Paul Robinson. On 20 January 2011, he signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Everton along with fellow teammate Seamus Coleman
Séamus Coleman
Séamus Coleman is an Irish footballer who plays for Everton and the Republic of Ireland.- Sligo Rovers :Originally a Gaelic footballer, Coleman was spotted by Sligo Rovers when he lined up for his hometown association football side, St. Catherine’s of Killybegs, in a friendly match against Sligo...
.
International career
Anichebe made his debut for NigeriaNigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
on 26 March 2008 in an Olympic games qualifying match against South Africa. Anichebe came off the bench to score the final goal in a 3–0 victory for Nigeria.
He made his first start for Nigeria alongside fellow Everton player Yakubu
Yakubu
Yakubu was ruler of the Hausa city-state of Gobir from 1795 to 1801. Succeeding Bawa, Yakubu waged a number of military campaigns. His reign is also noted for a deterioration of relations between the Hausa elite of Gobir and Fulani Islamic reformer Usman dan Fodio, who would soon oppose them in...
in a friendly against Austria on 27 May 2008 being replaced at half time.
He was selected to represent Nigeria at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held in Beijing and several other cities in the People's Republic of China from 6 August to 23 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23 teams to participate...
and on 10 August 2008 he scored Nigeria's second goal in their match against Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
. Nigeria eventually reached the final, which they lost 1–0 to Argentina, with Anichebe receiving a silver medal.
He was not selected on the final 23-man roster for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa despite a good performance during a friendly against Saudi Arabia. He scored his first senior team goal in the March 2011 friendly against Kenya
Kenya national football team
The Kenya national football team, nicknamed the Harambee Stars, is the national team of Kenya and is controlled by Football Kenya Limited, the governing body of football in Kenya. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
.
Statistics
|-|2005–06
| rowspan="10" style="text-align:center;"|Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
| rowspan="10" style="text-align:center;"|Premier League
|2||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||3||1
|-
|2006–07
|19||3||1||0||3||1||0||0||23||4
|-
|2007–08
|27||1||1||0||4||0||9||4||40||5
|-
|2008–09
|17||1||3||0||0||0||2||0||22||1
|-
|2009–10
|11||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||11||1
|-
|2010–11
|15||0||3||0||0||0||0||0||18||0
|-
|2011–12
|1||0||0||0||1||1||0||0||2||1
|-
! colspan="3" | Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
!93||7||9||0||8||2||11||4||121||13
|-
! colspan="3" | Career total
!93||7||9||0||8||2||11||4||121||13