Ogbene's Achilles odyssey offered new life perspective

Chiedozie Ogbene is back in the Republic of Ireland squad following an extended stay on the sidelines due to an injury that accounted for the majority of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

Ogbene had finally made it to the top flight, first with Luton Town, before signing for Ipswich Town, while maintaining a regular starting slot for Ireland, but was then ruled out for the season in the early stages of the campaign due to a ruptured Achilles.

Successful surgery in November 2024 set Ogbene on the long road back to full fitness, and he returned in time for pre-season, securing enough gametime for the now-relegated Ipswich side to secure a call-up to Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad.

However, just before Ogbene could join back up with his international colleagues, a deadline day loan transfer saw the winger move, once more, from Portman Road to fellow Championship side Sheffield United.

Ten months on from going under the knife, Ogbene is back to full fitness, and thankfully, without losing any of his ferocious speed, which was a concern throughout the recovery period.

The same player, perhaps, but Ogbene believes that the nine months out have made him a better person, with a whole new perspective on life.

So much so that the former Cork City and Limerick man stated that he would go through it all again to relive the off-pitch experience that occurred throughout his rehabilitation.

Working in the community, Ogbene took on the role of disability ambassador for Ipswich, which brought him into regular contact with children through educational programmes and football camps.

"Firstly, you appreciate life for what it is," said Ogbene, speaking to the media after Ireland training.

"When my Achilles ruptured, I spent a lot of hours trying to get to know my body. You appreciate things like that and there’s some things you can’t control.

"Watching football from the outside for nine months you get to understand football better. When you’re immersed in that, it's 100 miles per hour.

"Maybe you don’t understand the stuff the manager says but when out of it watching from the sidelines, there’s a real education purpose to it. I spent a lot of time watching clips. As soon as I came back, I tried to implement it in my game."

Ogbene also spoke to fellow professionals about the injury to seek their advice, before fully committing to the process to get back to his best.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the player who had his low moments, particularly in the early stages.

"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 had a wonderful pre-season, my body feels as fit and strong as it’s ever been, so I am very excited.

"I’ll be honest with you, the first two, three weeks, I was very emotional. I think I was more emotional because I felt I let the club down. I had been in the club maybe three or four weeks and I ruptured my Achilles.

"My mentality is when people give me a chance I always want to offer myself for them. I was emotional and disappointed, and I didn’t know why. But I got over it and switched my mentality.

"A lot happened when I was injured. My partner and I had a child, we have a son, so my perspective on life changed. I was dialled into life. I have a better bond with my partner, and could be there for the pregnancy, and that could help me heal.

"And I offered myself to the community in Ipswich and became disability ambassador. I was able to see life in a different perspective and I learned a lot.

"Knowing what I know now, if I go back nine months I would rupture my Achilles again."

Speaking about his move to Sheffield United, Ogbene said that he was concerned about not getting enough time on the pitch and he felt that it was putting his Ireland career in jeopardy.

As it happened, Ipswich signed fellow Ireland attacker and winger, coincidentally, Kasey McAteer, which added to the competition for places, but now with the move in place, Ogbene believes it will be beneficial to both players and as a result, the country.

"When Kasey came I thought he was a good signing for the club, but I’ve always wanted to play games. Selfish of me but I wanted to be getting minutes.

"It wasn’t just about Kasey. Regardless of whoever came in, I spoke to the manager to gauge where he sees things. I just wasn’t happy not playing as many minutes especially after being out for so long and I didn’t want to lose the opportunity to be here [with Ireland].

"I don’t want to put Kasey in a difficult position where both wingers are competing against each other for minutes and none of us are here. It was best that I find minutes to play regular and Kasey plays regular. It strengthens the Ireland squad. That was what I was looking for."

Ogbene also explained how his community work at Ipswich really hit home due to the fact that his sister, Chibuzo, has Down syndrome, and he began to understand things that he was oblivious to growing up.

"It was something I could relate to, growing up with a sister with Down syndrome, so I kept going and kept learning different ways to communicate and understand.

"When we were growing up, my sister and I, we fought together, she had a tough life like we did, she didn’t get anything special which was good for her, she was able to feel what we felt. When I went to these kids, I was able to see things and pick up on things I have seen before, having lived at home.

"She texts me every day and I wouldn’t say I take it for granted, but now that text message… she lives with my older sister and my older sister says that she has been smiling all day. That makes me happy.

"Sometimes I would have thought I will call her later in the week, but every day I call her now. It changes her life, and I can hear it in the tone of her voice.

"It is really important to reach out to your family, no matter what you say to them, even if it is just 'hi'. I moved away from Cork and Ireland and she would call me asking when I was coming home. She just wants to see me, and she sees me for what I am. It is unconditional love."

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