Etebo opens up on injury woes

Super Eagles midfielder Peter Etebo has broken his silence regarding the injury setbacks that plagued his previous season, as he prepares for a fresh start with Turkish club Genclerbirligi. The injuries have extended his absence from the Nigerian national team to 1,345 days, significantly disrupting what was once a promising international career.

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No one wants to experience the difficulties we faced last season. We are continuing our preparations accordingly.

Genclerbirligi narrowly avoided relegation from the Turkish Super Lig during the 2025/26 season. Etebo, however, was largely sidelined after rupturing his Achilles tendon in training, an injury that sidelined him for nearly the entire campaign. Subsequent muscle problems further delayed his rehabilitation. His sole competitive appearance of the season was on August 9, playing 42 minutes before being substituted in a defeat, concluding the season with just one appearance, no goals, and no assists.

Reflecting on the past season, Etebo acknowledged the challenges faced by the club. "No one wants to experience the difficulties we faced last season. We are continuing our preparations accordingly," he said, per Sporanki. "If we want to remember last year, we left behind a very complicated season with many coaching and presidency changes and elections. But no matter what, we managed to stay in the league, even if it was in the last match."

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If we want to remember last year, we left behind a very complicated season with many coaching and presidency changes and elections. But no matter what, we managed to stay in the league, even if it was in the last match.

Etebo also spoke about the club's rich history and urged supporters to be patient as the team embarks on a new campaign. "My message to the fans is this: of course, I know they do not want us to succeed," he stated. "Last year was a difficult year. But when you look at it, there is a 103-year-old club here, a club with a tremendous history, a club that has been successful and is hungry for more success. But, of course, it is up to us, the players, to make it happen. I promise we will do our best."

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My message to the fans is this: of course, I know they do not want us to succeed.

While Etebo focuses on his club career, his past contributions to the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, are still remembered. He has earned 44 senior caps and was part of the team that reached the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he became the first Nigerian player to score four goals in a single Olympic match.

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Last year was a difficult year. But when you look at it, there is a 103-year-old club here, a club with a tremendous history, a club that has been successful and is hungry for more success. But, of course, it is up to us, the players, to make it happen. I promise we will do our best.