Former Nigeria U-20 midfielder Onuche Ogbelu has clinched the Tunisian Ligue 1 title with Esperance de Tunis in his debut season.
The 21-year-old Nigerian played in bits as the club secured their 33rd championship, reinforcing their status as the most decorated club in Tunisian football club history.
During the regular season, Esperance dominated Group B of Ligue 1, amassing 32 points after 12 rounds to qualify for the championship playoffs.
In the playoffs, which featured six teams, Esperance topped a competitive group consisting of Monastir, CS Sfaxien, Stade Tunisien, ES Sahel, and Club Africain.
Esperance emerged as champions with 23 points, a significant eight points ahead of second-placed Monastir.
Debut season at Esperance underlines Onuche Ogbelu's potential
Ogbelu made 19 appearances across all competitions for Esperance this season. His contributions included nine matches in the CAF Champions League, five in Ligue 1, three in the Africa Football League, and two in the Ligue 1 Championship playoffs.
Before joining Esperance, Ogbelu played for Nasarawa United in the Nigeria Premier Football League, having risen through the ranks at Fosla Academy in Abuja.
His potential was recognized early on, as he was included in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast last January, although he did not make the final cut.
Ogbelu's promising career includes being part of Ladan Bosso’s squad at the WAFU B U20 tournament in Niamey in 2022, where Nigeria emerged victorious.
He was also a part of the Flying Eagles squad at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, helping the team secure a third-place finish and qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina even though he failed to make the cut to the World Cup proper.
Hailed as one of Nigeria's most promising young defensive midfielders, Onuche Ogbelu aims for continued success with Esperance de Tunis in the upcoming CAF Champions League and Tunisian Ligue 1 seasons.
