Doctor Dreams to Football Dreams: Chiedozie Ogbene’s Unlikely Path

When it comes to the Republic of Ireland men’s football team, one name stands out: Chiedozie Ogbene. This article delves into his remarkable journey from a young boy with dreams of becoming a doctor to a standout footballer whose name is now etched in history.

As a child, Chiedozie had little interest in sports but loved watching his older brothers play football. His father, a nurse trained in Kuwait, and his mother, also a nurse, provided a comfortable upbringing for Chiedozie and his brothers, Uche and Cody.

Despite his initial disinterest in the game, Chiedozie’s story is one of unexpected passion and achievement. He has made history as the first Nigerian-born player to represent Ireland’s national team, earning tremendous support and respect along the way.

Let’s dive into the full story of Chiedozie Ogbene and explore how he became a football sensation.

Our Chiedozie Ogbene Biography tells you Facts about his Childhood Story, Early Life, Parents – Emmanuel Ogbene (Father), Christiana Ogbene (Mother), Siblings – Brothers (Uche and Cody), Family Background, Girlfriend (Sandra Hanratty), etc.

This article on Ogbene also explains the detail of his Nigerian Family Origins, Ethnicity, Religion, Home town, Education, personality and lifestyle, etc.

Preamble:

Our version of Chiedozie Ogbene’s Bio begins by unveiling notable events of his boyhood years. Next, we’ll explain his Nigerian heritage and early career highlights. Finally, we’ll tell you how the dribbler rose to become one of the promising talents in the EFL Championship.

We hope to whet your biography appetite as you read this Chiedozie Ogbene’s Biography piece. To do that, let’s show you the gallery that tells his story, from his boyhood to his national team rise.

Yes, everyone knows of his sprint speed which has earned him the moniker, speed dribbler. He is a winger who can create chances or score goals when his team needs him.

Despite his goal-scoring streak, many fans know little about his memoir, which is quite interesting. Without further ado, let’s dive into the meat and potatoes.

Chiedozie Ogbene Childhood Story:

For Biography starters, the speedster bears the nickname Dozie. Chiedozie Ogbene, a full-blown Taurus, was born on the 1st day of May 1997 to his Father, Emmanuel Ogbene and Mother, Christiana Ogbene, in Lagos, Nigeria.

He is the third of the five children born of the union between his parents. Interestingly, he’s got two brothers (Uche and Cody), as well as two sisters. Before going any further in this biography, let’s introduce you to Chiedozie Ogbene’s parents.

As you already know, they are the reason he enjoyed a comfortable upbringing in a convenient environment. Pictured below is the photo of one of his parents (Christiana).

Growing-Up Years:

The young lad had a splendid childhood with his older brothers, Uche and Cody Ogbene, as well as his younger sisters. He spent a fragment of his early days in the country of his birth before his Family moved to Ireland.

As a little boy, Chiedozie wasn’t a fan of sports. Nonetheless, he enjoyed watching his older brothers play football. It wasn’t until his move to the Emerald Isle (Ireland) that he picked interest in the game.

After completing his school assignments, the young lad would join his cousins to run around the streets. Afterwards, they occasionally go to the field to watch Cody and Uche (his brothers) play in the sand.

While growing up in Nigeria, Ogbene lived a carefree Life. He was only concerned about eating, attending school, running around, and sleeping afterwards. Back then, he never would have imagined himself playing football as a professional in a top-tier league.

Chiedozie Ogbene Early Life:

One sad thing that bugged the dribbler and his siblings in their childhood was the consistent absence of their father. Of course, Emmanuel Ogbene fulfilled his paternal duty to his kids. However, he was always travelling around the world due to the nature of his job.

Chiedozie’s dad was a nurse who had his medical training in Kuwait. He wasn’t always at home to keep his children company but his career journey influenced the decision of his little boy’s aspiration.

Living in the Ogbene household gave everyone medical vibes. As a result, the talisman decided to pursue a career in medicine and surgery. His conviction was firm for a little boy, prompting him to take his studies seriously.

Chiedozie Ogbene Family Background:

The Nigerian-born athlete hails from a household with a stable financial cash flow. His father was a nurse working in a foreign country. This meant a high-income return, which, when converted to Nigeria’s currency, placed his Family in the middle class.

Similarly, Ogbene’s Mum is a nurse who made a decent income. She and his Dad ensured everyone in the Family never lacked the basic amenities they needed. Christiana also taught her kids the importance of moral and economic values.

She ensured they knew the worth of their possessions and tilted their mindsets towards avoiding wastage. Being born into a middle-class Family Background meant that Dozie and his siblings had a comfortable childhood experience.

Chiedozie Ogbene Family Origin:

Despite being a national of Ireland, he has an entirely different ancestry from the Irish people. As earlier stated, Chiedozie Ogbene was born in Nigeria. His parents are also Nigerians, and they eventually relocated with their family to Ireland.

Diving deeper into his heritage, Ogbene’s Family hails from the eastern part of his country. They belong to one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria – IGBO. To be more precise, the youngster’s parents are indigenes of the state of Enugu.

You probably didn’t know that the Igbos are very versatile when doing business. Many of them are scattered around the world with the intention of setting up their business establishment. It is often said that whenever you can’t find an Igbo man in any country, run for your dear life!

What’s more fascinating is that Enugu is known as the Coal City because it is the major centre of coal mining in Nigeria. The Igbos were once traditional worshippers who eventually converted to Christianity. This is the primary reason the Ogbenes are all Christian today.

Chiedozie Ogbene Ethnicity:

We can not deny the fact that he’s got African heritage. Even his skin colour reviews facts of his ethnicity. Throughout his growing-up days in Ireland, Chidozie confessed that he didn’t have to deal with any form of racial discrimination.

Despite his African ethnicity, he feels more Irish than Nigerian. This is because the speedster vaguely remembers his childhood years in his birth country.

Chiedozie Ogbene Education:

From the moment he came of age, the superstar was enrolled at a nursery school to commence his academic journey. He was a bright kid with so much desire to excel in his studies.

Ogbene studied in Nigeria from kindergarten till he got to primary three (third class). Eventually, his father was offered a job in Florida and Ireland to work in the medical sector. Emmanuel Ogbene took the Irish path and was given the privilege of bringing his family over.

Upon hearing the news, Chiedozie and his siblings had to leave their neighbourhood, school and friends for a new place. They found the journey to be quite fascinating. More so, it was an opportunity for them to be with their dad.

Education Drawbacks:

Ogbene’s life in the Grange suburb of Cork, since he first arrived there in 2005, was devoid of the horrors of racial discrimination. Back then, he didn’t have excellent English, yet he never felt estranged in the midst of other kids.

In Ireland, Ogbene couldn’t continue from where he had stopped in his studies. The Irish school authority believed he was too young to attend class four. You probably didn’t know it is normal to see a 16 to 17-year-old in college in Nigeria.

But that wasn’t the case for students in the Emerald Isle. Hence, the 8-year-old had to start his education all over again from class one, and that was a decision he was grateful his parents made.

“I am just grateful that my football career took off, but education is something I still consider important for your mental health and planning because football will end.”

Chiedozie Ogbene Biography – Football Story:

Unlike many famous players of Nigerian descent, like Michael Olise, the winger had little interest in soccer as a little boy. But when he moved to Ireland, he eventually ventured into the game.

Despite his newly found hobby, Ogbene would never go out to play on the street if he didn’t complete his school assignments. His dedication to studying remains intact even to date.

The first African-born Ireland player started his football journey in the Grange area of Cork. During his free time, he played street soccer with kids in his neighbourhood. Surprisingly, one of Ogbene’s childhood friends, Saoirse Noonan, also became a professional athlete.

As of 2023, he features for the Irish football club Shelbourne. From the moment Chiedozie Ogbene took soccer seriously, he realised he had great potential in other sports. Hence, he began playing tag rugby and Gaelic football with his friends.

Self Motivation:

Subsequently, the dribbler started following his older brother, Cody, to the training session of Tramore Athletic. He loved how organised the academy was and wanted to run around the pitch like Cody.

However, he was still too young to join the ranks of the youth players. By the time Ogbene clocked 11, his parents had him enrolled at Tramore Athletic, where he had started his youth career expedition.

Aside from training at the football club on Tuesdays and Fridays, the prolific runner also tried to personally build his stamina. There were days he would walk through the wood to get to the stadium of College Corinthians and train till nightfall.

More so, he was an avid fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and spent many hours watching CR7’s clips. Afterwards, Ogbene would run down to the stadium irrespective of how late the time was. He would continuously train until he learned what he had watched from the sport’s clip.

Road to Fame Story:

The speedster spent five years developing his athletic prowess at Tramore Athletic. Afterwards, he left the youth team in 2013 to join College Corinthians when he clocked 16.

Two years later, Ogbene found himself multitasking in his sports endeavours. He played Gaelic football for Namo Rangers and participated in association football for College Corinthians, Kilreen Celtic, and Everton.

It got to the point where Ogbene had to choose between Gaelic football and soccer. Of course, he loved both games so much but ended up letting go of the former. It was a difficult choice that got him crying all day. However, one had to go for the other to flourish.

Chiedozie Ogbene Bio – Success Story:

2015 became one of the most memorable days of his career life as he signed his first senior contract with Cork City in August. The 18-year-old only featured for his club’s U-19 team in his first year with them. He was later handed his senior debut during the 2016 FAI Cup.

About 16 months afterwards, Chiedozie Ogbene sealed a new contract with the Ireland club, Limerick. As expected, he again displayed a phenomenal performance which earned him three nominations for the League’s Player of the Month award.

It wasn’t until late January 2018 that he got offers from prestigious English clubs. Interestingly, the promising starlet signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Brentford, where he met other promising talents like Ollie Watkins and Neal Maupay.

The Next Challenge:

Dozie only made one EFL championship appearance before leaving Brentford on loan to Exeter City in August 2018. At this stage of his career, his parents were worried about how his progress was constantly on a decline.

To make matters worse, he soon joined Rotherham United when they got relegated from EFL to League One in 2019. Despite the drawbacks surrounding his success, Ogbene kept a positive mind and strived towards greatness.

In his first season, he helped Rotherham secure promotion to the EFL Championship. He also played a great sporting role in helping his team win the 2022 EFL Trophy.

International Career Success:

From the moment Chiedozie Ogbene showcased his exceptional prowess, he was bound to play for Nigeria or Ireland. Of course, the decision was his to make, but he had to consult his Mother and Father for good advice.

Guess what?… The winger gave up a chance to play with young African talents like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Yes! He decided to represent the European nation over the country of his birth.

This huge milestone put Ogbene’s name on the history pages. Upon debuting for the Republic of Ireland on the 8th day of June 2021, he became the first ever African-born footballer to represent the Republic of Ireland in soccer. The rest, as they say, is history.

Love Life with Sandra Hanratty:

As an established athlete, Ogbene has no room for boredom or loneliness. From the beginning of his career expedition, he’s got one pretty damsel who has stayed by his side through thick and thin. It is on this note that we ask the ultimate question;

Who is Chiedozie Ogbene’s Girlfriend?

To begin with, his partner’s name is Sandra Hanratty. She is an exquisite Irish woman who has been with him for many years. Ogbene and his girlfriend started dating in January 2015 and have since supported each other’s careers.

Despite starting their relationship towards the end of their teenage days, the lovebirds knew precisely what they wanted. They broke many bounds, overcame so many challenges and stuck to each other to date.

Do you know?… Chiedozie Ogbene is not secretive about his relationship. He is apparently the direct opposite of his compatriots, Michael Obafemi and Aaron Connolly. Hence, he’s often uploaded pictures of himself and his girlfriend on Instagram.

Who is Sandra Hanratty?

The winger’s partner was born on the 10th day of November 1997. This means that she is just six months younger than her boyfriend. Looking at her Instagram profile, you will realise that she is quite private with her lifestyle.

As a result, information about her Family has been kept private, just like she did with her social media accounts. Despite her secretiveness, she has been submissive to her boyfriend’s desire to display images of them on his Instagram account.

Personal Life:

Chiedozie Ogbene has an extroverted temperament. His outgoing personality makes it easier for him to bond with people quickly. Thanks to this trait, the speedster made a lot of friends when his family moved to Europe.

Growing up, Ogbene never lost his charm in attracting people. He continued to live a cheerful life, which made his family and acquaintances love him even more. Aside from football, he enjoys playing lawn tennis with his girlfriend, as shown in the picture below.

Lifestyle Facts:

It is a known fact that sports have strongly changed the lives of many people in the world. Players often stand the chance of taking home huge paychecks from clubs and endorsement deals every week. This is also the case for Chiedozie Ogbene.

With his earnings, the youngster is capable of affording a functional car and house. This also means he can further improve the lifestyle of his Parents and Siblings. Nothing can be said about his house because he doesn’t share pictures on Instagram.

However, Ogbene has a ride that he uses constantly. Like Caoimhin Kelleher, he’s got an old-fashioned taste in cars, and we’ve got proof of it.

The dribbler once took a picture (shown below) with a Volkswagen and captured it “Keeping it Classic”. There has been no subsequent upload of him flaunting luxurious vehicles on his socials.

Chiedozie Ogbene’s Religion:

Research shows that he was born into a Christian family. By default, Ogbene was raised in the faith and belief of his Parents. Aside from learning about virtues in the church on Sundays, his Mother also taught him many religious facts during their morning devotions.

Chiedozie Ogbene Family:

Interestingly, he hails from a household that has maintained its grassroots culture even in a foreign land. The Ogbenes took time to adjust to the weather and language of Ireland. However, they never lose track of their traditions.

While at home, every member of the Family communicated in Igbo (his native language). This practice kept them together and saw them grow in love and harmony. In this section, we present you with information about every one of them.

Chiedozie Ogbene’s Father:

Having a hardworking dad is one of the key secrets that has led to the winger’s career successes. As mentioned earlier, Chiedozie’s father, Emmanuel Ogbene, is a talented nurse who studied in Kuwait.

Due to his reputable medical skill, he was offered jobs in Florida and Ireland. The athlete’s dad chose the latter and ended up moving with his entire Family. Of course, their relocation presented them with more opportunities than they would have gotten in their homeland.

As a result, Chiedozie is reaping the rewards of his father’s decision to move every one of them to a land of opportunities. He also maintains a great relationship with his dad, Emmanuel Ogbene.

Chiedozie Ogbene’s Mother:

During those lonely days when his dad worked far away, the dribbler’s mom always cared for him. She is Christiana Ogbene, a trained nurse like her husband. Chiedozie’s Mother has secured an irreplaceable spot in his life.

She is a strong woman who groomed her five children to become responsible individuals. Mrs Christiana always ensures her kids study and perform well in school. Her desire was to see every one of them excel in the career of their choice.

As a result, Dozie’s Mother supported his career expedition from the beginning. She was always the first of many people to call him after his international debut game.

Apparently, Christiana Ogbene has kept the culture of calling her son after his games since he turned pro. When asked about his Mother, the talented athlete explained how she is always worried about his well-being. Here is how he puts the statement:

“My mum rings me every game I play. The first thing she often says is, ‘how are you feeling? I hope you are healthy?’

Chiedozie Ogbene’s Brothers:

The journey to stardom has never been without many hurdles. Nonetheless, Dozie had two trustworthy older brothers he could depend on. His oldest sibling is Uche, while his other brother is Cody.

Interestingly, Uche decided to follow in the footsteps of his Parents and eventually joined his family business. On the other hand, Cody was an athlete who never made it to the professional stage.

He usually took Dozie to his training ground when he played at Tramore Athletic. To date, the brothers are always on the lookout for themselves.

Chiedozie Ogbene’s Sisters:

The dribbler has also grown to be a reliable big brother to his younger siblings. He has two sisters whom he cherishes dearly. We’ve seen him share a photo he took with one of them on his Instagram page. He even wrote the caption, “That special connection you have with your sister.”

EndNote:

Chiedozie Ogbene, known by the nickname Dozie was born to his Father, Emmanuel Ogbene and Mother, Christiana Ogbene, in Nigeria. His parents were medical practitioners who always wanted what was best for their kids.

The footballer was raised alongside his two older brothers and two younger sisters at his birthplace. However, his Family eventually moved to Ireland due to the nature of his father’s job.

In the foreign land, Dozie developed a profound love for soccer after he had constantly followed his brother Cody to training. It wasn’t long enough before he found himself playing in the junior team of Tramore Athletic.

Fast forward to the present day, Chiedozie Ogbene is making waves both with Luton Town and the Republic of Ireland national team. Alongside his football career, he has dedicated himself to studying diligently, with plans to support his family’s medical business once he transitions away from sports.

Appreciation Note:

Thank you for reading our version of Chiedozie Ogbene’s Biography. We always watch for fairness and accuracy in delivering our European Footballers’ and Managers’ Life Stories. Surely, our story on Hamza Choudhury and Lorenzo Pellegrini will interest you. Let’s not forget Uriel Antuna, the Mexican Sorcerer Right Winger.

Please notify us if you find anything that doesn’t look right in this memoir on Chiedozie Ogbene. Also, take some time to share your thoughts on the first African-born player for the Republic of Ireland.

Aside from this article on Chiedozie Ogbene’s Biography, we’ve got other interesting Soccer Stories for you to read. Check bios from our Irish catalogue that will excite your autobiography appetite.