After another impressive performance, is it time for the West Bromwich Albion forward to be considered for a Nigeria recall?
Victor Anichebe is a fighter.
No trunks, no gloves, no headgear, he doesn’t even ply his trade inside a ring, but his spirit is one that could easily pass of as that of a boxer. He has been knocked down time and time again, but he never stays defeated. Just when you think he is down and out, he springs up with renewed zeal, confidence and motivation.
Injuries are footballers’ worst nightmare and it won’t be overstretched to say that perhaps the West Bromwich Albion forward has had more than his fair share. However, despite his tortuous career marked by assorted spells on the treatment table—and he has had some pretty nasty ones—the 26-year-old comes back stronger; almost always with a bang sprinkled with vengeance.
For his most recent setback, the Nigeria international suffered a groin injury that kept him out for most part of September and October. However, Anichebe returned for the Baggies in spectacular fashion, helping his side to salvage a point against Crystal Palace at the end of October.
The Eagles had raced to a two-goal lead through Brede Hangeland and Mile Jedanick in the first 45, only for Anichebe’s introduction in the second to halt the rot.
For a player who is prone to injuries, his ability to ride off challenges with his broad shoulders and imposing height is quite incredible.
His close-range header, which reduced the deficit in the 51st minute, galvanized his teammates to push for a leveller. And late on, they were rewarded for sustained pressure, again, with Anichebe playing a crucial role.
It was his bravery and experience (and clumsiness from the Palace defender) that won the Baggies the late penalty from which Saido Berahino slotted home to earn Alan Irvine’s men a 2-2 draw.
Anichebe | Finally back on his feet
Irvine praised the Nigerian after the game but his remarks highlighted an awkward pattern in Anichebe’s career: a high level of inconsistency.
"I thought Victor had a really good pre-season and started the season well and realising he’s a really important player for us,” Irvine told The Birmingham Mail.
"I expected him to have an impact when he came on Saturday (against Palace) and he did that.
"He knows he has got to produce his best form repeatedly in order to play and there’s a big challenge for him.
"He showed what he’s capable of doing, he’s extremely effective with his back to goal, he has good technique, brings other people into the game and he is a handful,” he said.
One couldn’t possibly peg his inability to ‘repeatedly’ produce such outstanding performances on a lack of effort or talent. Ignoring his cross—injuries—would be a great injustice on the player.
Since arriving the Hawthorns, Anichebe has roughly spent a combined four months on the sidelines (three in his debut season and one this season).
Could this be the reason why he has yet to blossom into the striker who was once tipped for greatness as a young lad coming through the ranks at Everton?
Tipped for great things while a Toffee
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge recently said his injury woes could be hereditary; can same be said for Anichebe?
At Goodison Park, despite pockets of brilliant displays here and there, he managed too very few sustained periods of form to be regarded as a top shot. And now at the Hawthorns, he has continued to struggle with niggling injuries.
In his debut season with the Baggies, Anichebe managed only three goals in 25 appearances. He barely went two months without sustaining an injury. In the current season, he has managed just five games (in all competitions) scoring just once.
His much anticipated partnership with compatriot and West Bromwich new-boy Brown Ideye has so far failed to yield any results…any results!
Asking for actual goals appears farfetched because they haven’t even stayed fit long enough to spark any momentum whatsoever. The pair have struggled to maintain fitness in the opening stages of the campaign and as a result have failed to hit the ground running.
Sadly, the narrative applies to both club and country.
He made his senior debut in 2008 but has only made 11 appearances for Nigeria. He was forced off the pitch with a groin injury during a Nations Cup qualifying match against Madagascar in September 2011.
And that was the last time he was seen in a Nigeria jersey.
Subsequently, Keshi appeared sympathetic towards Anichebe’s decision to stay away from the national side, allowing himself to recuperate. He has now played 10 matches this season and was referred to as “outstanding” by Alan Irvine after the weekend’s draw with Hull City.
With competition drying up, could there be a place for Big Vic among Nigeria's strikers?
The manager did admit, however [via Sky Sports], that the player is “still nursing a bit of an injury.”
Having missed out on Africa Cup of Nations qualification, the Super Eagles need to recruit some new blood and fresh faces. Could Anichebe - now 26 - be part of a new breed…or at least a reinvented one?
However, with the current coaching crew awash with players, even as far as China, it is left to be seen if a return to the national team is in the pipeline for the Baggies forward any time soon.
‘One day at a time’ is a phrase that perfectly sums up Anichebe’s injury-plagued career.
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