Peter Etebo targets fresh start at Genclerbirligi after nightmare injury season

Super Eagles midfielder Peter Oghenekaro Etebo says he never wants to relive the “toughest season” of his career as he prepares for a new campaign with Genclerbirligi following a year wrecked by injury and a relegation battle in Turkey.

The 30-year-old Nigerian has spoken publicly for the first time about a campaign in which he was sidelined for almost the entire 2025-26 Turkish Super Lig season and played only 42 minutes of competitive football.

Etebo’s long-term fitness problems have also kept him away from the Nigeria national team, with his absence from the Super Eagles now stretching to 1,345 days and stalling what had been a promising international career.

Season ruined by Achilles injury

Genclerbirligi spent most of last season fighting to stay in the top flight and went into the final day knowing defeat could send them down.

They produced one of their standout results of the year at Papara Park, beating Trabzonspor 3-0 to secure their Super Lig status and, in the process, confirming Antalyaspor’s relegation.

Etebo, though, played almost no part in that survival story.

He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in training, an injury that ruled him out for virtually the entire campaign. Subsequent muscle problems then slowed his recovery and further delayed any hope of a return to regular action.

His only league appearance came on 9 August, when he started against Samsunspor. He was withdrawn after 42 minutes in a 2-1 defeat and did not feature again, ending the season with just that single outing, no goals and no assists.

“We don’t want a season like that again”

Reflecting on the difficulties faced by both himself and the club, Etebo acknowledged the strain of the past year on everyone involved at Genclerbirligi.

He admitted that neither he nor the team would want to endure another campaign of similar setbacks, with his long spell on the sidelines coinciding with the club’s struggle to avoid dropping into the second tier.

Speaking ahead of the new season, Etebo described the previous year as the hardest of his professional life and underlined how much the experience had tested the squad, coaching staff and supporters.

Appeal to fans and respect for club tradition

Looking forward, the former Premier League and La Liga midfielder stressed his determination to contribute fully now that he is working his way back to fitness at the Ankara side.

Etebo also highlighted Genclerbirligi’s status and heritage in Turkish football, speaking with evident respect about the club’s history and what it represents to its fanbase.

He urged supporters to show patience as the team embarks on another Super Lig campaign, insisting that their backing will be important as the players attempt to move on from last season’s struggles and avoid another tense fight against relegation.