Championship: Emmanuel Dennis reveals Nigerian player who inspired his Blackburn Rovers move

By Wale Mustapha

Newly signed Blackburn Rovers striker Emmanuel Dennis has revealed that former Nigerian football legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni was a key inspiration behind his decision to join the club.

The 26-year-old forward, who joined Rovers on loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest on the winter transfer deadline day, cited Aiyegbeni’s remarkable career as a major influence on his move to the Championship side.

Dennis, who has already made his competitive debut for Blackburn in their 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, has become the fourth Nigerian to play for the club, following in the footsteps of Aiyegbeni, Dickson Etuhu, and Hope Akpan.

Yakubu, who is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest strikers, had a successful spell at Blackburn, scoring 17 goals in 32 league appearances during the 2011-12 season.

Dennis, who grew up in Nigeria watching Aiyegbeni’s exploits, has set his sights on emulating the legendary striker at Ewood Park.

“Yakubu played here and while growing up, I watched him play. It is a club I am very familiar with from growing up in Nigeria,” Dennis said in an interview with Rovers TV.

“I was really pleased they wanted me, and I wanted to come. He scored a lot of goals, so many!

“Yakubu is really big in Nigeria and African football. His contribution, playing in the Premier League, what a guy! He inspired me in some ways because I watched his games, and he was a really good player.”

As Dennis looks to make his own mark at Blackburn, he will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Nigerian greats who came before him and add to Rovers’ rich history of African talent.