Stephen Eze
{{short description|Nigerian professional footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Stephen Eze
| fullname =
| image = stephen_eze.jpg
| caption = Eze playing for Lokomotiv Plovdiv in 2018
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|3|8|df=y}}
| birth_place = Makurdi, Nigeria
| height = {{height|m=1.98}}
| position = Centre back
| currentclub = Jamshedpur
| clubnumber = 6
| years1 = 2012–2014
| clubs1 = Lobi Stars
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2014–2016
| clubs2 = Sunshine Stars
| caps2 = 63
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2017
| clubs3 = Ifeanyi Ubah
| caps3 = 29
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2017
| clubs4 = Kano Pillars
| caps4 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2018–2019
| clubs5 = Lokomotiv Plovdiv
| caps5 = 57
| goals5 = 3
| years6 = 2020
| clubs6 = Tobol
| caps6 = 0
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2020–2021
| clubs7 = Jamshedpur
| caps7 = 20
| goals7 = 4
| years8 = 2022
| clubs8 = NK Solin
| caps8 = 1
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2022–2023
| clubs9 = Queen's Park
| caps9 = 21
| goals9 = 3
| years10 = 2023–2024
| clubs10 = Quang Nam
| caps10 = 19
| goals10 = 2
| years11 = 2024–
| clubs11 = Jamshedpur
| caps11 = 16
| goals11 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2015–2018
| nationalteam1 = Nigeria
| nationalcaps1 = 13
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| pcupdate = 04:44, 3 February 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 28 July 2019
}}
Stephen Eze (born 8 March 1994) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Indian Super League club Jamshedpur.
He has also represented the Nigeria national team, winning 13 caps.
Club career
=In Nigeria=
Eze started his professional career at Lobi Stars. He played regularly during two seasons, before moving to Sunshine Stars in September 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/140912/eze_joins_sunshine_from_lobi|title=Eze joins Sunshine from Lobi|publisher=supersport.com|date=13 September 2014|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054448/https://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/140912/eze_joins_sunshine_from_lobi|url-status=live}}
After two seasons with Sunshine, Eze joined Ifeanyi Ubah where he won Nigeria Super Cup in early 2017. On 9 November 2017, Eze joined Kano Pillars.{{cite web|url=https://sportsration.com/2017/11/09/chan-eagles-defender-stephen-eze-joins-kano-pillars/|title=CHAN Eagles defender, Stephen Eze joins Kano Pillars|publisher=sportsration.com|date=9 November 2017|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704042644/https://sportsration.com/2017/11/09/chan-eagles-defender-stephen-eze-joins-kano-pillars/|url-status=live}}
=Lokomotiv Plovdiv=
Two months later, on 18 January 2018, Eze joined Bulgarian First League club Lokomotiv Plovdiv, signing a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/nigerias-stephen-eze-signs-two-year-contract-with-lokomotiv/144tg4fbxntis19doa4y1rw27n|title=Nigeria's Stephen Eze signs two-year contract with Lokomotiv Plovdiv|publisher=goal.com|date=19 January 2018|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=23 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023103337/https://www.goal.com/en/news/nigerias-stephen-eze-signs-two-year-contract-with-lokomotiv/144tg4fbxntis19doa4y1rw27n|url-status=live}} On 18 February, he made his league debut for Lokomotiv, coming on as a substitute for Asen Georgiev against Pirin Blagoevgrad.{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/18/bulgaria/a-pfg/pfc-lokomotiv-plovdiv/pfk-pirin-blagoevgrad/2473757/|title=Lokomotiv 1–0 Pirin|publisher=soccerway.com|date=18 February 2018|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517160341/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/18/bulgaria/a-pfg/pfc-lokomotiv-plovdiv/pfk-pirin-blagoevgrad/2473757/|url-status=live}} On 16 April 2019, Eze scored his first goal for Lokomotiv in a Bulgarian Cup match against Septemvri Sofia, which Lokomotiv won 4–0.{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2019/04/16/bulgaria/cup/pfc-lokomotiv-plovdiv/septemvri/3004836/|title=Lokomotiv Plovdiv 4–0 Septemvri Sofia|publisher=soccerway.com|date=16 April 2019|access-date=5 June 2019|archive-date=18 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018123452/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2019/04/16/bulgaria/cup/pfc-lokomotiv-plovdiv/septemvri/3004836/|url-status=live}}
=Tobol=
On 21 January 2020, Eze joined Kazakhstan Premier League club FC Tobol.{{cite web |title=Стивен Эзе – новичок желто-зеленых |url=https://fctobol.kz/stiven-eze-novichok-zhelto-zelenyh/ |website=Fctobol.kz |publisher=FC Tobol |access-date=21 January 2020 |language=Russian |date=21 January 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809224512/https://fctobol.kz/stiven-eze-novichok-zhelto-zelenyh/ |url-status=dead }} An injury sustained in a pre-season friendly match meant he never got to feature in an official game for the team, as he had to undergo an operation in Turkey. Eze parted ways with Tobol in July 2020.{{cite web |title=Удачи, Стивен! |url=https://fctobol.kz/udachi-stiven/ |website=Fctobol.kz |publisher=FC Tobol |access-date=21 August 2020 |language=Russian |date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729090055/https://fctobol.kz/udachi-stiven/ |url-status=dead }}
=Jamshedpur FC=
On 10 September 2020, Eze joined Indian Super League side Jamshedpur.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcjamshedpur.com/news/nigerian-international-stephen-eze-joins-jamshedpur|title=Nigerian International Stephen Eze joins Jamshedpur|date=10 September 2020|access-date=10 September 2020|website=Fcjamshedpur.com|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919000638/https://www.fcjamshedpur.com/news/nigerian-international-stephen-eze-joins-jamshedpur|url-status=live}} After his one year contract was completed, on 1 July 2021, Eze left Jamshedpur FC and became a free agent.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
=NK Solin=
On 17 February 2022, Eze joined Croatian First League club NK Solin. He made his debut coming off the bench in a 3-0 loss against NK Dugopolje.{{cite web |title=Stephen Eze |url=https://www.playmakerstats.com/player.php?id=497885&edicao_id=106666&redirm=1 |publisher=Playmaker |access-date=18 July 2022 |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718170702/https://www.playmakerstats.com/player.php?id=497885&edicao_id=106666&redirm=1 |url-status=live }}
=Queen's Park=
After a year with Croatian club NK Solin, Eze signed for Scottish club Queen's Park in August 2022.{{cite web |url=https://queensparkfc.co.uk/stephen-eze-signs-for-queens-park/ |title=Stephen Eze Signs for Queen's Park |publisher=Queen's Park Football Club |website=queensparkfc.co.uk |date=5 August 2022 |accessdate=6 August 2022}} In June 2023, Stephen Eze departed the club by mutual consent {{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Mhairi |date=2023-06-29 |title=Liam Brown and Stephen Eze depart Queen's Park |url=https://queensparkfc.co.uk/liam-brown-and-stephen-eze-depart-queens-park/ |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=Queen's Park Football Club |language=en-US |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629154304/https://queensparkfc.co.uk/liam-brown-and-stephen-eze-depart-queens-park/ |url-status=live }}
=Return to Jamshedpur FC=
After leaving Quang Nam FC, Eze re-joined Jamshedpur. On 17 January 2025, Eze scored a stunning equalizer against Mohun Bagan SG. Picking up a pass from inside his own half, he dribbled past multiple Mohun Bagan Super Giant players, entered the penalty area, dribbled past three Mohun Bagan defenders, before finding the bottom right corner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/stephen-ezes-equaliser-helps-jamshedpur-fc-draw-with-mohun-bagan-super-giant|title=Stephen Eze's equaliser helps Jamshedpur FC draw with Mohun Bagan Super Giant|website=www.the-aiff.com|access-date=21 January 2025|archive-date=18 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118015328/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/stephen-ezes-equaliser-helps-jamshedpur-fc-draw-with-mohun-bagan-super-giant|url-status=live}} The goal was nominated by the ISL for the Fan's Goal of the Week award as well.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFRdgHtAk8M|title=Fans' Goal of the Week | Matchweek 17 | ISL 2024-25|date=20 January 2025|via=YouTube}}
International career
Eze was invited to play for the Nigeria national team. He was named in the Super Eagles' 23-man A' team which played in the Caf CHAN 2016, led by coach Sunday Oliseh. Eze played all the group games, but the team was eliminated in the first round. His performances led to an invitation to the full Nigeria team. He was also in the A' team in the 2018 African Nations Championship where results improved, Nigeria progressing to the final before losing to the hosts Morocco.{{cite news|last1=Isabirye|first1=David|title=Morocco wins 2018 CHAN championship|url=https://www.kawowo.com/2018/02/05/morocco-wins-2018-chan-championship/|access-date=2 August 2022|agency=Kawowo|date=5 February 2018|archive-date=22 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222065518/https://kawowo.com/2018/02/05/morocco-wins-2018-chan-championship/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Cavell|first1=Nick|title=Morocco beat Nigeria 4–0 in final to lift trophy|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42939957|access-date=2 August 2022|agency=BBC|date=4 February 2018|archive-date=21 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021192153/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42939957|url-status=live}}
In May 2018 he was named in the preliminary 30-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia;{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-every-world-cup-2018-squad-23-man-preliminary-lists/oa0atsduflsv1nsf6oqk576rb|title=Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists|website=Goal.com|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=15 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515135659/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-every-world-cup-2018-squad-23-man-preliminary-lists/oa0atsduflsv1nsf6oqk576rb|url-status=live}} however, he did not make the final 23.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/44346451|title = Iwobi named in Nigeria World Cup squad|website=Bbc.co.uk|date = 3 June 2018}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{As of|2019|09|22}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center" | |||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|League !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=2|League !colspan=2|Cup !colspan=2|Continental !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps
!Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||
| rowspan=3 valign="center"|Lokomotiv Plovdiv
| rowspan="3"|First League |13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19
|25 | 0 | 6 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20
|10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 12019 Bulgarian Supercup | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| colspan=3|Career statistics
!48 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 2 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{NFT player|61116/Stephen_Eze}}
- {{Soccerway|stephen-eze/431999}}
{{Quang Nam FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eze, Stephen}}
Category:Footballers from Benue State
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Nigerian men's footballers
Category:Nigeria men's international footballers
Category:Lobi Stars F.C. players
Category:Sunshine Stars F.C. players
Category:Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. players
Category:Kano Pillars F.C. players
Category:PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv players
Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Bulgaria
Category:Jamshedpur FC players
Category:Indian Super League players
Category:Queen's Park F.C. players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in India
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Vietnam
Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Bulgaria
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in India
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Croatia
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Vietnam
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Kazakhstan
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Kazakhstan
Category:Nigeria men's A' international footballers
Category:2016 African Nations Championship players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players