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Efe Ambrose

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Efe Ambrose
Personal information
Full name Efetobore Eric Ambrose Emuobo[1]
Date of birth (1988-10-18) 18 October 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Kaduna, Nigeria
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Workington
Youth career
2002–2006 Kaduna United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 Kaduna United 89 (7)
2008–2009 → Bayelsa United (loan) 24 (4)
2010–2012 Ashdod 67 (3)
2012–2017 Celtic 113 (5)
2017 → Hibernian (loan) 10 (1)
2017–2019 Hibernian 59 (2)
2019 Derby County 0 (0)
2020–2021 Livingston 25 (0)
2021–2022 St Johnstone 7 (0)
2022 → Dunfermline Athletic (loan) 12 (0)
2022–2023 Greenock Morton 11 (1)
2023–2024 Queen of the South 26 (0)
2024 Bury 7 (1)
2024– Workington 0 (0)
International career‡
2007 Nigeria U20 4 (0)
2008 Nigeria U23 2 (0)
2008–2016 Nigeria 51 (4)
Medal record
Representing  Nigeria
Africa Cup of Nations
Winner 2013
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:30, 27 August 2024 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:16, 13 June 2016 (UTC)

Efetobore Eric Ambrose Emuobo MON (born 18 October 1988) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Workington. Ambrose has previously played for Kaduna United, Bayelsa United, Israeli club Ashdod, Scottish clubs Celtic, Hibernian, Livingston, St Johnstone and Dunfermline Athletic, Greenock Morton and English club Derby County.

Ambrose has also played for the Nigeria national football team, and he has represented Nigeria at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, the Summer Olympics, the Africa Cup of Nations, and the FIFA World Cup.

Club career

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Early career

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Ambrose started his professional career at Kaduna United in 2006 and two years later, he was loaned to Bayelsa United for the 2008–09 season but remained with Kaduna United after helping them win promotion.[2]

FC Ashdod

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Ambrose joined Israeli Premier League club FC Ashdod in June 2010 and left in 2012.[3]

Celtic

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Ambrose joined Scottish Premier League club Celtic on the summer 2012 transfer deadline day, signing a three-year contract.[4] After joining the club, Ambrose praised his new teammates at Celtic for helping him settle down in Glasgow quickly.[5] Ambrose also revealed he studied British football in order to join Celtic by watching both Scottish Premier League and English Premier League games on TV upon hearing about Celtic's interest in him.[6]

Ambrose made his debut on 22 September 2012 as a substitute for Celtic captain Scott Brown against Dundee in the Scottish Premier League, a 2–0 victory.[7][8] He made his full début against Raith Rovers in the Scottish League Cup, in a 4–1 victory. He scored his first goal for Celtic in a 5–0 win over St Mirren on 20 October 2012, celebrating the goal with a quadruple somersault.[9] Ambrose went on to make his Champions League debut for Celtic, where he played 90 minutes in a 3–2 win over Spartak Moscow.[10] On 4 November 2012, Ambrose headed in an own goal, in a 2–2 draw against Dundee United. After the match, Ambrose said he let himself down and felt that he could have cleared the ball away.[11] On 7 November 2012, ahead of a Champions League game against Barcelona, Ambrose made a vow to give his best ever performance for the club.[12] After a stunning performance by the Celtic players, they won 2–1 and Ambrose said that winning against Barcelona was the 'perfect way to celebrate Celtic's 125th anniversary.[13]

At the end of the Champions League group stage campaign, Celtic qualified for the knock-out stages and faced the Italian side Juventus. In the first leg, Ambrose was named in the squad ahead of the match, only 3 days after Nigeria had won the Africa Cup of Nations, Ambrose had played the full 90 minutes in the final.[14] However, Ambrose made several mistakes during the match, allowing Alessandro Matri (first goal) and Mirko Vučinić (third goal) to score with ease. He also missed the club's best chance to score late in the game.[15] His performance was criticized by teammate Kris Commons.[15] Though criticized, Ambrose was defended by Kelvin Wilson, who believed that Ambrose would bounce back from his disappointing performance.[16] Ambrose made amends in the next league game when he scored Celtic's opener in a 6–2 win over Dundee United. Ambrose's (along with Commons) performance was praised by Neil Lennon.[17] Three days later, he scored again, in a 1–1 draw against St Johnstone. Ahead of the second leg against Juventus, Ambrose said that Commons' criticism inspired him to become a better player.[18] After the match, which Juventus won 2–0 and progressed to the quarter finals, Neil Lennon stated that Ambrose was late for training and missed the team bus from the hotel and was left to catch up by taxi.[19] Lennon also stated that Ambrose needed to "sort himself out."[20]

Ambrose came under strong criticism from fans and pundits alike for frequent poor performances and errors which led to opposition goals.[21][22] On 31 August 2016, after becoming frozen out of the first-team at Celtic under new manager Brendan Rodgers, Celtic accepted a bid of £300,000 for Ambrose from Standard Liège, but the deal fell through after he opted to stay at Celtic Park.[23] In February 2017, Ambrose's proposed loan move to Blackburn Rovers fell through, after the club was unable to obtain a work permit.[24]

Hibernian

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On 28 February 2017, Ambrose joined Hibernian on loan for the rest of the season.[25] Ambrose scored his first goal for Hibs on 25 March, the opening goal of a 2–1 win in the Scottish Championship against Falkirk.[26] He won the Scottish Championship player of the month award for March 2017.[27]

After his contract with Celtic expired at the end of the season, Ambrose signed a two-year contract with Hibernian.[28] Ambrose exercised a clause in his contract and left Hibernian in January 2019, despite the club offering him a new deal.[29]

Derby County

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In February 2019, Ambrose went on trial with EFL Championship club Derby County.[30] Later that month he signed a short-term contract with the club.[31]

He was released by Derby County at the end of the 2018–19 season.[32]

Livingston

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After several months without a club, Ambrose signed for Livingston in February 2020.[33]

In May 2021, Ambrose was one of a few players who were released by Livingston at the end of the 2020–21 season.[34]

St Johnstone

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In September 2021, Ambrose signed with Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.[35]

Dunfermline

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On 4 February 2022, Ambrose joined Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season.[36]

Greenock Morton

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Ambrose signed for Greenock Morton on 26 October 2022 in a deal until the end of the season.[37] Ambrose would make his debut against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, notably being named man of the match after Morton's subsequent 4–0 victory.[38] Ambrose also scored his first and only goal for Morton in a 2–1 home victory against Partick Thistle.[39]

Ambrose made a total of 14 appearances for Morton in all competitions, before it was announced that he would be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract.

Queen of the South

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On 25 July 2023, Ambrose signed for Queen of the South until 31 December 2023.[40]

Bury

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On 8 June 2024, Ambrose joined North West Counties Football League Premier Division side Bury.[41]

On 23 August 2024, Bury announced that Ambrose would be departing the club after their FA Vase fixture the following day. Having continued to live in Scotland, the commute to Bury no longer proved to be a viable option for Ambrose and his family.[42]

Workington

[edit]

On 26 August 2024, Ambrose joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Workington.[43]

International career

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Ambrose was a member of the Nigeria national under-20 football team at 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.[44][45] He later represented Nigeria U-23 and played two games at the 2008 Summer Olympics.[46]

He was called up to Nigeria's 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.[47] In the Africa Cup of Nations, Ambrose played five out of six games for Nigeria, playing in the right-back position, including the final which he started. After the tournament, Ambrose was named in the 2013 African Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament.[48] Ambrose says winning the Africa Cup of Nations was his biggest achievement and one of the greatest moments of his life.[49]

He was selected for Nigeria's squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup[50] and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Ambrose has not been selected since 2016, due to him losing his place at Celtic. He played regularly for Hibernian during the 2017–18 season, but was not recalled for the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.[51] This decision was criticized by former Nigeria manager Samson Siasia, who felt that Ambrose's experience would have been useful.[51]

Style of play

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Ambrose often played as a defensive midfielder for the Nigeria national football team and can also play as a centre back or right back, doing so in the Israeli Premier League at FC Ashdod.[52] A ball playing centre-half, Efe is known for his composure in possession.[53] He normally performs a somersault after scoring a goal.[9][26][54]

Career statistics

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Club

[edit]
As of 2 October 2021[55]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ashdod 2010–11 Israeli Premier League 31 1 6 0 2 0 — 39 1
2011–12 Israeli Premier League 35 2 1 0 4 2 — 40 4
2012–13 Israeli Premier League 1 0 3 0 0 0 — 4 0
Total 67 3 10 0 6 2 — 83 5
Celtic 2012–13 Scottish Premier League 27 3 5 0 2 0 7[a] 0 41 3
2013–14 Scottish Premiership 38 2 2 0 1 0 10[a] 1 51 3
2014–15 Scottish Premiership 27 0 3 0 2 0 11[b] 0 43 0
2015–16 Scottish Premiership 21 0 2 0 2 0 6[c] 0 31 0
2016–17 Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[d] 0 2 0
Total 113 5 12 0 7 0 36 1 168 6
Hibernian (loan) 2016–17 Scottish Championship 10 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
Hibernian 2017–18 Scottish Premiership 38 2 1 0 6 1 — 45 3
2018–19 Scottish Premiership 21 0 0 0 2 0 6[e] 2 29 2
Total 59 2 1 0 8 1 6 2 74 5
Derby County 2018–19 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Livingston 2019–20 Scottish Premiership 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 3 0
2020–21 Scottish Premiership 22 0 0 0 6 0 — 28 0
Total 25 0 0 0 6 0 — 31 0
St Johnstone 2021–22 Scottish Premiership 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
Career total 274 11 25 0 27 3 42 3 368 17
  1. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International appearances

[edit]
As of match played 29 March 2016[56]
National team Year Apps Goals
Nigeria 2008 1 0
2009 —
2010 —
2011 10 0
2012 5 1
2013 17 0
2014 13 1
2015 3 2
2016 2 0
Total 51 4

International goals

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Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first.[56]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 13 October 2012 U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria  Liberia 1–0 6–1 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2. 6 September 2014 U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria  Congo 1–0 2–3 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3. 11 October 2015 Edmond Machtens Stadium, Brussels, Belgium  Cameroon 1–0 3–0 Friendly
4. 17 November 2015 Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Nigeria  Swaziland 2–0 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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Bayelsa

Kaduna United

Celtic

Hibernian

Nigeria

Individual

Orders

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "List of players given a free transfer: Derby County" (PDF). English Football League. p. 97. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Nigeria: Bayelsa Grab Ambrose, Keep Okonkwo". 12 September 2008. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2009 – via AllAfrica.
  3. ^ "Google Translate". Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Celtic: Efe Ambrose completes move from Ashdod". BBC Sport. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  5. ^ "Efe Ambrose thanks his teammates for helping him settle in at Celtic Park". STV Sport. 26 September 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Efe Ambrose reveals he studied British football ahead of move to Celtic". Daily Record. 27 September 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  7. ^ "Efe Ambrose". Fitba Stats. Archived from the original on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  8. ^ Egbe, Uche George (23 September 2012). "Ambrose debuts in Scotland". Kick Off. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  9. ^ a b "St Mirren 0–5 Celtic". BBC Sport. 20 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Efe Ambrose's Celtic shock Spartak". MTN Football. 2 October 2012. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  11. ^ "Celtic's Efe Ambrose pledges to make amends for last minute Tannadice shocker". Daily Record. 6 November 2012. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  12. ^ "I will play the 'game of my life' against Barcelona, says Celtic defender Ambrose". Goal.com. 7 November 2012. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Efe Ambrose: Celtic win over Barca was perfect 125th birthday pressie". Daily Record. 9 November 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Celtic stopper Efe Ambrose heads back to Glasgow after African Nations Cup victory". Daily Record. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  15. ^ a b "'He should have put in a better performance' – Commons hits out at Ambrose after Juventus defeat". Goal.com. 13 February 2013. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  16. ^ "Ambrose will bounce back after criticism, says Celtic defender Wilson". Goal.com. 14 February 2013. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  17. ^ "Celtic 6 Dundee United 2: Commons and Ambrose bury the Euro hatchet to sink Dundee United". Daily Record. 16 February 2013. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  18. ^ "Celtic defender Efe Ambrose says Kris Common's criticism has inspired him to become a better player". Daily Record. 3 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  19. ^ "Celtic discipline Ambrose for lateness before Juventus tie". Goal.com. 7 March 2013. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  20. ^ "Celtic boss Neil Lennon orders dozy defender Efe Ambrose to sort out mental state.. and his heading". Daily Record. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  21. ^ Verrall, John (13 July 2016). "John Hartson criticises Brendan Rodgers' Celtic team selection". HITC. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  22. ^ Gannon, Michael (31 July 2016). "Celtic defender Efe Ambrose is not an accident waiting to happen ... he's an accident that's already happened". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  23. ^ Sutherland, Jonathan (31 August 2016). "Celtic: Jozo Simunovic and Efe Ambrose deals fall through". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 4 September 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  24. ^ "Efe Ambrose: Blackburn cancel Celtic defender's loan move". BBC Sport. 27 February 2017. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  25. ^ Coyle, Andy (28 February 2017). "Neil Lennon defends Efe Ambrose as Hibs complete signing". STV Sport. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  26. ^ a b McLauchlin, Brian (25 March 2017). "Hibernian 2–1 Falkirk". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  27. ^ "Ambrose named Player of the Month". Scottish Professional Football League. 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  28. ^ "Efe Ambrose signs two-year deal with Hibernian". Hibernian FC. 8 June 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  29. ^ "Hibernian: Efe Ambrose triggers contract clause to leave Easter Road". BBC Sport. 4 January 2019. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  30. ^ "Efe Ambrose: Derby County take an ex-Celtic and Hibernian defender on trial". BBC Sport. 8 February 2019. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  31. ^ "Efe Ambrose: Derby County complete deal for former Hibernian defender". BBC Sport. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  32. ^ "Ashley Cole: Former England left-back set to retire after Derby exit". BBC Sport. 3 June 2019. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  33. ^ Temple, Alan (18 February 2020). "Efe Ambrose joins Livingston - and could make debut against Hibs". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Efe Ambrose and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas among players released by Livingston". bt.com. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  35. ^ "Efe Ambrose Signs For Saints". perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  36. ^ "Efe Ambrose arrives on loan". Dunfermline Athletic FC. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  37. ^ "Efe Ambrose signs for Morton". Greenock Morton FC. 26 October 2022.
  38. ^ "Morton up to second after thrashing Inverness". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  39. ^ "Morton beat Thistle to narrow Ayr's lead at top". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  40. ^ "QosFC: Welcome - Efe Ambrose".
  41. ^ "Incoming: Efe Ambrose". buryfc.co.uk. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  42. ^ "Efe Ambrose Departs". buryfc.co.uk. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  43. ^ @WorkingtonAFC (26 August 2024). "𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗘𝗳𝗲! We're thrilled to announce the signing of Efe Ambrose! 🤝 Efe is sadly not eligible today's fixture, but is in attendance at Borough Park 🔴 #RichHistoryBrightFuture #RedsRiseAgain" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ "Flying Eagles' Star Class of 2007: Where Are They Now? | Wolexis Sports Blog". www.wolexis.com. 15 January 2016. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  45. ^ "FIFA Tournaments". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  46. ^ "Sports 7". Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2008.
  47. ^ Oluwashina Okeleji (10 January 2013). "Nations Cup 2013: Nigeria pick six locally-based players". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  48. ^ "Mikel, Moses, Emenike, Pitroipa named in CAF Team of Tournament". Premium Times Nigeria. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  49. ^ "Ambrose: We leave as giants". FIFA.com. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  50. ^ "Nigeria to take new-look squad to Confederations Cup". BBC Sport. 9 June 2013. Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  51. ^ a b Brown, Anthony (19 May 2018). "Cammy Bell departs Hibs as Efe Ambrose call is slammed". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  52. ^ SkySports.com Player Profile Archived 7 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  53. ^ Fisher, Stewart (25 October 2012). "Ambrose and Wilson making strong case for the Celtic Defence". Herald Scotland. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  54. ^ "Neil Lennon holds breath over Efe Ambrose's somersault celebration". STV Sport. 20 October 2012. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  55. ^ Efe Ambrose at Soccerbase
  56. ^ a b "Ambrose, Efe". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  57. ^ Lamont, Alasdair (26 May 2013). "Hibernian 0–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  58. ^ Wilson, Richard (15 March 2015). "Dundee United 0–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  59. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (15 April 2017). "Hibernian 3–0 Queen of the South". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  60. ^ Johnstone, Darren (27 April 2017). "Hibs defender Efe Ambrose qualifies to collect Championship winner's medal after missing out on medal at Celtic". Deadline News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  61. ^ "Orange CAF Africa Cup of Nations Awards". Orange Africa Cup of Nations South Africa 2013. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  62. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (13 February 2013). "Presidential reward for Super Eagles". Sport. BBC. Lagos. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
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