Dennis vows to emulate Yakubu at Blackburn despite debut loss against Wolves

Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Dennis, has vowed to follow in the steps of retired Nigerian striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, as he begins his journey with Blackburn Rovers, after departing Nottingham Forest on loan, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old last kicked a ball for club and country in April 2024, during his loan spell with Watford, before making his Rovers debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup. His side lost 2-0.

⏱️ Full-time: #Rovers 0-2 #Wolves

We exit the FA Cup.#ROVvWOL ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/RnEW1LrqI0

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 9, 2025

However, prior to the game, Dennis revealed his hunger to follow in the footsteps of another Nigerian who trod the Blackburn path. Yakubu Aiyegbeni, in the 2010/2011, scored 17 goals in 30 games for the Rovers.

The Hawthorns Watford s Emmanuel Dennis left and West Bromwich Albion s Darnell Furlong in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture date: Monday April 1, 2024. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

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“I am very hungry. I really want to play football and hope that we are going to have great moments together,” the Nottingham Forest loaner told RoversTV.

“I am really excited to be back (playing), I will give my all to the club and I really appreciate them bringing me here. I am going to give them everything. It is a good time (to join) because we are in a very good position in the table and playing good football.

“Before coming here, I analysed how they play and I like it. I hope I can add something to the team and we can have good times together,” the former Club Brugge man revealed.

L-R Thibaut Courtois, Emmanuel Dennis of Club Brugge KV 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Real Madrid and Club Brugge at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on October 01, 2019. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Dennis was inspired by fellow Nigerian Yakubu during his younger years and was elated to wear the blue and white shirt.

“Yakubu played here and growing up, I watched him play. It is a club I am very familiar with from growing up in Nigeria. I was really pleased they wanted me, 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 games and he was a really good player,” the Super Eagles forward concluded.

Watford v Leeds United Sky Bet Championship Emmanuel Dennis of Watford celebrates scoring their second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at Vicarage Road, Watford. [Photo Credit / Imago].

Dennis played 66 minutes at the Ewood Park in Lancashire this afternoon, but couldn’t help his side as they crumbled to Wolves. First half goals from João Gomes and Matheus Cunha sealed Wolves spot in the FA cup next round.