With the African Cup of Nations kicking off this week, NTOF will be looking at some of the most interesting African players to grace Scottish football. This time we are looking at former Hibernian and Nigeria centre-back Efe Ambrose.
Efe Ambrose arrived at Hibernian in 2017 with something to prove. He had won plenty of trophies with Celtic, but had a reputation for making errors at times.
Lennon had no doubts about player
(photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Despite the reputation, Hibs boss Neil Lennon had no doubts about the player’s qualities. Indeed, Ambrose started to prove the doubters wrong quickly. He was named as the Championship player of the month only two months after joining Hibs.
He was a key man in helping the team win promotion back to the Premiership. Ambrose’s good performances continued in the Premiership.
(photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
He made 45 appearances for Hibs, helping them to a fourth place finish in their return to the Premiership.
Left the club despite being a regular
Despite being a regular once more for Hibs last season, Ambrose decided to exercise a clause in his contract and leave Easter Road in January.
(Photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
He later moved to Derby, but has been released without ever playing a game for them. Would Hibs fans take him back to Easter Road? You would think they would, he has proven that he still has what it takes to play in the Premiership.
As yet Hibs don’t seem to have approached the player. Perhaps they have moved on. In that case, Ambrose will remain the cult hero who proved the doubters wrong.