If they ever change the rules of soccer to allow hand contact with the ball, Odilichukwu (Dilly) Ohuegbe likely would not object.
The latest recruit for the UNBC Timberwolves men's soccer team has considerable athletic talent not only as a soccer striker/midfielder but is also a steady-handed wide receiver in football.
Now attending high school in Calgary, where he plays soccer for the Foothills Galaxy, Ohuegbe put his blazing speed and and quick reactions to work last fall playing football for the Bishop O'Byrne Bobcats, where he earned offensive MVP honours his first season.
But neither football skills nor his track and field success are what attracted the interest T-wolves head coach Alan Alderson. He's seen the six-foot Ohuegbe make magic with his feet connected to a soccer ball and that's all it took to invite him to join UNBC.
"Dilly is the kind of player that will bring our fans to the edge of their seats every time he gets the ball," said Alderson. "We have made a concerted attempt to add players to our program who have been able to get national championship experience with either their club team or their provincial team and with Dilly we add a player to our university program who has done both."
Ohuegbe moved to Calgary from Sarnia, Ont., in 2009 and the following year joined the National Sport Development Rangers, the 2010 provincial champions, which led to a spot on the Alberta under-14 provincial team and a second-place finish at the national championship.
The following year he made the jump to the U-16 provincial team and also made the grade to join the National Training Centre Prairies training team, based out of Edmonton.
"We are so excited to be adding another player from Alberta who has been a part of the National Training Center Prairies program, the Alberta Provincial Team Program, and also one of the top club teams in Alberta," said Alderson. "Dilly's athleticism, electric pace, work rate and ability to score goals have made him a highly sought after player and we are very happy that he will be utilizing those skills and attributes in a UNBC jersey."
Ohuegbe will play with the Foothills Galaxy this summer alongside committed UNBC recruits Tofa Fankunle and Jake Vickers. Ohuegbe is expected to fit right in playing in the CIS with Timberwolves returning midfielder Tyson Hunter.
The T-wolves open their camp in mid-August.
