Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Dennis has expressed his excitement after joining Blackburn Rovers, drawing inspiration from Nigerian football legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Aiyegbeni, famously known as “The Yak,” was a fan favourite at Ewood Park, scoring 18 goals in 33 games during the 2011/12 Premier League season.
One of his most memorable performances came in December 2011 when he netted four goals in a 4-2 win over Swansea City.
Dennis, who made a move to Blackburn in the January transfer window after falling out of favour at Nottingham Forest, hopes to follow in Yakubu’s footsteps and help the club return to the Premier League.
Inspired by Yakubu’s Legacy
Dennis has long admired Aiyegbeni and sees him as a role model, not just for Nigerian footballers but for African players in general.
“Yakubu played here, and growing up, I watched him a lot. It’s a club I’ve been familiar with since my time in Nigeria, so I was very happy they wanted me, and I was eager to join the club,” Dennis said.
He also praised Aiyegbeni’s impact, highlighting his prolific goal-scoring ability as a major source of motivation.
“He scored so many goals! Yakubu is a huge figure in Nigeria and African football. His contributions to the Premier League are remarkable.”
A Tough Start at Blackburn
Before joining Blackburn, Dennis had been inactive for both club and country since April 2024, during his loan spell with Watford.
He finally made his return to action on Sunday in an FA Cup clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where his side suffered a 2-0 defeat.
It wasn’t the ideal debut for Dennis, as he was substituted in the 66th minute. However, Blackburn’s manager remained optimistic, noting the positives from the Nigerian’s performance.
“I thought Emmanuel [Dennis] showed glimpses of what a good player he can be. Augustus [Kargbo] was really good, really exciting. When we got the ball out to him, I thought Yuri did well for his first start. He hasn’t played for a while, so to get 90 minutes into his leg was really pleasing,” the coach said.
Dennis played 25 games for Nottingham Forest, scoring just two goals before falling out of favour. He spent the final six months of last season on loan at Watford in the EFL Championship before returning to the City Ground.
Struggling to break into Nuno Espírito Santo’s plans at Forest, the Nigerian forward opted for another loan move, this time to Blackburn Rovers, hoping to revive his career and get regular playing time.
As Dennis looks to settle in at Blackburn, he will be eager to rediscover his best form and prove he can be the goal threat that the club needs.
The post “I Want to Follow in Yakubu’s Footsteps at Blackburn” – Emmanuel Dennis appeared first on Latest Sports News In Nigeria.