Emmanuel Dennis: Can Nottingham Forest outcast emulate Yakubu Aiyegbeni at Blackburn?

Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Dennis, has vowed to give his all for EFL Championship side, 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. Since then, he’s been alienated from the Nottingham Forest senior team and has yet to play a minute of football this season.

In a bid to resolve his future, the former Club Brugge attacker headed to Blackburn Rovers on a six-month loan, and cannot wait to get started.

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“Rovers are in a very good position and the team plays good football, so I hope I can add a bit of something to the team for us to have a good time together. Goals are no problem, but I also like having fun, showing tricks, nutmegs and exciting the fans, because that’s what they come to the stadium to see. They come for fun, some happy moments and victories.”

“I’m a happy guy, I’m always happy and it’s a good feeling when I’m scoring goals. I’m excited to go out there in front of the fans and they’re going to have a good time with me,” the former FC Koln forward said as per Rovers TV.

Following a transfer to Blackburn Rovers, Dennis becomes the fourth Nigerian to move to Ewood Park, behind Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Dickson Etuhu, and Hope Akpan.

The Yak

The Rovers have had a fairly rich history with Nigerian footballers, most especially with retired Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

Yak moved to Ewood Park from Everton at the start of the 2010/2011 English Premier League season, and although Blackburn were relegated to the EFL Championship, the former Super Eagles striker had his best spell in the English top-flight in that campaign.

In 30 league games, Aiyegbeni scored 17 goals, although he left the following season because he wanted to play top-flight football. A year later, he signed for Chinese side Guangzhou City.

Can Dennis follow Aiyegbeni’s steps?

Let’s be honest, Dennis has big shoes to fill. Aiyegbeni might not be the most famous name amongst Nigerian football fans, most likely due to his horrendous miss against South Korea at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. His miss meant the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the round of sixteen.

Nonetheless, Yak’s name is in the Premier League’s history books. He scored 95 League goals in 292 appearances and ranked 5th amongst Africans with the most goals in the English top flight.

Dennis has never been a player to rely on for 15+ goals per season, but his work rate whenever he’s on the pitch is commendable. The Blackburn fans can expect Yak’s work rate from the Nottingham Forest loanee, but certainly not his goals. Additionally, he’s got at least until the end of the season to make his mark at Ewood Park.

Dennis’ best individual season came in the 2017/2018 campaign, during his time at Club Brugge where he scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 38 games under Philipp Clement. His most famous moment came the following year when he celebrated against Real Madrid with the famous Cristiano Ronaldo Siuu goal celebration.

Blackburn Rovers are currently 5th in the EFL Championship standings and are hopeful Dennis’ signature will aid them in their pursuit of top-flight status.