By Russell Stiger Jr. | OBSERVER Correspondent
Soccer wunderkind Chibuike ”Chibi” Ukaegbu watched from the sidelines as the Sacramento Republic FC won its March 8 home opener, a 2-1 victory over New Mexico United at Heart Health Park.
Despite not playing in the game, the 6-foot-2 center back from Roseville was in a celebratory mood, having just turned 18 the week of the game, surrounded by his teammates and looking forward to future success in his nascent pro career.
Ukaegbu joined Republic FC’s academy at age 14 in 2021. He joined Republic FC’s first team on his first professional contract in November 2023 after two seasons in the club’s Academy system.
Ukaegbu told The OBSERVER his teammates helped make his birthday special, and supported him through his first season. “There were some trials and there were ups and downs, but I know there were a lot of good surprises, like coming in against the San Jose Earthquakes (a 4-3 come from behind victory last year) and doing what I was able to do, and then making my league debut against Pittsburgh. This is just a really exciting season for me.”
Ukaegbu took the field as an injury replacement last season. He started seven games, played in nine and totalled 700 minutes.
Aside from the club noticing him through the academy and the practice time with the Republic FC first team, the United States Men’s National team called up the then 17 year old Ukaegbu to its U-20 training camp. The training camp allowed him to test himself against the nations’ best young players along with scrimmages against the USMNT.
Ukaegbu signed his first pro contract at 16 and is learning and growing watching film and training with the Republic FC first team. “Positioning defensively and watching film was helpful and effective … because if I could see if I wasn’t shifted over far enough on a certain player, or maybe I need to be in a spot I’m not in. If I can improve on those things I can be a better player.”
Ukaegbu is not a guaranteed starter yet, but that’s just one more step on a career path he hopes someday leads to a spot on the USMNT.
As a teenage pro he is learning how to better manage his time and schedule.
“Yeah, you know, with this, I’m kind of, like, forced to grow up a little quicker than, you know, most,” he said. “Being able to manage time correctly has really made me better over the past year. I’ve kind of grown more as a pro, and I’ve been able to, you know, step in more and more every day.”
Republic FC started the season with a new coach, Neill Collins, new kits (uniforms), and the excitement of a new stadium coming. The goal of winning at all levels of the club remains the same.
The club plays Colorado Springs March 22 at Heart Health Park (Cal Expo) 7:00 p.m.
UPCOMING MATCHES:
3/22 VS Colorado Springs
4/5 vs Louisville
5/10 vs Indy