Juventus FC head coach Giuseppe Zappella has confessed that Nigerian midfielder Jennifer Echegini is so gifted no one can tell how good she can get, Soccernet.ng reports.
Echegini stole the show inside the Stadio Comunale Vittorio Pozzo Lamarmora in Biella, firing a stunning hat-trick – the first of her professional career – to inspire Juventus women to a brilliant 4-0 victory over Fiorentina.
Only three weeks ago, Fiornetina had claimed a 3-1 win over the Black and Whites at the same stadium to knock them out of the Coppa Italia Women.
Echegini played the last 30 minutes of that encounter, but coach Zappella opted to name the Super Falcons star in the starting lineup on Saturday.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder found the target in the 13th, 55th, and 61st minutes to record her eighth goal in as many games for Juventus.
Only 33-year-old striker Cristiana Girelli (9 goals in 16 games) has more goals than Echegini, who only joined Juventus in January after completing her studies at Florida State University last year.
Juventus coach Zappella, 50, could not hide his amazement at the quality and character of the club's Nigerian import.
“Joe [Echegini] has scored eight goals in just a few weeks,” Zappella said at the post-match press conference.
“She’s a quiet girl, her smiles are good for us, and she scores goals. Honestly, we don’t know what her ceiling is.
“This win gives us some reassurance after more than a month without a win. We're very happy.”
Joe Echegini is also pleased with her contribution that lifted Juventus to their first win since a 4-1 triumph over Napoli on February 18.
The former Florida State Seminoles, who scored 16 collegiate goals in the United States last year, credited her Juventus teammates for her exploits.
“I’m, firstly, really excited, and I want to give props to my team,” the former Arsenal youth academy star said.
“For every one of those goals, we all worked for it and they’re great team goals. I really just had to put myself in the position and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.
“I’m really excited to have had the opportunity to be able to show what I can do; that makes me happy. I just want to make the most out of any opportunity I get, whether I score or not I want to be able to make an impact and I’m glad to have done that today.
“I know my strengths. Last year, I scored 16 goals and knowing that I always try to put myself in the best position to score, that’s one of my best attributes and I want to make use of it as best I can.”
Echegini will hope to carry her goalscoring form to the national team, where she has been included in the squad set to face South Africa this week.
The Super Eagles battle the Banyana Banyana over two legs to determine who qualifies for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
N.B: Do you suggest Jennifer Echegini start Super Falcons' game against South Africa? Leave your comments below.
