| Birth date | 21 October 2006 (19) |
|---|---|
| Position | Winger |
| Nationalteam 1 | Nigeria U-20 |
Clinton Jephta is a Nigerian professional footballer who currently plays as a winger for the Finnish Veikkausliiga team FC Inter Turku, on loan from the Nigeria Premier League side, Niger Tornadoes.[1] Known for his pace, dribbling ability and attacking instinct, Jephta emerged as one of the promising young players in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) before gaining international exposure with Nigeria's U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles.[2][3]
Club career
Early career
Jephta started his football career in Nigeria's grassroots football system, where his pace and ability to play in wide attacking areas quickly distinguished him among his peers. His performances at youth level helped him earn a move to Nigeria Nationwide League One side FC One Rocket, where he quickly progressed to Nigeria Premier League side Niger Tornadoes. After spending one season with Niger Tornadoes, he joined Nigeria's most successful football club Enyimba[4], before returning to Niger Tornadoes a year later on a free transfer. In May 2024, Jephta won the NPFL player of the month.[5]
In March 2026, after a trial with the club earlier in the year, Jephta officially joined FC Inter Turku on a 4-month loan contract with an option to buy. He made his debut for the club in a Finnish League Cup match against FC Lahti on February 14, before his transfer was finalised.[1] On May 9, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win over FF Jaro.[6]
International career
Nigeria U-20
Jephta's performances at club level earned him a place in Nigeria's U-20 national team, popularly known as the Flying Eagles.
He became part of the squad that competed in the WAFU B U-20 Championship, where Nigeria delivered a strong performance and reached the final after defeating Niger in the semi-finals. During the tournament, Jephta was widely regarded as one of the standout performers in the Nigerian team, contributing significantly to the team's attacking play.
Following the regional success, he was included in Nigeria's squad for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. The Flying Eagles eventually finished third in the tournament after defeating host nation Egypt in a penalty shootout to secure the bronze medal.
Jephta expressed confidence during the competition that the team had the ambition and quality to challenge for the continental title, reflecting the belief within the squad during the campaign.[7][8][9]
References
- ^ niko (2026-04-23). "Clinton Jephta FC Interiin lainalle" (in Finnish). FC Inter. Retrieved 2026-05-23.
- ^ "Flying Eagles to Egypt: Oliseh, Jephta and Kparobo lead star-studded U20 team for Africa Cup of Nations". Pulse Sports Nigeria. 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ Adesanya, Taiwo (2024-05-11). "Clinton Jephta, Ogunbote win NPFL Player, Coach of the Month award". Daily Post. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ Adesanya, Taiwo (2024-09-10). "NPFL: Jephta reflects on Enyimba debut against Heartland". Daily Post. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ Adesanya, Taiwo (2024-05-11). "Clinton Jephta, Ogunbote win NPFL Player, Coach of the Month award". Daily Post. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ henrikurtti (2026-05-09). "Inter nousee suvereenilla esityksellä sarjakärjeksi!" (in Finnish). FC Inter. Retrieved 2026-05-23.
- ^ Amos, Kobor (2025-04-18). "2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations: Bameyi, Jephta, lead 22 others to Egypt". The Guardian. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ Dairo, Fisayo (2024-10-28). "WAFU B U20: Nigeria outclass Niger to set up Ghana final". ACLSports. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ Editor, Score Nigeria (2024-11-01). "Top 3 Flying Eagles stars from 2024 WAFU Cup triumph". Score Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-03-04.