Eagles focus on World Cup qualification – Onazi

Nigeria’s young and vibrant squad is thinking of little else apart from qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, so says stand-in Captain, Eddy Ogenyi Onazi. The petite but lion-hearted midfielder spoke on Sunday during a meeting of the Super Eagles with the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, at the team’s Crowne Plaza London Ealing hotel. He said: “I am always delighted anytime I look at the faces of everyone in camp. The determination is real and infectious. It is a young and focused group; we all want to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2018 and the next Africa Cup of Nations.

Onazi Ogenyi shares Inspirational Photo & Words

Super Eagles footballer, Onazi Ogenyi has energized his fns with few words and a photo this morning. The Turkish Super League, Trabzonspor player said inspiration can be found from others, but determination is your responsibility.

Footballer, Onazi Ogenyi Spotted at local ‘Akara’ frying spot

Footballer, Onazi Ogenyi, with Turkish club, Trabzonspor was recently spotted at a local spot, where a woman fries beans cake, popularly called, ‘Akara’. The soccer star shared the photo on his Twitter handle and captioned it:

CAF bans Ogenyi Onazi for misconduct

The Confederation of African Football has slammed a two-match ban on Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ midfielder Ogenyi Onazi over his sending-off in Saturday’ s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad. The SS Lazio of Italy player was shown a straight red card for retaliation.

'How I escaped Jos Bomb blasts' – Onazi, Super Eagles midfielder Reveals

   

 Ogenyi Onazi says he feels fortunate to be alive after he narrowly avoided last week’s bombings in the city of Jos.

The blasts at a crowded bus terminal and market killed at least 118 people.

Onazi, 21, who was born in Jos, had just left the popular Jos Main Market last Tuesday, when the first blast rocked the area.

The midfielder, who plays for Italian Serie A side Lazio, said: “I am very, very lucky, just by the grace of God.”

Onazi is now with the Super Eagles squad in London as they prepare for today’s friendly against Scotland and he says he has been struggling to erase the memories of that dark day.

Recounting his lucky escape, he told BBC Sport: “It was just like an ordinary day. Happy faces and friendly warmth that makes you feel happy to be back home.

“We had gone to the railway market to get something. I think it was 15 minutes later when we heard the loud blast from the place. And suddenly, people were just running.

“There was chaos and pandemonium. There was smoke, I was confused, lost and just wondered what had happened. I had no idea what was going on and it was scary.

“All my life I have never heard a bang or boom like that.”

The second blast killed some of the rescue workers who had rushed to the scene, which was obscured by billows of black smoke.

A week later, far away from the city where his parents are based and preparing for his first World Cup with the Super Eagles, Onazi insists the unrest back home has made it difficult to focus on football.

“Some will say I should be happy to be alive but I just feel concerned about the security challenges in Jos and Nigeria as a country,” he said.

“I was born and bred in a peaceful Jos. I may be fortunate enough to live outside the place right now, but I still have my family and friends who live in the city.

“I always get worried when there are reports of terrible incidents there on a regular basis. It’s sad and depressing to live with this.

“Personally, I think there is a need for a holistic approach to solving this problem once and for all.

“Innocent people are dying and the government seriously needs to step up security across the country.”

Another blast happened in Jos days after that incident, in an explosion that targeted football fans watching the European Champions League final, the authorities said.

At least three people died and three others were injured in the blast, according to Chris Olakpe, the commissioner of police for Plateau state.

 vanguardngr  

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Keep your millions, Onazi tells Liverpool, Tottenham

 

Lazio midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has insisted that he is enjoying his career at Italian Serie A side, Lazio and wants to remain in Italy for few more years.

The former Golden Eaglets playmaker has been a big revelation for his Serie A outfit and his form this season has alerted a host of clubs around Europe, with Liverpool and Tottenham leading the chase.

The Reds showed keen interest in signing the Nigeria international during the January transfer window but failed to agree a deal before the close of the winter window; and with Brendan Rodgers planning a summer spending spree, the 21-year-old is back on his radar and is reportedly ready to splash 10 million pounds on him.

But, in phone chat with Newswatch Sports from his base in Italy, Onazi said he is enjoying himself with the Biancazzurris.

“I am delighted to hear that a big team like Liverpool are making moves to get me, but it’s only in the pages of the newspapers, they are one of the European football giants. It’s a great honour to hear that considering the fact that it’s the dream of every player to play for some of the best teams in Europe.

“It’s an evidence that what you are doing is being appreciated by people. But for now, I am enjoying myself here and having one of the best moments of my career. May be I will play for them some time some day in the near future, you never can tell,’’ predicted Onazi who is expected to marshall Nigeria’s midfield at the World Cup.

Onazi has played 39 games in all competitions this season and has scored two goals. The mercurial midfielder was also one of Stephen Keshi’s anchor men in the Super Eagles as Nigeria picked her fifth World Cup qualification in history.
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