Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, says he’s
truly living his dream life in the cosy Italian city of
Parma.
Speaking exclusively to The Nation Sports & Style
recently, the Parma FC midfielder reflected on his
career and life in the ancient city and noted that
he’s enjoying every bit of life in the ‘beautiful
city’.
Hear him: “When I got to Lazio I was put in Team
B, so I had to work very hard in training and on
the pitch to achieve lots of strength and stability
in the team. I was desperate for success and
everybody in the team knew. I was quite young
at that time and knew that to command regular
shirt would be tough. I knew the only way to
achieve my dream of first team shirt was to be
committed and dedicated. So when I got the
opportunity I was able to justify the first team
shirt. I was born to play and be great. I love the
club and the cosy life in Lazio. The city is also
beautiful. The fans and the management of the
club are fantastic and I have never regretted my
life in the team because I am already living my
dream.”
Onazi, for many that do not know him too well, is
a ‘promised child’.
Until recently when he became a household name
being sought by Eagles handler, Stephen Keshi,
to hold his midfield alongside Mikel Obi, Onazi was
a youngster in the colours of My People FC; a
youth team put together by televangelist TB
Joshua.
While Onazi was a key player in Nigeria’s recent
Africa Cup of Nations’ victory, this was not the
first time that the 20-year-old has been brought
to public attention. In fact, few players have been
raised and developed with such expectation and
anticipation as Onazi. His progress has long been
a subtle narrative for Nigerians.
Onazi and his compatriot, Sani Emmanuel, were
selected for the Nigerian U17 team before long
and soon earned moves to Europe, and to Italian
giants, Lazio.
Since the transfer, Onazi has flourished, and at
the time of writing this piece has taken his game
to the national level. Onazi, who has identified
Chelsea as an ideal future home, speaks on other
issues. Excerpts:
Flying high with Eagles
I will like to say I have been so fortunate to
maintain my regularity in the national team. It
was not that I am perfect in commanding regular
shirts but I think God has been so helpful to me
not only in Super Eagles but in my career
generally. I came into the national team with
passion and visions and I thank God my dreams
are perfectly coming through.
Patience in career
My career generally has something to do with
time. I endured a lot with prayer and
determination to get to this level of my career. It
took me lots of patience because I have believed
in God’s time, which is the best. During my
endurance, I tried as much to learn a lot of things
in the game and also held my determination to be
a better player. So I would like to say, the awaited
time of God is paving ways to my success at the
moment.
Afcon glory
I was born to be a champion. I will forever be a
living champion because I have been ordained to
live, conquer and be successful. I went to South
Africa with a huge confidence. But I never
disclosed it to anybody. The game of football is
about one philosophy; you must not doubt your
mind, the moment you doubt your faith, it will
definitely shake off. I went to the tournament
with big faith of winning. Even when critics
started kicking against the team, my faith was
intact. I had that belief that Eagles would
conquer in South Africa and it became stronger
when we beat Cote’d’ Ivoire. I see the Ivoirians as
the tournament’s main threat to the Super Eagles
and we handled the game well. That was when
our critics started believing that we could go all
the way to win the trophy.
God-made
When you work in God’s directions and obey his
commandment, you are bound for greatness. I
am God-made because I dedicate everything I
have to him because he has been wonderful to
me at every point of my career. The first thing I
do on waking up is to praise his name before any
other thing. And I always see that effect in my
daily activities because I have put him before
anything.
Making waves in Lazio
When I got to Lazio I was put in Team B, so I had
to work very hard in training and on the pitch to
achieve lots of strength and stability in the team.
I was desperate for success and everybody in the
team knew that. I was quite young at that time
and knew that to command a regular shirt would
be tough. I knew the only way to achieve my
dream of first team shirt was to be committed
and dedicated. So when I got the opportunity I
was able to justify the first team shirt.
I was born to play and be great. I love the club
and the cosy life in Lazio. The city is also
beautiful. The fans and the management of the
club are fantastic and I have never regretted my
life in the team because I am already living my
dream.
Onazi, the midfielder
I improve with every action tasted in Lazio and
that is the magic of my game. I work hard to play
better than my last game. I don’t believe I can’t
do anything my mates are doing. I think it is a
general thing in a footballer’s career; the more
you play, the better you become intelligently.
Consistency has really paid off for me because I
find joy mostly on the pitch especially when I am
doing my job well. However, I am not yet there
because there are many great footballers in the
world today, that is why I am not resting on my
oars. I am taking my game higher, higher and
higher every day. As a midfielder, you must be
dynamic in your style of play and let your team
mates feel your impact either in defending or
offence; so I am putting lots of creativity into my
games.
Positivity
I love living a positive life even in the world of
negativity. I am always positive.
Off the pitch
I play snooker to unwind. I can never get tired of
it. It is another great game that I love with a
passion. I play the game well and my teammates
know I’m really good at it.