Onazi hoping to revive his Super Eagles Career

Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has joined Danish Super Liga club SonderjyskE on a one-year contract, as covered by several media platforms.

SonderjyskE reportedly have the option to extend the contract for two more seasons.

Onazi had his most productive period for Nigeria when he and John Obi Mikel complemented each other well between 2013 and 2014. It is quite a shame to read that they fell out in the following years but that is for them to sort out as men (if the story is true). Onazi needs to be playing football so as to get his career back on track. If going to Scandinavia offers him this lifeline, then so be it. I was very hopeful when I heard that he was moving to Crotone in Serie A but we all now know that that move eventually fell through, sadly. Onazi’s interpretation of the centre/defensive midfield position and his application were top notch. He did a lot of the dirty work with poise and grace.

But injuries, dramatic loss of form and fitness issues all conspired to tame what was once a hugely promising career. Onazi needs anger and hunger at this junction of his fast fading career. ‘Anger’ at where he is now against where he really ought to be and renewed ‘hunger’ to navigate him back to a decent level of football. I remember back then when England’s Michael Owen was struggling in club football after a blistering start to his international career (at the 1998 World Cup), a lot of pundits said it was all in his head. If he reaches deep enough inside himself, he could re-discover the long-lost Michael Owen (and not the one that had been slowed down because of injuries and fitness issues).

Onazi should do the same. A route back to the Super Eagles seems like him trying to build a castle in the air at the moment. But he should first of all sort out his club career, then take it from there; one step at a time. Copyright Notice : unauthorized use and copying are prohibited.