AFCON 2013: Super Eagles Player Profile – Ogenyi Onazi

By Arinze Ude

The Lazio youngster was born on December 25, 1992 in Lagos. He started his career with Prophet TB Joshua’s My People FC, an academy set up by the preacher to promote and encourage young footballers. He came to the fore in 2009 when Nigeria hosted the U-17 World Championship, losing the final to Switzerland. Shortly after the tournament, he was signed by Italian side, Lazio alongside My People FC and U-17 team mate, Sani Emmanuel. He was promoted to the Lazio first team in 2011/2012 season and made his debut in the penultimate game of the season against Atalanta at Bergamo, coming on as a substitute in the 90th minute. This season, he’s seen more game time alongside Christian Ledesma in Lazio’s defensive midfield thus attracting the interest of London based club, Tottenham Hotspur. He scored on his International debut for Nigeria against Venezuela on 15th November 2012 and was named in the 2013 AFCON squad. The rookie, playing in his first AFCON tournament, came on as a substitute for Fegor Ogude in the 70th minute of Nigeria’s opening game against Sunday opponent, Burkina Faso. He was deployed as a right back in the absence of injured Joseph Yobo and suspended Efe Ambrose in Nigeria’s next group game against Zambia. He was a constant fixture in the Eagles’ starting line up throughout the tournament and was instrumental in their victory over Burkina Faso. He was famous for always shouting “TBJ” into the camera after every Nigerian win in South Africa.