By Obi Martins
It is no longer news that Nigerian footballers are finding the English premiership – a safe haven. Last month, Osaze Odemwingie moved to West Brom. Now, the latest to join the league of Nigerian footballers in the premiership is Victor Obinna Nsofor, who has moved on loan from Inter Milan to West Ham United.
Victor Obinna is already targeting a “massive game” this Saturday when West Ham United welcome old rivals Chelsea to the Boleyn Ground.
“I am very happy and excited about moving to West Ham, I also want to thank the coach for choosing me. He has had the confidence to bring me to London and I think my game will suit the Premier League. I am looking forward to helping the club move to the next level.Β If I can play against Chelsea, it will be a massive game for me. I know what derby matches mean for the fans and how it is important to give everything you can. I am sure the atmosphere will be fantastic,” he said.
Like his fellow Hammers forward Pablo Barrera, Obinna has only just turned 23. Both are part of Avram Grant’s vision for a pacy attack that moves forward with freedom, but in an organised way. At such a young age, it is no surprise that Obinna turned to a wise old head for some advice about his move from Inter.
“I spoke to the Legend, he continues, as we call him in Nigeria for advice. [Portsmouth striker] Kanu is the king. He said many good things. He was so excited for me to come here. He gave me some advice before signing for West Ham and told me to go for it. He encouraged me. He has played under the manager and said they had a very positive relationship.”
He also sounded out his colleagues in the Nigeria set-up, with several like Joseph Yobo, Yakubu Ayegbeni and John Obi Mikel playing in the Barclays Premier League. “I have spoken to all of my team-mates in the national team. They are so excited.
“I know about the club, and the expectation here. I believe West Ham have a good team. Last season they played well at times but unfortunately didn’t always get the results. I believe it will take a little time but we will be back and show what we can do. It is going to be exciting and I can’t wait to play for the fans.”
An exciting forward blessed with blistering pace and a powerful shot, Obinna spent four years in Italy before joining Spanish La Liga side Malaga CF on loan for the 2009/10 campaign. Obinna returned to Inter earlier this summer, scoring twice in a 3-0 pre-season friendly victory over Manchester City in Baltimore last month.
The club’s sixth signing of the summerΒ – after Thomas Hitzlsperger, Tal BenΒ Haim, Winston Reid, Pablo Barrera and Freddie Piquionne –Β began his career with Nigerian clubs Plateau United, Kwara United and Enyimba before moving to Italian side AC Chievo Verona on a five-year contract in July 2005.
The young African scored 19 goals in 82 league matches at Chievo, including helping them to the Serie B title in 2007/08.
Internazionale moved to secure Obinna’s services in summer 2008 and he went on to make nine Serie A appearances in his first season at San Siro, scoring in a 4-0 victory over AS Roma as the Nerazzurri won the title for a third consecutive season.
At international level, the speedy forward first caught the eye at the 2006 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, scoring in the quarter-final victory over Tunisia.
Two years later, Obinna captained the Super Eagles to the final of the Olympic football tournament in Beijing, scoring three times as Nigeria defeated Japan, United States, Ivory Coast and Belgium on course to winning the Silver Medal.
After scoring four times in helping Nigeria to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Obinna appeared at his third Africa Cup of Nations tournament in January, scoring the winner in his nigeriaβs 1-0 third-place play-off victory over Algeria.
On the part of Nigerians, itβs a good thing most of Nigerian players now ply their trade in the same country. This will help make Coach Samson Siasiaβs job easier when assembling the players for the forth-coming African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
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