Super Eagles midfielder, Obiora Nwankwo has said he is finally enjoying life as a professional footballer after a difficult period.
Obiora joined Portuguese club, Académica de Coimbra on a free transfer for Spanish side, Córdoba on July 31. The midfielder revealed that the deal was basically down to his relationship with the Académica coach, Paulo Sérgio.
“Paulo Sérgio was my coach while I was at (Romanian club), CFR Cluj. He asked me if I would like to play for him at Académica and I said “Yes”. That was that,” Obiora told supersport.com.
The 23-year-old had joined Córdoba in January, 2014 but had a six-month spell to forget as his contract was cancelled by the Spaniards. It came to him as a shock as Córdoba had just been promoted to the top flight (Primeira Division) and he was looking forward to life in the top flight.
He played just six league matches for the club as he had to nurse an injury for most of the period and that necessitated the romance between both parties to come to an abrupt end.
“I had to leave Spain because of my injury. After we got promoted, the club called me and said because I’ve been injured for four months and played only six games, they would have to terminate my contract.
“It was the most shocking thing I heard this year. I told them the injury wasn’t my fault but they had already made up their mind. Things would, however, look up for me because God being a covenant keeping God made sure I was soon smiling. I already had this offer (to come to Portugal) even before last season ended,” he said.
Obiora had previously played club football in Romania and Italy where he turned out for 18-time Italian champions, Internazionale and he identified that period as the best in his career.
“I was a very young footballer then. Training and playing with some of the greatest footballers in the world was an education and a privilege. I even got a chance to play in the UEFA Champions League and that was the best period of my life.
“It’s been rough ever since I left Inter Milan. Moving from one club to another at six months intervals is a complicated thing. I finally feel like I am back on the right track here in Portugal,” he said.
Obiora made his debut on Saturday as Académica drew 1-1 with Lisbon giants, Sporting Club. He played all 90 minutes of the contest and was booked in the 54th minute.
“I mistimed a tackle and got a yellow card. It was a relief to finish the game without picking up another booking because I was walking a tight rope. The standard is very high here. Portuguese football is highly respected all over the world and with great sides like Sporting, Porto and Benfica, I am sure I will grow as a man as a footballer,” he said.
