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Tag: Onazi

  • Onazi demands  urgent action on drunk driving after  Lagos scare

    Onazi demands  urgent action on drunk driving after  Lagos scare

    Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has called on authorities to clamp down on drunk driving in Lagos following a terrifying near-fatal encounter with intoxicated motorists.

    The 2013 AFCON-winning midfielder took to Instagram to recount the incident, which occurred on Sunday night, describing reckless driving under the influence as a growing menace on Lagos roads.

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     “The government has to do something about drunk people driving in Lagos,” Onazi wrote. “I almost lost my life last night with two drunk boys in the car.”

    The 33-year-old urged the government and relevant agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, to strengthen enforcement and introduce stiffer penalties, warning that lives remain at constant risk without decisive action.

    Onazi enjoyed a distinguished international career, featuring for Nigeria at the 2013 Confederations Cup, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and earning a place in the 2018 World Cup squad before injury ruled him out.

  • Onazi assures Nigeria will beat South Africa

    Onazi assures Nigeria will beat South Africa

    Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is optimistic that Nigeria will defeat South Africa in next week’s FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo.

    The Super Eagles will host Bafana Bafana in Uyo as they aim to rejuvenate their campaign after a shaky start to the qualifiers.

    With only two points from a possible six, Nigeria currently sit in third position in Group C, where only the top team qualifies automatically for the World Cup.

    Onazi, who was part of the Nigerian squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, believes this group of Eagles has what it takes to secure their first three points of the qualifiers.

     “South Africa is a very tough team but I am sure we are going to beat them this time around,” the Avezzano midfielder stated.

    “We beat them at the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast and I am sure the boys have the advantage now as they will be confident of their chances.

    “South Africa and Nigeria games are always fierce and it is like a local derby. The Eagles will not have it easy but they will get the win.

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    Onazi has had several notable encounters with South Africa during his tenure with the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team.

    Onazi believes that a cohesive and well-coordinated team is essential for achieving victory on matchday against South Africa.

    “A new coach is around but he is well-known to the players so I doubt it should be an issue,” Onazi said.

    “Hopefully, the coach and the players are on the same wavelength. If that is the case then I see no reason why we will not qualify.

    “The boys are hungry for the World Cup and they will do their best on matchday. I am confident we will win that game,” he concluded.

  • Onazi rejects Spartak Moscow

    Super Eagles’ and Trabzonspor of Turkey midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has rejected a summer move to Russian side Spartak Moscow, Scorenigeria.com.ng reports.

    Onazi, who won the 2013 Nations Cup with Super Eagles in South Africa, was on the verge of Trabzonspor exit over the financial state of the club which led to contractual debts.

    Spartak then came knocking and the former Nigeria youth international fell for it. However, Scorenigeria.com.ng learnt that after receiving assurances from Trabzonspor hierarchy of improvements in their finances for the coming season and that all  grey areas would be sorted, Onazi called off his potential exit plan.

    “Onazi is staying back at Trabzonspor”, Scorenigeria.com.ng was told by the former Lazio midfielder’s close pal.

    “Trabzonspor has even started paying what they owe him. We spoke last week and he told me they have paid him some and that they have assured him their finances would be okay this coming season. That was the reason he decided not to move to Spartak Moscow”.

    Onazi was one of the 23-man Super Eagles’ squad members to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but didn’t kick a ball at the tournament.

  • Onazi: Team spirit is crucial

    Onazi: Team spirit is crucial

     

    Super Eagles’ captain in today’s AFCON qualifier, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi has said that the existing peaceful co-existence among Super Eagles has made it very easy for the new ones in the team to integrate quickly.

    Onazi hinted that the fact that there is no division in the camp has made it imperative for the team to be fired up ahead of today’s encounter with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and approaching the game with the mindset not negotiating for anything but the maximum points.

    The Trabzonspor of Turkey midfielder however urged Nigerians to pray for the National team to be able to have an outright win in Uyo.

  • Onazi undecided despite ‘lots of offers’ from China

    Onazi undecided despite ‘lots of offers’ from China

    NIGERIA midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has revealed he has received offers to move to China from Turkish club Trabzonspor, but he has yet to take a decision.

    Eagles skipper Mikel Obi as well as fellow internationals Odion Ighalo, Brown Ideye and Chinedu Obasi have taken the huge fortunes offered by China to quit Europe. And Onazi has now confirmed he has also been tempted by the huge Chinese cash.

    “Yes, there are a lot of offers from China for me. The Chinese league is tempting players with a lot of money, but there so many other things to consider,” Onazi told AfricanFootball.com “But I haven’t decided yet;If I will move, you will soon know.”

    Last week, the former Lazio star ruled himself out of a transfer to the Far East, insisting he is still young and has a lot more to accomplish in Europe before he goes for the big pay day in China.

  • Onazi returns to the classroom

    Onazi returns to the classroom

     

     

    Trabzonspor’s Ogenyi Onazi is set to return to classroom after visiting tutors in a special basic school in Turkey.

    Onazi who moved from Lazio to the Turkish Super Lig side in August has netted twice in 18 league appearances and could

    The Super Eagles midfielder who is a lover of books shared his experience on Instagram. Trabzonspor are 9th on the log in the 18-team Süper Lig table.

    The 6-time super Lig winners and 8-time super Cup winners take on take on Osmanlıspor on Saturday.

  • Battle of Ndola! We’ll do our talking on the pitch – Onazi

    Trabzonspor midfielder, Ogenyi  Onazi has insisted that the Super Eagles will do their talking on the pitch as they seek to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    The three-time African champions open their campaign against the Chipolopolo on Sunday, October 9 with the hope of claiming the sole ticket available ahead of Zambia, Algeria, and Cameroon in Group B.

    Speaking exclusively to SportingLife, Onazi said: “Nigerians will see the fighting spirit in us and know that we are ready.

    “Honestly, we don’t want to be making promises and talking too much. We just want to do our job.

    “We want to qualify the country for the World Cup. No too much talk – we want to talk on the pitch.”

    Onazi, who played under new Super Eagles Gaffer Gernot Rohr for the first time during the 1-0 win against Tanzania in the final match of the 2017 African Nations Cup qualifiers (AFCON), revealed that the team is ready to help the German succeed.

    “The team is solidly behind him to achieve everything possible,” the former Lazio midfielder added.

    Onazi began life in Turkey for his new club Trabzonspor with a brace on his debut and it will be great to see him get among the goals against Zambia in Ndola.

  • Trabzonspor 2-0 Kasimpasa: Onazi dedicates debut goals to wife

    Trabzonspor 2-0 Kasimpasa: Onazi dedicates debut goals to wife

    Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has dedicated his first goals for new club Trabzonspor to his wife, Sandra following an opening day Match-of-the-Match performance in the 2-0 win against Kasimpasa.

    The 23-year-old was the cynosure of all eyes as he netted a brace on his debut in the opening day of the Turkish league, which left fans of the club absolutely delighted with their new acquisition.

    He opened scoring in the 20th minute to give Trabzonspor a first half lead over Kasimpasa who had Chelsea defender, Kenneth Omeruo on loan last season and completed his brace on the dot of 90minutes to seal victory.

    In an exclusively chat with SportingLife, Onazi said: “My wife told me before I left for the game that I should score for her which I said ‘Amen’ so it’s only right that I dedicate the goals to her.”

    The former My People FC star also thanked his teammates for their support when he tweeted later in the day, he wrote: “When the grace of God speaks favour begins to come, thanks to my team mate, #debut2goals #debut2goals ????????”

    Onazi joined Trabzonspor this summer after five years with Serie A giants Lazio where he scored six times from 77 appearances.

  • Panathinaikos chase Onazi again

    Panathinaikos chase Onazi again

    Greek Super League powerhouse, Panathinaikos are showing interest in Lazio’s Nigeria international, Eddy Onazi.

    Tuttomercatoweb.com is reporting that The Greens higher-ups have opened a line of communication with the representative of the central midfielder over the possibility of moving to the capital side this summer.

    Panathinaikos attempted to sign Onazi and his childhood pal, Sani Emmanuel prior to his transfer to Lazio and invited both for trials, but a deal did not materialise.

    With the former My People ace tied to Lazio until the summer of 2018, he will not come cheap.

    The 23-year-old captained the Super Eagles in their wins against Mali and Luxembourg last month.

  • Marriage stops Onazi’s transfer move

    Marriage stops Onazi’s transfer move

    Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi will be focused on arranging a befitting wedding ceremony in June and not on the transfer market, Goal has been told.

    He was linked with moves to Trabzonspor, Swansea City and Everton during the January transfer window.

    The 23-year-old will marry his fiancée Miss Sandra Ogunsuyi in Lagos on June 18 and everything is being put in place to ensure the success of the ceremony.

    Afterwards, it would be a proper honeymoon for the lovebirds whose pre-wedding pictures have been published by several high profile blogs and celebrity gossip sites since April.

    Ifada Johnson, the player’s representative, told Goal that their focus at the moment is to pull off a grand ceremony before any thoughts of a potential move.

    “Right now, his wedding is the primary thing that needs attention. Hopefully, when the season ends we will look in that direction,” Johnson told Goal.

    This could mean that Onazi would no longer be pursuing a place in the Nigeria Olympic squad after showing interest previously.

    “I spoke with [Samson Siasia] and it will be another chance for me to represent my country to achieve something important, for my country and for myself as well. I will be glad to be part of the [Olympic] team,” Onazi told Goal in April.

    Onazi scored twice in all 20 appearances for Lazio as they finished eighth in the Serie A during the 2015/16 season. He has been called up for the Super Eagles’s pair of international friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg later this month.