Ogenyi Onazi

1. Early Life and Youth Career

Ogenyi Onazi's football journey began in 1998, where he started playing on the streets of his hometown, Jos, Nigeria. His early talent and skills quickly drew attention, providing him opportunities to join local academies. He initially developed his abilities at the Pepsi Football Academy before joining the youth setup of El-Kanemi Warriors.

Driven by his burgeoning footballing abilities, Onazi later moved to the city of Lagos to play for My People FC, a club specifically established by Pastor T.B. Joshua with the aim of nurturing talented young players. During this period, Onazi, alongside his teammate Sani Emmanuel, underwent trials in England, Greece, and Italy, seeking opportunities to advance their careers in European football. These trials followed their notable performances in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where Onazi and the Nigerian U-17 team reached the final on home soil, ultimately finishing as runners-up after losing to the Swiss team.

2. Club Career

Ogenyi Onazi's professional club career has spanned several countries, beginning with his impactful tenure in Italy before moving to Turkey and subsequently to various clubs across different leagues.

2.1. S.S. Lazio

Onazi joined Lazio in 2011, arriving with his youth teammate, Sani Emmanuel. After impressing at the youth level, he was promoted to the Lazio first team during the 2011-12 season. His Serie A debut came on 6 May 2012, in the penultimate match of the season against Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo. He entered the match as a substitute in the 90th minute, replacing Senad Lulić, in a game Lazio won 2-0. Onazi's debut marked him as the second Nigerian player to feature for Lazio, following Stephen Makinwa.

During the 2012-13 season, Onazi saw increased playing time under coach Vladimir Petković. He often featured in a defensive midfielder role, frequently partnering with Cristian Ledesma. A significant moment was his start in a UEFA Europa League match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 21 September 2012, which ended in a 0-0 draw. On 7 March 2013, he scored his first goal for Lazio against Stuttgart in the Europa League last sixteen, contributing to a victory. His first Serie A goal followed on 8 May 2013, in a 3-1 win over Inter Milan. He scored his second Serie A goal for Lazio on 13 April 2014, in a 4-2 defeat to Napoli.

On 22 September 2014, Onazi committed his future to Lazio by signing a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2018. This extension came amidst reported interest from several clubs, including three Premier League teams (Everton, Southampton, and Sunderland), as well as clubs from Germany, France, Spain, and Russia. On 31 May 2015, Onazi scored a crucial 88th-minute goal against Napoli, securing a 3-2 victory for Lazio and clinching the final Champions League qualification spot for the club. In the 2013-14 season, he made 29 appearances, but his playing time gradually decreased in subsequent seasons.

3. International Career

Ogenyi Onazi represented Nigeria at various youth levels before making his mark on the senior international stage. As a 16-year-old, he was part of the U-17 national team that finished as runners-up in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Despite his strong performance, he was surprisingly overlooked for selection for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup two years later, even after participating in training camps in Portugal and Panama.

His debut for the senior Nigeria national team came in an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Liberia. He scored his first international goal in only his second appearance, a 3-1 friendly victory over Venezuela in Florida on 14 November 2012.

Onazi was included in Nigeria's 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his tournament debut as a substitute in Nigeria's opening match against Burkina Faso. Following this, he became a key player, playing every minute of all Nigeria's games in the knockout phase, including the final, where he contributed significantly to Nigeria's triumph.

He was also selected for Nigeria's squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup but was unfortunately forced to miss the tournament due to a slight knee injury sustained a few weeks prior to the competition.

Onazi was named in Nigeria's final squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He started in all four of Nigeria's matches as they progressed to the round of 16, where they were eventually eliminated by France. He was also part of the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, though he did not feature in any of the team's three group stage matches. Due to an Achilles injury sustained in December 2018 while playing for his club in Turkey, Onazi was left out of the national team's provisional squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

4. Personal Life

Ogenyi Onazi's personal life reflects his commitment to both his family and broader social responsibility. He is known for his philanthropic endeavors and his dedication to supporting those in need.

In a notable act of humanitarian support in November 2019, Onazi publicly stated his intention to help cover the medical expenses for his former Nigerian U-17 teammate, Sani Emmanuel. This gesture underscored Onazi's solidarity with a fellow footballer facing hardship.

Onazi's journey from playing football on the streets of Jos to becoming a professional player in Europe's top leagues, starting from the Nigeria Premier Football League, stands as a testament to his perseverance and serves as an inspiring example of overcoming challenges through talent and hard work. He was recognized for his contributions to Nigeria by being named a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

5. Career Statistics

6. Honours

Onazi has earned several titles and accolades throughout his club and international career.

Lazio

• Coppa Italia: 2012-13

Trabzonspor

• Turkish Cup: 2019-20

Nigeria

• Africa Cup of Nations: 2013

Orders

• Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)