Forged in Nigeria and beloved in Italy, now Ogenyi Onazi brings his World Cup pedigree to Hong Kong with Kitchee
- Former Lazio midfielder reflects on journey to Hong Kong Premier League champions via Italy, Turkey, Denmark, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain
- ‘We can make history with this club. Anything is possible,’ Onazi says ahead of their AFC Champions League opener in South Korea
Before leaving for the day, Ogenyi Onazi peered around the door of the reception area at Kitchee’s plush training centre and told the man behind the desk to record his debt. Onazi owed for the can of coconut water he drank during this interview, and nobody would have chased the club’s teak-tough Nigerian midfielder for the bill.
But Onazi was “brought up to do the right thing”. He wasn’t brought up to play football – let alone make a living from it in Italy, Turkey, Denmark, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and now Hong Kong, with Kitchee – but more on that later.
First, the story of when Onazi snared a thief operating outside a Rome restaurant 10 years ago.
“I saw a guy with an umbrella, it wasn’t raining, nor was it hot enough for an umbrella,” Onazi said. “I can read people, I knew he was up to something.
“He opened the umbrella to block my view, then took a lady’s purse.”
Onazi and his brother chased down the miscreant and marched him back to the restaurant.
