Obinna Nwaneri (born
18 March 1982) is a Nigerian footballer who
plays as centre back or right back position
but also can play as a forward.
His name, Obinna, means "Father's
heart" in Igbo. He
is described as mobile central defender with pace, control and timing. A
natural leader, which had earned him the captain armband in Enyimba and FC Sion
respectively.
His star has steadily continued to rise, first with top Nigerian
side, Julius Berger, then with African Champions Enyimba, where he won the CAF
champions league and then he signed with Swiss club FC Sion during
the 2007 January transfer window, a club he later captained before leaving the
following summer.
Career
Breakdown
·
2000: Broke into a
talented Julius Berger side that had an amazing turnaround season, going from
barely escaping relegation the season before, to annexing the Nigerian Pepsi
League crown.
·
2001: Had a standout
season with the 'Bridge Boys', proving to be one of the League's best
defenders. Berger, unfortunately, failed to retain their League title and were
knocked out of the African Champions Cup.
·
2002: Won the Nigerian
Cup with Julius Berger, after defeating Yobe Stars 3–0 in the final.
·
·
2003: Moved to League
Champions Enyimba, forming a dream partnership at the back with Romanus Orjinta.
Had a standout season in an historic season for Enyimba, as they won the
Nigerian League for the 3rd year running and became the first Nigerian club to
win the continents' most prized club trophy – The African Champions Cup.
·
·
2004: Captained
Enyimba as they successfully defended their African Champions League crown, by
defeating Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia with a 5–3 penalty victory. Scored the
vital fifth penalty that secured the win. However, this time around, Enyimba
would not win Nigerian League. Agreed personal terms with South African
side Orlando Pirates in July, but the deal fell
through as the clubs could not agree on a fee.
·
·
2004–05: Moved to
Tunisian powerhouse Espérance, in early 2005, where he has had
an outstanding season.
·
2005–06: Selected for
the Nigerian national football team for
the 2006 African Cup of Nations tournament.
·
·
2006–07: Signed
for Swiss Super League team FC Sion until
June 2010.A team he captained until he left the following summer.
·
2008: Obinna score his
first ever goal for Nigeria national football team at 45
minutes during 2010 FIFA World
Cup qualification – CAF Second Round against South Africa national football team.
·
2010: After a proposed
loan spell in the United Arab Emirati football club Al Dhafra did
not fell through Obinna Joined Kuwaiti club Kazma.
·
2011: Kazma Obinna finished his contract with
Kazma and has since been linked with a host of European clubs.
·
2012: After being a
free agent for 3 months, Obinna joined the 2010 Malaysia Super League champions, Kelantan FA. Obinna
later won treble by winning Malaysian Super League, FA Cup and Malaysian Cup
with Kelantan FA in his debut season.
·
2014: On 23 April,he
was released by Kelantan FA
·
2015: After less than
a year out the game he signs with ATM
·
2016: Signs with Perlis FA in
Malaysian Premier League
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