Chinedu Obasi has come a long way from moving to Norway from Nigeria as a young adult to being the leader on a surprise team in the German Bundesliga and a hotly sought after striker in the European soccer market.
From Nigeria To Norway As 19-Year-Old
Chinedu "Edu" Obasi Ogbuke was born on June 1, 1986 in Enugu, Nigeria, and grew up playing for the local River Lane Youth Club. He also played for Shell Academy and J.C. Raiders before his big move to Europe. In 2005, at 19 years of age, Obasi left his homeland with three compatriots, including current Chelsea player John Mikel, destined for Norway.
Learning Trade For Lyn Oslo
After helping Nigeria reach the final of the 2005 Under-20 World Championship in Netherlands, Mikel and Obasi were signed with Norwegian club Lyn Olso and the pair shared a room in the Norwegian capital. While Mikel moved to English giants Chelsea for the 2006-07 season, Obasi, who scored three goals in Netherlands 2005, remained at Lyn for two seasons, scoring 14 goals in 29 games.
Botched Lokomotiv Moscow Deal
Obasi agreed in December 2006 to transfer to Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow. But the deal was called off when the club's president, sporting director and manager were all fired six days after the deal was signed.
Move To Germany - Hoffenheim
Obasi would eventually leave Lyn in August 27, 2007, as he transferred to newly-promoted German second division club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for an estimated 6 million euros. In his first season in Germany, Obasi collected 12 goals and eight assists in 27 games in helping Hoffenheim earn promotion to the German top flight, the Bundesliga.
Silver Medal At 2008 Summer Olympics
Obasi was in the middle of a controversy between Hoffenheim, the Nigerian soccer federation and the world's governing body as to whether the 22-year-old must play for Nigeria if nominated. Obasi ended up playing and scoring two goals in helping Nigeria reach the final before losing to Lionel Messi and Argentina 1-0.
Slowly Worked Into Hoffenheim System
Obasi's time in Beijing meant he lacked the preparations for Hoffenheim's start to the Bundesliga. He did not play in the first three games and was subbed in the next two weeks before finally getting his first Bundesliga stat on September 27, 2008 against Werder Bremen.
Flashes Of Brilliance
Between game days eight and 13, Obasi showed real flashes of brilliance as he twice scored two goals in totaling six goals and three assists for Hoffenheim's potent attack along with scoring machine Vedad Ibisevic and Demba Ba.
Slowed By Injuries
Obasi, who had already played during the season with a torn tendon in his left thumb, then missed the next two games with an injury to his right knee. He returned for the final two games of the first half, but was subbed out in the last game before the winter break with a thigh injury. Obasi has come back to practice and should be ready for the second half unless another injury arises.
Transfer Rumors
With Obasi's superb success both at the club and junior national team level, a number of big European clubs have been rumored to be after the 22-year-old Nigerian, who is on contract with Hoffenheim until 2011. Among the teams interested are Celtic and Chelsea.
Sights Set On South Africa 2010
After playing in the Under-20 World Championship and the Olympics, Obasi admits he would love to play for Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. "Who knows, if I make it to the World Cup in 2010, the (Nigeria) Super Eagles might make history by being the first African country to reach the final of the World Cup," Obasi told the Lagos Daily Independent on November 3.
Nigeria have never gone beyond the second round in the World Cup and a big help could come from Obasi, who has scored two goals in 15 caps for the senior team and was a ball boy at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, hosted by Nigeria. Nigeria have been drawn into Group B of the 2010 qualification campaign against Mozambique, Kenya and Tunisia.
