Categories: NewsNigeriaSerie A

Ex-Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez Has The Biggest Impact Over My Career – Super Eagles Star

Nigerian international Nwankwo Obiora has fond memories of his time playing under the Spaniard at Inter Milan.

Former Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez handed Obiora his first-team debut at Internazionale, and it is something the former Super Eagles star won’t forget.

Injuries stunted the development of the defensive midfielder forcing him to make just four appearances for the Serie A giants before departing for Parma in 2011.

Further spells at Padova, CFR Cluj, and Académica de Coimbra quickly followed before the Kaduna-born ace joined Boavista in 2018 after another disappointing time at Levadiakos.

One happy moment during this period for Obiora, though, was being a part of the late Stephen Keshi’s Super Eagles team that conquered Africa in 2013.

But the 28-year-old values more the lessons learned under Benitez in guiding Inter to triumphs in the Supercoppa Italiana and the FIFA Club World Cup, both in 2010.

“I have had lots of good managers over the years and good coaches too, but the manager who I hold very dear to my heart is Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan,” Obiora told the World Football Index.

“He was the one who took me from the youth team to the first team of Inter Milan, and he taught me many things and gave me lots of good advice in such a short period of time too.

“The things that he taught me are always in my head, and I have brought them with me throughout my career.

“Of all the big managers and good coaches I have encountered in my career, he has certainly played a key role in my development.”

This post was last modified on April 5, 2020 12:49 pm

Imhons Erons

Share
Published by
Imhons Erons

Recent Posts

Blow for Eaglets as CAF shuts the door on Nigeria for Morocco 2025

Nigeria’s hopes of competing at the 2025 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in… Read More

9 minutes ago

South Africa boss reveals the number of points Bafana Bafana need to beat Nigeria to World Cup ticket

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has outlined the points tally he believes will secure… Read More

1 hour ago

Iheanacho: Super Eagles star scheduled for medical at Middlesbrough

One-time EFL Cup winners, Middlesbrough, are set to sign Sevilla and Super Eagles striker, Kelechi… Read More

3 hours ago

Nigerians abroad: Payne excellent for Everton; Babajide, Monday crush Sevilla; Boniface, Kayode impress

Soccernet.ng monitored dozens of matches featuring Nigerian stars across the globe on Sunday, February 2,… Read More

5 hours ago

Nathaniel Bassey reacts to Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City

Nigerian gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey, has reacted to Arsenal's stunning 5-1 victory over Manchester City… Read More

7 hours ago

Super Eagles star slams referee after controversial Red Card in Rizespor’s defeat to Fenerbahçe

Two-capped Super Eagles midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin has hit out at the officiating after receiving a… Read More

8 hours ago