“The Best Year Of My Life” – Former Super Eagles Star Hails Mourinho’s Impact On Career

One of a few Nigerians to have ever earned a Serie A champions medal, Victor Obinna Nsofor is still impressed by the man-management skills of the Portuguese tactician

Former Nigeria international Obinna Nsofor has credited Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho as the man who helped him experience the ‘best year’ of his life when the two of them worked together at Inter Milan.

During an impressive career in Europe, Nsofor played for Chievo, Inter Milan, Malaga, West Ham, and Lokomotiv Moscow, among others.

But it was at Inter Milan team that Nsofor won the Serie A in the 2008-2009 season under the guidance of the famous Portuguese football tactician.

Mourinho favoured Nsofor, then only 21, and integrated the youngster into the first-team picture at Inter Milan after the Nigerian forward impressed at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Nsofor helped the Samson Siasia-tutored Nigeria’s Dream Team to a silver medal finish, scoring three goals and emerging as the tournament’s second top scorer.

The former Super Eagles star went on to enjoy a beautiful single season with Inter Milan.

“He (Mourinho) was very attentive to young people. Me, Santon, Balotelli. He told us to play our football,” Obinna told Gianluca Di Marzio.

“We had great masters on the pitch, like Ibrahimovic. He always wanted to win. If he lost a match in training, he would get angry with his teammates. His favourite target was Viera.

“It was the best year of my life. We won the Scudetto, and I scored a great goal against Roma”.

Nsofor ended his career at South African side Cape Town City two years ago and has since taken up a new role as a football scout and agent.