Chukwudi Nworgu
By Our Correspondent
Former Nigeria senior international and Enyimba, Bendel Insurance attacking sensation, Chukwudi Nworgu who cut his international teeth in a friendly encounter with the ‘Pharohs’ of Egypt in November 2002, is keen to bring back to his roots some of the good things he has learnt while plying his trade around Europe.
In an exclusive chat, the all action striker who assisted the ‘Peoples Elephant’, Enyimba International F.C to the 2001 NPL and the 2003 CAF Champions league triumph stated that he was working out a partnership plan with his erstwhile clubs in Nigeria for possible transfer of knowledge and materials.
Nworgu, who was a torn in the flesh of opposing defenders while donning the colors of the ‘Benin Arsenals’, Bendel Insurance F.C and the ‘Peoples Elephant’, Enyimba International F.C, said, “I must say that after a careful soul searching, I came up with the idea of giving back to the clubs that helped in honing my skills and exposed me to the soccer world. I had a swell time in Benin with such top performers as Pius Ikedia, Henry Alake, Onome Akporotu, etc while in Aba, it was a much better opportunity with such players as Romanus Orjinta, Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba, Sani Abacha and others.”
The player who narrowly missed the cut to be the third home-based player to make the squad to AFCON 2004 in Tunisia further stated, “Me and my group are working on plans to come down with programs that will enhance the chances of Nigerian clubs on the continent just as materials for impacting knowledge on youthful talents of the clubs. As soon as we get all the needed ends tied up, we shall hit town and I believe it will greatly benefit all concerned.”
Taking a look into his national team experience which saw him appear many times for Nigeria with a goal to his name, Nworgu said, “I have good memories of the times I got invited to defend the colors of my father-land, Nigeria. After my ‘Baptism of Fire’ in a friendly encounter against Egypt that ended in a draw, I got the second invite to the team that beat Malawi in an AFCON 2004 qualifier with another opportunity in a friendly match with Brazil that we lost in Abuja. The LG Gold cup in Lagos in 2004, has remained dearest to me as I was able to score a goal in the national team shirt against Jordan.”
Nworgu, who has featured for clubs in Ukraine, Israel and Sweden and currently into club management in Sweden is very optimistic of seeing this project through, concluded, saying, “It is my humble wish to see this program through as the impact will be very massive. As soon as all logistics are concluded, we get into action.”
