IKENWA NNABUOGOR chronicles the steady rise and rise of Chidozie Awaziem, who’s gradually stepping out in style to becoming the new sensation in the Eagles rear guard.
Portuguese giants FC Porto saw huge potential in Chidozie Awaziem to grab him from non-league football seven years and their investment on the younger has proved over time he was worth the trouble.
Today, Awaziem has continued to come of age to become one of the most sought after central defenders in Europe.
He has also done enough to keep his shirt in his country’s competitive team.
His long association dating since 2014 with Porto finally recently after enjoying impressive runs in four loan spells, inking a permanent move at Boavista after a successful loan spell.
The former FC Nantes star stood like a bastion in the heart of defence for the former club of legendary striker Richard Owubokiri last season before the higher-ups committed him to a Boavista future, with a $5 million price tag.
This future may appear even more promising as a horde of bigger spenders from Portugal and abroad are threatening to break the bank for the versatile defender.
Growing from strength to strength in regular fashion, the Enugu-born star has continued to alert the transfer market experts for upward review in his worth.
Versatility remains his strongest suit as it appears very few defenders are blessed with the luxury of playing comfortably anywhere in the back four as well as a defensive midfielder.
This rare quality has put him ahead of his contemporaries as it appears only injury or bad fate will dim his lights.
Coach Gernot Rohr arrived in 2015 to take charge after embattled Samson Siasia’s brief stand-in role and not long the Franco-German’s radar caught the former Rizespor star.
Grabbing his first game for his country in 2017, Awaziem has had to contend the “Oyinbo Wall” of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong, former Leganes team mate Kenneth Omeruo, Ola Aina, Shehu Abdullahi, Tyrone Ebuehu and Eagles newbie Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma, in the back four.
His contention has been far from not impressive as the “Oyinbo Wall” has seemed to hold the central defence key and Aina, Ebuehi and on-and-off Abdullahi breathing down his neck at right back, but Awaziem has always proved his worth.
His International caps still at 20, but Awaziem has refused to show any sign of letting go any form of challenge to remain stoutly in contention for a place at right back or the central defence.
When the Lions came roaring earlier this month in Austria, the Eagle in Awaziem stood firmly to ward off the wounded Lions who were only roaring back to avenge the humiliation they suffered in the hands of their bitter rivals in the last two years.
Awaziem grabbed his chance with both “legs” as the Glasgow Rangers’ star Balogun was unavailable and even grew in confidence taking the Turkey-based newbie Valentine Ozornwafor in his stride in the second friendly against their pound-of-flesh taking neighbours.
Interestingly, Rohr’s selection problems increased his headache as Awaziem marshaled the heart of Eagles defence in his first shift there as if his life depended on it, leaving Rohr’s heart beating fast.
Could Rohr have been singing Awaziem’s tunes in the central defence now that Balogun appears to be singing his swansong?
Has Awaziem’s superb showing for club and country gladdened Rohr’s heart that his central defence line is secured?
At only 24, and standing at 1.97 metres tall, Awaziem could be seen as a long-term investment in the defence for the future even in the event of Rohr’s departure.
Comfortable with the ball on both feet, and with the required strength fitting for a defender, Awaziem has also exhibited a rare attacking attribute that will put his market value on the upward curve.
All these will come into play in his subsequent games for his country as well as taking his club career to a new level.
Life cannot be sweeter for the vastly improved Awaziem.
