Sia Academy snaps up Imo-born wonder talent Obi

Obinna’s life revolves around football. His journey in soccer has been impressive so far, with good opportunities. Obi’s improved displays since arriving at Sia Academy in Valencia, Spain, have set the tone for a continuous upward trajectory. He thinks the academy is a “nice place, and always a place for football,” which has helped him settle into his new surroundings.

The young prospect from Imo State, south-eastern Nigeria, was discovered at the UECOB scouting programme in Umuahia – a five-day intense event in 2023 for young footballers (boys and girls) facilitated by Mr Kenneth Obuehi, a FIFA intermediary based in Spain – a chance for the talents to impress the international scouts and observers from Spain, Portugal, and other countries present in Abia.

The process of Obinna’s move to Spain is unsurprising, with the biggest exports from Nigeria to top European countries having come from academies after scouting exposures. This has proved to be a viable option for the biggest countries in Europe rather than harvesting already-made players from the local leagues in Nigeria.

Obinna began to play when he was eight years old, but it wasn’t until he turned fourteen that he made up his mind to become a professional player. Quick, strong, and fleet-footed are some of the traits he developed at a tender age, and he has managed to hone his skills while patiently waiting for a breakthrough move, which has finally come at Sia Academy in Spain.