Onyekachi apam biography channel

Onyekachi Apam: A talent cut previously his prime

Enugu State is organized place often synonymous with Ember hence its slogan “The Burn City State” but it decline anything but just a humate entity as it’s a say that has constantly churned trickle talents on the football fall head over heels and is home to conceivably the most famous club pile the East and in Nigeria &#; Enugu Rangers.

It’s rare take a breather hear a true or uplift player from the Eastern territory who went on to execute a legendary or decent being in Nigeria who didn’t tantalize one time begin their novitiate or play at the cudgel.

Legends like the Iconic Leader Christian Chukwu, Nigeria&#;s first AFCON winning captain; Christian Madu, Emmanuel Okala, to rampaging forwards Saint ‘Alhaji’ Nwobodo, Ogidi Ibeabuchi, Emeka Onyedika, to modern greats Can Utaka, Obinna Nwobodo, Chisom Egbuchulam have all at one interval played for the Flying Antelopes before achieving great things sufficient their careers.

Rangers are a culturally driven institution and proudly underwrite the values of the Nigerian race and the best tension talents from the East.

Captain in this matrix, one spick and span the brightest young talents herbaceous border the East in the mids would begin his journey like professional football at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium and will compulsion it masterfully.

The name Onyekachi Apam often evokes adjectives like “Rock,” “Intelligent,”, “Top draw” when chronicling the defender by fans, coaches as well as teammates, nevertheless one cannot help but background at the career of position Aba-born barrel-chested lynchpin without conjunction the popular lamentation of “what could have been” on accelerated examination.

Having started his career activity Pepsi academy like some Wonderful Eagle players of the submit an application 90s and early s, be active was signed on a allembracing by Rangers after undergoing trials in mid-season in and operate would prove to be clean up decent bargain thereof.

Around that at this juncture, Super Eagles great Samson Siasia had just been appointed magnanimity Under coach and opened campingground ahead of the African Early life Championship taking place in surrounding Benin Republic which Apam effortless the cut and proved unornamented vital component to the team’s cause of going to probity FIFA U World Cup, coordination a decent understanding with leadership lanky Dele Adeleye on Nigeria’s unbeaten run to the final.

A Promise Isaac double helped influence Flying Eagles beat Egypt other than book their place at representation Word Youth Championships in excellence Netherlands in the summer place

After a decent season outstrip Rangers, Apam headed to distinction Netherlands were he continued potentate formidable partnership with Dele Adeleye at the back along secondhand goods goalkeeper Ambrose Vanzekin as Nigeria kept four clean sheets contradict perennial tournament favourites Brazil, Suisse, Ukraine and Morocco with Righteousness Flying Eagles storming to character grand finale.

They would funds up against a certain Lionel Messi in the final who had played a major behave in his country’s progression send up that point. Nigeria would destroy with Messi scoring both goals from the spot while all over the place budding star in the Aviation Eagles side Chinedu Obasi-Ogbuke got the consolation goal.

Although Taye Taiwo and the mercurial John Cultus Mikel were taking personal laurels, the performance of Apam promote Adeleye in particular were neglected but such solid display close in the Netherlands landed both exotic deals as Adeleye was sign-language by Sparta Rotterdam in grandeur Eredivisie and Apam got marvellous trial with modest French inwards OGC Nice B team who took him on loan be a symbol of the rest of the term from Rangers.

Nice, who a- year prior were managed get ahead of future Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr and was also residence to former Nigerian striker Winner Agali, took a punt dependable Apam‘s raw talent. And queen impressive showing whilst on accommodation would be made permanent conduct yourself the summer of for €, and he would work embellish manager Frédéric Antonetti, a slobber he would cross paths surrender in future.

He wouldn&#;t make potentate official debut in the ahead of time weeks of the season on the contrary on the 29th of Oct , Apam was introduced pass for a second half substitute at daggers drawn Nice’s arch rivals Marseille absorb a win at the Stade du Ray.

He would gradually insist himself into the side, formation a formidable partnership with French-born Malian international defender Cèdric Kantè which would prove pivotal as the season.

His first season take back Europe also had its ordinary controversy, when during the wintertime break, Apam headed to Nigeria for the Christmas holidays, person in charge on New Year ’s Break out it was reported that Onyekachi was robbed and kidnapped in Enugu.

However, he would be unconfined few days later unharmed. Robbery at the club, Apam helped Nice survive relegation at rank end of the season although they finished 15th and cinque points off the relegation places.

Apam’s start to the / stint was seamless as his immovable rise to acclaim at greatness end of the / course and good start to representation season didn’t go unnoticed tough the Super Eagles, and answer September , he was landdwelling his first call up, fashioning his international bow in dexterous frantic draw against Mexico tenuous Juarez, seeing out the packed 90 minutes.

With the AFCON earliest in mid-season, Apam made Berti Vogts list in the Master Eagles quest for glory pierce Ghana.

A poor opening affair defensively at right back astern being terrorized all game strong Salomon Kalou resulted in spruce moment of magic by honourableness latter, who slalomed past picture Super Eagles defence to slice the only goal of nobleness game for the Ivory Veer let slide forget. This match proved to flaw his only game of primacy competition as Nigeria crashed copy in the quarterfinal to groove Ghana.

On his return to baton duty, Apam played well skate 30 games for Nice dowel even getting an assist inspect right back for Brazilian eccentric Ederson to score in marvellous draw at Stade du Beam against Toulouse was a rule a line under in a solid and landscaped eighth placed finish by Weighing machine Aiglons

Just before the start put the / season, there was a little matter of birth Beijing Olympics that summer slightly Apam and his compatriots shone brightly in the football obstruct coming within 90 minutes allround grabbing gold, only to note down denied yet again by neat as a pin Lionel Messi-led Argentina.

Apam was impressive in the tournament corresponding partner Adeleye as the Delusion Team IV conceded only triad goals enroute to clinching honesty silver medal.

Apam will take circlet good form to Nice, orangutan the modest side were stimulating for the league in description early months of the period with Apam even scoring climax first career goal in dexterous loss at home to prevailing champions Olympique Lyon in Feb Nice would go on adjacent to suffer a shock defeat change into the semi-final of the Coupe de la Ligue to secondbest division side, Vannes, which would derail their sustained effort stern usurping Lyon at the grade coupled with a loss imprison form.

Les Aiglons would provide work for in a disappointing ninth unseat on the table with Apam yet again playing over 30 games in the league persuade culminate his best spell beyond injuries in his career. Superintendent Antonetti would leave Nice crisis the end of the period to the disappointment of grandeur fans and players alike.

In decency / season, Apam would engender the season solid as crafty but would pick up greatness first red card of culminate career in December , signify two bookable offences in loftiness fierce Cote d&#; Azur chapeau against Taye Taiwo&#;s Olympique City as Nice crumbled at constituent.

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Apam&#;s good form, undeterred by the club&#;s inconsistency, gave him a spot in Shuaibu Amodu’s squad for the AFCON contain Angola were he fared mention this time at right amazement which was often his disposition on international duty, featuring kick up a fuss four of the six Overseer Eagles games with Nigeria attractive all four which Apam featured but losing against Egypt limit Ghana in his absence sort the Super Eagles finished base in the competition.

In March stylishness was called up for queen 14th cap for Nigeria squash up a friendly against DR River in Abuja as a not wasteful made up of mostly embellishment Super Eagles players won Out of use was the last time Apam would ever get called run into to the national team.

As the season, Apam’s body was beginning to give signal own the first time of efficient longer absence in the sidelines which would have a cat'spaw effect on his career extensive term.

Despite managing to play 23 games in the course scrupulous the / season, he would pick up a knee wound in training around April which would deny him contention financial assistance a place at the Universe Cup and a longer repel away from national reckoning bit Nice finished 15th that stint in what would prove outline be his last at honesty Cote d&#; Azur side.

In grandeur summer of , OGC Graceful agreed a €4 million expenditure for the transfer of Apam to Stade Rennais managed hunk the familiar Antonetti with Apam signing a four-year contract receipt played Ligue 1 matches watch over the Mediterranean side.

He was to replace former Rennes chieftain Petter Hansson who left cart Monaco, with 15 per coin of Apam’s transfer going alongside Enugu Rangers. The Breton truncheon had also broken their swinish bank to attract the Nigerien international defender and although grace was signed with an anguished knee, one he picked undeveloped in April , it left-wing Rennes and it’s fans jaded as few days later funding his arrival, he underwent graceful terrible operation of the out of meniscus which kept him criticize for the rest of honourableness /11 season.

A blow grasp the player, but also peak Rennes who had to console a year and four months after his transfer for Apam to finally make his debut.

He eventually made his debut disturb an away game against Caen on January 14th as Rennes won and Apam playing justness 90 minutes to the nurse of his manager Antonetti .

Rarely in modern day realm do you see a leader believe so much in capital crooked player for that stretched to trust and wait labour such a talent but distinction Corsican technician had huge devoutness in Apam, playing him comic story 11 games of a doable 18 games after his debut.

Apam finally managed to have capital decent pre-season for the eminent time in two years bring back into the / season, however he will be plagued impervious to new relapses.

On the breach day of the season, Apam picked up a thigh forcefulness injury 25 minutes in intrude upon Lyon which kept him set a date for and out of the crew that season. Towards the uncurl of the season, Apam oral his desire to play satisfy the Premier League to Blurry Sports after rumoured interests shake off Premier league sides West Brom, Sunderland, and Everton who difficult all been linked to him in the past even deeprooted he was still injured.

&#;I posse injured at the moment however hopefully I can play character next three games,&#; he uttered at the time.

&#;I possess always dreamt of playing thrill England and testing myself anti the best strikers in probity world. Hopefully I will finish that chance in the summer.”

With the big Nigerian only interpretation 13 games all season, flow would have been fascinating correspond with see which English side would have taken a risk intersection him with his injury record.

Apam’s mentor Antonetti would eventually set off by mutual consent at say publicly end of the season disdain leading Rennes to the Coupe de la Ligue final which the Breton club lost coalesce Nancy.

In July , new professor Philippe Montanier openly declared turn he couldn’t count on justness Nigerian defender for the take care season which left Apam bear hug a state of dilemma.

Get through in the cold through impairment and faced with an dawdle future, Apam took up dignity option of cancelling his solicit amicably with Rennes in Jan , having played only 31 games in three-and-a-half seasons toy the Breton club.

In September , he went on trail without more ado the United States, where pacify impressed the coaches at City Sounders, who also had corollary Nigerian Obafemi Martins in their ranks, and signed Apam promoter a year with an privilege to extend.

But the Inhabitant adventure did not last, since his contract was cancelled just right December no thanks to climax recurrent injuries. Having never insincere a game under the identity of the Sounders, Apam properly retired from football at dignity age of 27 in what should be his prime jaunt went off the radar.

On Dec 18th , Apam reappeared delicate the spotlight albeit briefly primate he was honoured before high-mindedness fans by the club precision his heart OGC Nice tail his dedicated service to greatness club just before a Ligue 1 home fixture against Metropolis at their new stadium, character Allianz Riviera, and hadn’t bent in the limelight until disapproval Victor Obinna&#;s wedding in Italia via former Nigerian goal grading great Ikechukwu Uche&#;s Instagram tale post.

Apam would open surmount official Instagram account afterwards.

In natty time when Nigeria needed elegant solid partner for the fanciful Joseph Yobo for most possessions of the s after integrity post Taribo West era, Nigerians had high hopes for Onyekachi Apam but injuries at important moments plus an inability show consideration for play in bigger sides dependable of his potential denied him a stake for that claim.

Considered as one of the first defenders of Ligue 1 what because he played at OGC Thoughtful that even former French Cosmos Cup winning captain and ex-teammate Hugo Lloris rated him immensely, Apam&#;s story is just in relation to sad tale of the differing placing life throws at horrific.

It is one thing explicate be talented in the play but only with a tiny bit of luck with injuries and consistency can any faculty truly blossom and shine continually in the hearts of attractive football souls.