Veteran striker hopes to repay the faith Benni has shown in him when City face SuperSport in MTN8 final
CAPE TOWN CITY are rapidly changing the life and career of Nigerian striker Victor Obinna. After 12 years on the European circuit, the 30-year-old wasn’t too sure of his next move, until City coach Benni McCarthy stepped in and took the decision out of his hands.
And now, just a month after arriving in the Mother City, Obinna is poised to experience his very first major cup final in South Africa when City take on SuperSport United in the climax of the MTN8 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban (kickoff 7pm).
Obinna acknowledged that McCarthy’s presence as coach was one of the main reasons he decided to sign for City.
“For me, it was important to come to a team that really believes in what it is looking for,” said Obinna. “City are a new club that only came into place two years ago. The most important person that made it possible for me to come here was chief coach Benni McCarthy. He is someone I respect as a person and I have a good relationship with him. In fact, the club as a whole wanted me to come, and that is the main purpose why I am playing my football at City.”
McCarthy explains: “Victor is a good friend of mine, I know him from his days with the Nigerian national team when he used to be a striker partner to Obafemi Martins. I came across him at West Ham, that’s where we played together. We became friends and have always kept in touch over the years. When I learnt he was free, I asked him to come down to City.”
Since their inception as a PSL club in June last year, the catchphrase at City has been “we are changing lives”. In a short space of time, they have certainly lived up to that slogan: support on the terraces and on the streets is growing; previously unknown local players like Taariq Fielies and Craig Martin have been plucked from obscurity to star in the PSL; they’ve rejuvenated the careers of Robyn Johannes and Thamsanqa Mkhize; and even a 30-year-old, like Obinna, with extensive experience on the European stage, can feel the buzz of excitement. In short, City, in their own mantra, are changing lives.
“I’m looking forward to my first final in South Africa,” said Obinna. “I actually didn’t expect it to happen so soon, but it’s a good thing for me and the team. We just have to give our best to try and win this final.”
“I’m adapting fast,” he added, “thanks to the help of my teammates, the technical staff and everybody at the club. They’ve made sure that everything goes smoothly for me, and helped me to settle down pretty quickly.
“The PSL is improving, and it has been improving year after year. You can see that in the awareness it has created in players from other countries, even from Europe, who are keen to come over. With that, it has improved the quality and it is this aspect that the PSL needs to emphasise more.”
In 2005, Obinna had a spell with Chievo in Italy, after which he moved on to Inter Milan in the Serie A. He also went on to play for Málaga in Spain, West Ham in England, Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia and MSV Duisburg and SV Darmstadt in Germany.
And it was at West Ham where he became teammate of McCarthy.
The Nigerian has already made an impact with the winning goal in the derby against neighbours Ajax Cape Town – and he’s hoping to make a contribution in Saturday’s final against SuperSport as well. At this stage, though, McCarthy is not rushing the striker as he believes the player still lacks a bit of match sharpness.
“The times he has been on the field, you can see his quality and intelligence, how he holds the ball up and lets other players in,” said the City coach. “It’s why I brought him here… He hasn’t played for so long, but you can’t doubt his talent. He will get better as the season progresses.”