Festac Icon this week presents to you , a footballer by birth , Super Eagles and AC Milan attacker , Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie B club Latina Calcio on loan from Milan, who is no other than Nnamdi Oduamadi.
Nnamdi Chidiebere Oduamadi , born on 17th october 1990 in Lagos State , Nigeria. At the tender Age of 7 , Nnamdi started playing football at the the local Pepsi Football Academy . At the football academy , Nnamdi was then recruited by Nigeria U-17 , then later called by Nigeria U-20 in which he took part in the 20019 FIFA U-20 worldcup.
when he was 18 , he left Nigeria to joinAC Milan and was officially signed to the team in January 2009.
Nnamdi has always loved soccer right from his childhood. He was not born to a wealthy family with a silver spoon but with encouragement from loved ones.
“I came across so many things that wanted me to lose hope on this, but I kept on pushing hard. And my family, everybody gave me hope.”
“In primary school, I played football and I ran for my school. I was quick, and a good runner. I’m not like [Usain Bolt] though, but I’m very fast and you know I kept that going, keeping shape you know everything.”
Oduamadi stayed 2 seasons in AC Milan youth team and was part of the U-20 who won the Coppa Italia Primavera in 2010 after 25 years of last success.
Oduamadi made his full international debut for Nigeria against Kenya, on 29 March 2011, featuring as a second-half substitute. He appeared again against Kenya in a 2014 world cup qualifying match on 23 March 2013 and scored the equalising goal in the 94th minute to level the score.
Nnamdi was selected for Nigeria’s squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup . He was full blown to popularity after he hit a hat trick in 66 minutes as Nigeria played against Tahiti in 6 – 1 goal, scoring three goals against Tahiti at FIFA Cup in Brazilin June 17 2013.
Nnamdi Oduamadi became the first African to score a hat trick in the finals of a FIFA organized competition at the senior level
He is nicknamed Igwe and plays mostly the striker position.He currently plays for Şanlıurfaspor, Turkey and also plays for U.S Latina Calcio
So far his club life, Nnamdi has been on loan severally to clubs like As Varese in Italy from AC Milan, Torino & Crotone & Latina, etc.
Nnamdi Oduamadi made his first official debut for AC Milan in a league game against Catania on 18 September 2010, coming off the bench in the last minutes. He was included in the squad for the annual Viareggio Cup.
When in Torino, At the beginning the 2011–12 season, Oduamadi’s co-ownership deal between Milan and Genoa was resolved in favour of the former,but he was sent on loan to Serie B club Torino.[13] He ended the season with 11 appearances and three goals.
While at Varese and Brescia,during the 2012–13 season, Oduamadi joined Serie B side Varese on another loan deal. At the start of the 2013–14 campaign, Oduamadi moved to Serie B club Brescia, once again on loan.
On 31 January 2014, Oduamadi rejoined Varese, making his second loan spell., and on 8 August 2014, Oduamadi was signed by Serie B club Crotone.
On 21 January 2015 he was signed by U.S. Latina Calcio.
Nnamdi Oduamadi loves white rice as hs best food. Today , Nnamdi did not forget his home , Festac Town as he single handedly sponsors a soccer competition in Festac tagged ‘Odu and friends’.
Nnamdi Oduamadi is a humble socialite who doesn’t fancy basking in the stratosphere of his fame. He still rolls with his friends back in Nigeria with the clique name ‘The Undisputed’. Odu is the sole sponsor of a soccer competition in Festac town tagged . His football mentor is Delima Ronaldo and his