Nigerian U-23 Prospect, Obijohn Onyeka Continues To Turn Heads @ Westerlo

KVC Westerlo U-21 midfielder, Obijohn Onyeka has continued to have a commendable performance for his Belgian club in their 1-1 away draw at FCV Dender in the National U21 Pro League tie played on Friday night at stade Denderleeuw.

Onyeka grabbed his fifth full game of the season from eight matches and was outstanding as Westerlo U21 got a draw to reclaim top spot of the juniors league table on goals difference (+31) and 38 points from 17 games ahead of KAS Eupen who also have 38 points but with lesser goals difference of +22. 

Eupen are also behind on head to head record between both teams having lost to Westerlo 2-1 in Eupen on the 26th January, 2024. Obijohn Onyeka was an unused substitute in that game.

Born to a Nigerian father, Paul Obi Onyeka and a South Korean mother, on June 30th, 2005 in South Korea where is father is based, John Onyeka is striving to carve a niche for himself having started in the Asian land with 148 appearances, 66 assists and 48 goals for Sinjeong between 2015 and 2018. He continued to improve when he joined Mokdong in 2018 and by the time he left the club in 2020 he featured in 108 matches with 48 assists and 33 goals. 

Not satisfied with what he achieved at his previous club Obijohn Onyeka proceeded to Chungeng High School where he was until he switched to Europe last summer with Westerlo. Before he left Chungeng High School, Onyeka left his imprint with 28 assists and 18 goals from 72 games.

He was designated to the Westerlo U21 to continue to gain experience with the junior team but could as well play for the U19 team because he is still within the age range. After he had a good preseason with his new club, he was trusted to make his league debut at Truidense U21 on September 1st, 2023. Even though Westerlo lost the game 2-1, John Onyeka gave a good account of himself and lasted the entire 90 minutes of the game.

His next game for Westerlo U21 was on September 29th, 2023. It was another away game against Francs Borains which they won 7-0. He was introduced in the final 19 minutes of the game and he ensured his team kept a clean sheet. 

Obijohn Onyeka was listed next on November 24th, 2023 in another fixture at KMSK Deinze. He was available for 70 minutes in their 5-2 away win. 

Onyeka entered the game in the final 27 minutes of Westerlo goalless draw at home to Waasland Beveren on December 4th, 2023 and was available for 90 minutes four days later in their 3-0 away win at FC Liege where he scored the team's second goal. It was his first goal of the season.

The youngster was listed again on December 13th, 2023 in their 2-0 home win over KV Oostende. He played for 90 minutes. He was an unused substitute in the next game with KAS Eupen on the 26th January, 2024. Westerlo U21 won the game away 2-1. 

He got his seventh game of the season for the U21 in their 1-0 loss to Kortrijk on February 2nd, 2024. He was available for the game's duration before the latest 1-1 draw with Dender on Friday, February 23rd, 2024.

Obijohn Onyeka will hope to be at his best when Westerlo host Lommel SK in another U21 fixture on February 29th with his sight on protecting the team's lead at the top of the table and maintaining his recommendable record this season. He has a goal and two assists to show for his efforts.