Nigerian-Korean Youngster, Obijohn Onyeka Helps Westerlo To Belgian U-19 Cup Semis

 

KVC Westerlo youth player, Obijohn Onyeka has helped his Belgian side qualify for the semi final of the Under 19 Belgium Cup.

The youngster has not looked back since he got to Europe last summer with his caring mother by his side after he helped KVC Westerlo U21 to the top of the Belgian League and the Under 19 to the semi final of the U19 Cup.

The 18 year old who naturally plays for the Under 21 team was seconded to the Under 19 team and he never disappointed as he starred in their Wednesday night 5-0 victory against KAA Gent in the quarter final of the competition. 

He also had a commendable performance for his Belgian Under 21 club in their 5-1 win over Lommel SK U21 side in the Belgium U21 Pro League tie played at stade Denderleeuw a few days before the game with KAA Gent Under 19 side.

Onyeka has played nine matches this season for the Under 21 alone in the junior League and has been impressive coupled with a few games for the Under 19 team also. 

Born to a Nigerian father, Paul Obi Onyeka and a South Korean mother, Han Sunhee on June 30th, 2005 in South Korea where is father is based,  Onyeka Jr 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 moved to Europe with Westerlo U21 as his first port of call 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, Obijohn 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 entire duration before the 1-1 draw with Dender on Friday, February 23rd, 2024 and the game with Lommel SK last week.

The youngster is expected to be in KVC Westerlo U21 team that will slug it out with Lierse U21 side on Monday March 11th. 

KVC Westerlo U21 side are atop of the Belgium U21 League ahead of second placed Eupen U21 side.