Uchechukwu Alozie Okechukwu former Nigerian and Fenerbahce defender took the path of the bush after retirement. Former Super Eagles Captain declared to be a professional hunter. Captain Uche was born in Lagos state Nigeria, he grew up loving and playing football. He started his football career in Nigerian domestic league NPFL (Nigeria Football Professional League).
Early Football Career.
Uchechukwu started his soccer career with Bendel United then called Flash Flamingoes in 1987 as a central defender. He later moved to another domestic league side Iwuanyanwu Nationale now called Heartland of Owerri. Uche spent four years in the Nigerian League and gained popularity outside the country, with his performance. In July 1990, he joined Brondby F.C, in Demark on a three years contract. The Nigerian defender was able to score 10 goals in his 61 appearances as a central defender for the Danish side.
Turkish Career
The 1992 AFCON which Nigeria lost in the semi-finals contributed to announcing him as he was linked to the Turkish side Fenerbahce SK. Uche signed for the Turkish side Fenerbahce on 1993 November. He was able to help the club to its first Super Lig championship after season years in relegation. Uchechukwu scored 91 times for the Turkish side in his 191 league games.
He later moved to another Turkish side Istanbulspor in 2002, he spent four years with his side and played well scoring eight times in as a central defender in 75 matches. Uchuchukwu returned the Nigerian league after over 200 caps outside his country Nigeria. In 2007 he signed for joined Ocean Boys in Bayelsa and then later to Bayelsa United before retiring in 2009 at the age of 41.
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Uchechukwu Okechukwu won the Nigeria Premier League title with Iwuanyanwu Nationale twice in 1987/88 and 1988/89. He won the Danish Superliga twice in 1990 and 1991, also won the Turkish Super Lig title in 1995/96 and 2000/01. Internationally Uche won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994, he is the captain of the Nigerian Summer Olympic team that won Gold. The defender won the Player of the Year Award for Brondby In 1992.
His New Sport
After retiring Uchechukwu returned to his home town in Aba to pick his child hold hobby. The player said soccer was not the hobby he has. He has always loved the hunting sport and he even went hunting even when he was in Turkey.
The former captain said he loves his life the way it is, and he sees no problem falling back to what he loves to do. “I am old now, the only thing that will give me joy is that which has always given me joy outside of soccer. Hunting that gives me that joy.”
His brothers seem to be happy with the sport of his new sport. They said it shows how simple and humble he is. He drops his pride and all his wealth to follow us to hunt. That’s something only the simple and humble will do. We are proud of him, they added.