Former Nigerian international Ogenyi Onazi has thrown his support behind Frank Onyeka’s loan move from Brentford to Championship side Coventry City, describing it as a smart and well-timed decision in the midfielder’s career.
Onazi, a key member of Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations–winning squad, urged fans to look beyond the league status and understand the realities of a professional footballer’s career.
“You know we are footballers, but people don’t know how tight it is and what’s happening. They just see that he has moved from the Premier League to the Championship,” Onazi said.
“People will talk about you leaving the Premier League for the Championship. All those things aren’t important. It’s those who are in the game that know what is happening. That’s why you should do what you need to do and block out the outside noise.”
According to Onazi, the loan move should be viewed as a strategic step focused on development and game time rather than a demotion. He stressed that consistent minutes are vital for maintaining confidence and value, especially in the highly competitive English football system.
“For his manager, Frank Lampard, he played the same position; he understands him and knows his value. So for me, it’s a fantastic move for him and the team,” Onazi explained. “At Brentford, imagine him just sitting on the bench; his value and confidence drop.”
Onazi’s perspective carries weight given his own extensive experience across multiple leagues. During his playing career, he featured for clubs such as Lazio in Italy, Trabzonspor in Turkey, Charlotte Independence in the United States, and Al-Adalah in Saudi Arabia.
For Onyeka, the Coventry loan represents an opportunity to play regularly under a manager who understands his role and strengths. As Onazi suggests, in modern football, progression is often about making the right move at the right time, not simply staying in the biggest league.
