Paul Onuachu’s story is one of remarkable resilience and triumph. Towering at nearly the same height as Peter Crouch, Onuachu’s journey from a determined football-loving boy to a prominent striker is rarely fully appreciated by football fans. Once a young player whose father refused to give him transport money after numerous unsuccessful trials, Onuachu faced significant hurdles early in his career. His path was marred by the corruption and challenges of Nigerian football, yet he persevered, defying the odds to make a name for himself abroad. This article delves into the life of the towering striker, highlighting his struggles, perseverance, and the hard-fought journey to success.
How Paul Onuachu Turned Early Struggles into Football Triumph
Preamble:
Our profile of Paul Onuachu’s story offers a deep dive into his formative years and rise to fame. We start by exploring significant moments from his childhood and his experiences growing up in Owerri (Imo State) and Ajah (Lagos State), Nigeria. This narrative outlines the key events that paved the way for his success in football. You’ll also learn about his parents, family background, siblings, and the lifestyle of the Nigerian ‘Goal King.’ This article provides a comprehensive look at the man behind the towering striker, revealing insights into his personal journey and achievements.
Now, let’s whet your autobiography appetite on the engaging nature of Paul Onuachu Bio. We give you a landscape gallery of his Grass to Grace timelines. Behold a perfect introduction to the Story of the Golden Bull.
Paul Onuachu Biography – The Untold Biography Facts.
Indeed, his towering presence makes him a remarkable sight in action. However, his life story remains relatively unexplored by many. We’ve delved deep into his life story, and now it’s time to reveal the full history of this remarkable footballer.
Paul Onuachu Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, he bears two nicknames. The first is “The Golden Bull”, and the second is “The Siege Tower”.
Ebere Paul Onuachu was born on the 28th day of May 1994 to Nigerian parents – in the city of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Upon his birth, his Dad and Mum gave him a Nigerian Igbo native name, ‘Ebere’, which means ‘one who shows mercy.’
Paul Onuachu is the first son of his family. He, alongside his siblings, spent the earliest of their childhood days in Owerri, a city in South-East Nigeria.
Growing-Up and Early Football Expeditions:
Playing the beautiful game as a child in the streets of Owerri had a key role in the growth and foundation of his career.
Although serious football began in Lagos, at the time, Paul Onuachu’s family left Imo state to settle in Lagos.
The reason for his parent’s decision to migrate was to get more economic opportunities. Paul Onuachu’s Dad opted to settle in Ojo.
This is a local government area and town in Lagos. Back then, Paul’s family home wasn’t far away from Lagos State University (LASU).
For many Nigerians (Paul inclusive), childhood football is forever full of fun.
Paul, like many others (the likes of Odion Ighalo and Samuel Chukwueze), all witnessed the ten Golden Rules of playing local football in the Nigerian suburbs. These rules are as follows;
As a child, he passed through the ten golden rules of boyhood football.
The Golden Rule of Nigerian Childhood Football:
One: The fattest kid among Paul Onuachu’s childhood friends was always the one to be chosen as the goalkeeper.
Two: Any kid who owns and brings the ball to the field is king. That kid is always the first to choose the team he belongs to.
Three: If a child gets picked as the last, it means that person is a serial loser and probably doesn’t know how to play football.
Four: The child who never gets picked/selected for a football match will have to fetch the ball when it gets stuck under a car or drainage tunnel. By doing so, he automatically gets a ticket to play in the next game.
Five: As observed in the photo above, a football match can happen in the rain, and it ends when every kid gets tired.
Six: When the owner of the ball gets annoyed by a kid of the other opponent, the soccer game is very likely to be called off.
Seven: There is nothing like having a referee and linesmen, meaning Paul and his friends can run with the ball – even behind the goalpost.
Eight: Any of Paul’s friends who puts on a boot is disallowed to play, especially when others are on barefoot.
Nine: On many occasions, kicking the ball into a neighbour’s compound – especially the one that hates the noise of kids playing soccer often implies the game was OVER.
Ten: For some kids, a football game will come to an end if they hear their Dad’s car horn as he returns from work.
Paul Onuachu Family Background:
The 6 foot 7 forward comes from a typical Nigerian middle-class household. Paul Onuachu’s family were neither the rich nor poor type.
Paul Onuach parents were once middle-income earners who could afford to live and raise their children in Lagos’ suburbs and its peripheral environments.
As a senior child, there came this sense of responsibility. Paul Onuachu’s Dad and Mum wanted him to be successful and take care of his younger ones.
They supported his career pursuit and had early hopes that he would make it as a footballer.
Even though they approved Paul to pursue a football career, there was a backup option – should in case football didn’t work out.
They had planned that young Paul would go learn a job that would help him become an entrepreneur.
Paul Onuachu Family Origin:
Did you know?… At the time of putting up this Bio, the Igbo tribe of Nigeria prides itself in their assemblage of the country’s footballing strike force. The chief among them is the Premier League hitman – Kelechi Iheanacho.
Paul Onuachu’s tribe is Igbo. This is an ethnic or language group in Southeastern Nigeria. Again, Paul Onuachu’s state of origin is Imo, Nigeria.
He is from Owerri, the capital of Imo state. In case you don’t know, Owerri is the entertainment capital of Southeast Nigeria.
This map explains Paul Onuachu’s Family Origin. This is Owerri, his ancestral roots.
Education and Career Buildup:
As a child, going to school was normal, but the main focus was to get into a Football club or programme in Lagos.
Paul knew his early education must be complete, but a secondary school might be optional because he believed football would take over from there.
He horned his football craft in Ojo (Lagos), where he began playing the game on barefoot. Also, as a child, the youngster felt unstoppable because of how well he progressed with the game.
Paul Onuachu Football Story:
Getting into an academy that will be able to groom/develop a player and then market him to any European club is actually a big deal in Nigeria.
Paul prayed and worked hard and had the self-belief that one day, an opportunity would come for him.
While he played at Ojo (Lagos), lots of people appreciated him – saying that he was a good footballer.
In a particular completion, Paul Onuachu outclassed his opponents. Thankfully, some football scouts (not international, but Local Government) watched him do that.
Making their remark on Paul, one of the football scouts said,
I think this boy has got something.
One of the football scouts walked up to Paul and gave him the contact of his friend, whom he believed would help him. This person’s name is Kennedy, and he lives in Togo.
He also assured Paul Onuachu that Kenedy would be interested in him joining his Liberty Sports Academy. That he should seek his parent’s approval to travel to Togo for trials.
Mr Kennedy further convinced Paul that a successful trial with the Togo club would get him that lifetime opportunity of travelling and playing abroad – in Europe.
The Togo Outcome – Early Football disappointments:
Because of the need to support and see him succeed, Paul Onuachu’s parents approved his travelling to Togo. Mind you, Togo is a neighbouring country of Nigeria – in West Africa.
Thankfully, the boy passed trials and stayed in the academy – hoping that the good things he was told about Liberty Academy would surely come to reality.
Sadly, one year of constant hard work passed, and nothing happened. This left the young footballer very frustrated.
Paul Onuachu learnt his lessons after finding the bitter truth about the idea of travelling to Europe through Togo.
He believed that travelling to Europe using football is much harder for footballers in Togo when compared to Nigeria. Having had enough of the mystery, the poor boy parked his bag and headed home – to his family.
The Journey to Fame:
The youngster returned from Togo and told himself he was not going back there again. At this time, he knew going to that country wasn’t the best of ideas. Here is Paul’s account of the Togo experience.
After the failed expectations in Togo, Paul Onuachu returned to his family home in Ojo, Lagos state.
Even while home, he would regularly go out to play football – requesting transport monies from his Dad. Each time he came back, there was always no good news. Paul met no one or found any football opportunity that would see him go to Europe.
At this time, Paul Onuachu’s parents felt they’d had enough. They became frustrated with their son’s bad luck. In fact, the boy’s Dad could not hold it any longer. He got angry and said the following to Paul;
You have been doing every day to play football and yet coming back home with nothing.
This time, you have to get something – a job or Apprenticeship – to do.
Paul Onuachu’s dad complained about how tired he was of giving his son transport money to travel to places for football trials.
Yet, there was nothing that came out of it. He advised Paul to activate his Plan B – meaning he should go get a job or learn handwork.
During this time, Paul Onuachu’s Mum supported her son – with her little income.
However what his Dad actually wanted is a situation where Paul would start contributing to the family’s upkeep – meaning he has to start bringing money home.
Fighting the Pressure to Quit Playing Football:
After listening to his Dad advice against football, Paul vowed to keep pushing (on the low key)- never caring what the old man said.
However, one part of his mind also began considering quitting football to get a skilled job.
At some point, Paul boldly gave the entire issue another thought – saying in his mind – that football has been his life since his childhood.
Even at that, the decision to quit the game overshadowed his mind. This is because he truly wanted to bring money home. Paul agreed to at least go out to look for something (a job) to do – and still have football in his mind.
Meeting Destiny – on his way to Quit Football:
Paul Onuachu felt at peace in his quest to get something (a job) to keep his life going.
One faithful day, as he was on his way to start a job, he met one of his old coaches (Osahon) – on the road. Paul took their meeting as a means to pour out his frustrations.
The boy opened up to his old coach about the discussion and agreement he had with his parents on quitting football.
Rather than allowing him to just give up, Coach Osahon gave Paul some hope. He told him about another trial at FC Ebedei – convincing him to try it.
Please note that FC Ebedei is a Nigerian football school that was based in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, after a move from Lagos in 2001.
This soccer club is owned by Churchill Oliseh, a Nigerian football manager who is the blood brother of retired Nigerian Legend and captain – Sunday Oliseh.
This man, Churchill, is credited with discovering ex-Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins while he was playing street football in Lagos.
It took Paul Onuachu some extra energy to convince his parents to let him try – for one more time.
Thankfully, his Dad and Mum approved – what they call his last chance. The boy then went to FC Ebedei – a football academy in Ogun State, Nigeria.
The Last Opportunity to Become a Footballer:
Before going to Ebedei for trials, Paul did some research about the football club. He discovered that some of his friends (whom he played football with) had actually gone there for trials.
Shockingly, these people (whom he played better than) went to FC Ebedei behind back doors, a feat that exposes corruption in the Nigerian youth/academy football industry.
Paul had this self-belief that he would go there and make it – which he did.
In Nigeria as a whole, almost every aspiring professional footballer gets scared whenever they hear the name – FC Ebedei.
Yes, Paul was also scared, as he noticed his first training with the academy was very hard. The truth is, he, at first, couldn’t meet the physical demands of the Ebedei.
Using the Sallah Break as his Final Push to make it:
Luckily for Paul, a national festive holiday (Muslim Sallah break) arrived – and FC Ebedei’s owner Churchill told all staff and players to go home and celebrate with their families.
While most of his teammates travelled to celebrate the Sallah break, Paul remained at FC Ebedei training ground. And he took it upon himself to train so hard – during the holidays.
Paul could remember telling himself these words;
If I really want to go to Europe, then it is not a good idea for me to go home for Sallah.
I have to take advantage of this holiday.
Paul, alongside three of his friends, trained all alone at Ebedei camp. He used the Sallah holiday period to do all sorts of hard physical work – which he wasn’t able to do before.
Yes, Paul did all that while others were busy on holiday enjoying themselves with their families.
By the time everyone got back to Ebedei camp and training resumed, Paul found himself doing almost everything that was asked of him.
In fact, he rose to be among the best footballers (top 4) at FC Ebedei’s academy. The boy’s confidence grew, and in no time, he could see his destiny calling him to Europe.
To the joy of Paul Onuachu’s family, their breadwinner son finally made his dreams – after so much suffering. A Denmark club didn’t just fall in love with him; they wanted him to be the future of their dream team.
This is the Nigerian footballer’s story about how he became successful at FC Ebedei.
Paul Onuachu Biography – The European Success Story:
The hardworking striker earned a transfer to Danish club FC Midtjylland in the year 2012. Paul went on a scholarship given to him by FC Ebedei. Please note that the Nigerian club is an affiliate of FC Midtjylland.
Paul Onuachu finished his youth football with the Danish club – where he scored lots of goals. Being a prolific scorer, they pushed him to the first team in December 2012 – the very year he joined them.
From the very first match of his senior career, the 6-foot-7 forward began destroying defenders. Behold, the 6 foot 7 striker hitting goals (left, right and centre).
At the time of writing Paul Onuachu’s Biography, he has become a force to be reckoned with – in both the Nigerian national team and his Belgian club Genk.
With so many standout moments, it does not surprise us to see bigger European clubs going after his signature.
Trophies and Accolades:
The giant Genk hitman has not become a Goal King of Belgium. No wonder, Spurs. Atletico, Dortmund and West Ham are in the race to sign him – DailyMail (2021 report).
These notable honours have made Onuachu become the biggest toast of Nigerian football.
Paul Onuachu Success Story. He is the true definition of patience and grace.
For a long time, and even to date, Nature has always blessed Nigeria with abundant football talents. Paul Onuachu, alongside Victor Osimhen (CF), Taiwo Awoniyi (CF) and Odion Ighalo, are among the best in the country’s production line of forwards. Moses Simon is another Nigerian big-name who is well-partnered with him.
The rest, as we say, of Paul Onuachu’s Biography is now history. Now, let’s take you to the details of his relationship.
Love Life:
As I write this Biography, the Nigerian professional footballer is dating a lady from Ghana. Paul Onuachu’s girlfriend has all the qualities of being a good wife. With her, the footballer never lacks anything at home – especially food.
This is Paul Onuachu’s Girlfriend. They both attended the wedding ceremony of a friend, Peter Olayinka.
On food matters, Paul Onuachu’s girlfriend loves to prepare his favourite – the Ghana Jolof rice.
By meeting her, the Baller learned to love his particular type of rice. He loves it even better than the type cooked in his motherland (Nigeria).
Personality:
This section of our Biography tells you the things you don’t know about The Golden Bull.
First things first, he is someone who carries the Nigerian culture wherever he goes. Paul Onuachu loves speaking the Nigerian Pidgin language and doesn’t care if he is in Europe. Now watch this;
Also, the football giant sure knows when someone tries to make fun of his assets – even his shoes. This is what he told his best friend (Stephen Odey) – in Pidgin English.
Lifestyle:
The striker is the type who loves to be physically active every day.
In fact, Paul Onuachu lives a healthy lifestyle, one that ensures his mental well-being. Behold the 6 foot 7 giant after his workout routine.
The Lifestyle of the Goal King – Explained.
Truly, he loves to bring that Nigerian torch to his life in Europe. Upon reaching the continent, Paul kept on listening to Nigerian Gbese music – which he did a lot while he was in the country.
Paul Onuachu Car:
Among all the brands, he prefers the BMW. And there are no dull moments when Paul drives you around in his car. He’ll definitely shower you with Nigerian music – especially this one, sung by Zlatan Ibile.
Paul Onuachu Family Facts:
The Baller hails from a household that understands what he wants to be in life. They also gave him the needed support to pursue his career goals.
Here in this Bio, we’ll tell you more facts about Paul Onuachu’s family. Let’s begin with the head of the house.
Paul Onuachu Father:
It is normal for any Dad to hit a limit towards supporting the first son of the family. Paul Onuachu’s father told him to abandon football and get a job or apprenticeship.
He did that out of the frustration of spending a lot on his transport for football trials, which he failed.
The proud Dad would forever be grateful for approving his son to have that final push with FC Ebedei.
More so, Mr Onuachu would be grateful to Paul’s former coach, Osahon. This is the man who helped his family with access to that last piece of vital information.
Paul Onuachu Mother:
As a wholehearted supporter of her husband, she played a role in keeping her son’s hope alive. This happened even in the face of frustration.
Paul Onuachu’s mother provided some level of financial support for him. That helped her son to keep pushing for an opportunity to reach Europe.
Paul Onuachu Siblings:
In a typical Nigerian family, there comes great responsibility for the first child. This also includes the first son of the family.
A sense of responsibility was bestowed on Paul to provide for his family. This implies he might have siblings. And he is very much the first son of his Mum and Dad.
Untold Facts:
Rounding up this Bio, we’ll use this section to unveil more truths about the Giant. In other words, the Untold Facts about Paul Onuachu. Without further ado, now let’s begin.
Paul Onuachu Salary as compared to the Ordinary Nigerian Citizen:
As of 2021, Paul reportedly earns approximately 23,000 euros per week with his Belgian club, Racing Club Genk.
Where Paul Onuachu comes from, the average Nigerian middle class makes around ₦150,000 naira per month. With that figure, such citizens would need six years to make Paul Onuachu’s weekly salary of ₦10,832,086. WoW!
Paul Onuachu Profile (FIFA):
The Naija Baller hadn’t reached his peak at the time of creating his Bio. Yet, EA unfairly treats Paul by giving him a 77 overall and a 79 potential rating.
Ahmed Musa and Chukwubuike Adamu, amongst others, also suffer similar poor ratings. Paul needs to join a top-tier English club to have his rating improve.
The Nigerian striker is highly underrated in FIFA.
Paul Onuachu Religion:
The professional Footballer was born and raised under the Nigerian Christian faith.
Paul Onuachu bears a Catholic name, and his family is among the 10.6% of the Nigerian population who identify themselves as Roman Catholics.
Conclusion:
Not many aspiring footballers from Nigeria make that dream of going to Europe, Nigeria. Paul Onuachu’s Biography teaches us that anything is possible in life.
His success is no accident, and the footballer made lots of sacrifices in order to reach his dream.
Sometimes, we encounter roadblocks and moments when career dreams seem so out of reach.
For many aspiring footballers in Africa, it makes them wonder if the quest to become a professional footballer is truly worth pursuing or fighting for.
It behoves us to commend Paul Onuachu’s parents for their support and approval of his desire to become a professional footballer.
Also, to coach Osahon and FC Ebedei for giving the Baller the opportunity and platform, which led him to FC Midtjylland.
Appreciation Note:
Thank you for giving us your time to read the life story of the Golden Bull. A man deemed by Marca to be the solution to Atlético’s height problems. Stay tuned for more Nigerian Football Stories. The History of Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi should excite you.
While creating Paul Onuachu’s Bio, our team was on the lookout for accuracy and fairness. Kindly contact us if you notice anything that doesn’t look right in this memo. Otherwise, would you rather tell us what you think about Paul Onuachu – in our comment section? Thanks!
