Obiora Aniche is not just the first Nigerian to play for HJK, Finland’s biggest club, he is also the first African player of the club. This was confirmed via the email that was sent to the media department of HJK, the Editor-in-Chief of Diaspora Glitz Magazine Mr Obi-West Utchaychukwu confirms.
It was also confirmed that Aniche scored one of the most important goals in the history of the club by saving the club from going into relegation in 1996.
Aniche is from Ogbaru but was born in Onitsha, both in Anambra State, Nigeria. He had his primary and secondary school in Delta and Anambra State. He played youth football in Nigeria and featured in tournaments like Adebayo cup, Ogbemudia cup and Youths Fund competition. During the Youths Fund competition , he represented DSC Aladja and played against Wilson Oruma’s team (The invincible leopard) and they won the competition. From youth football, he progressed into state league where he played for Fegge football club and he captained the club for almost two years 91-92.
He also represented Anambra State in the Manuwa Adebajo Cup. In 1993, he signed for Udoji United and had a blistering season with them before moving to Finland in 1994 where he played for Finnish biggest club, HJK for three seasons (1995- 1997)
Aniche made headline in 1996 with his goal against HIK
Between 1995 and 1997, Aniche played 44 matches for HJK in the Veikkausliiga and scored 12 goals. He scored his first league goal in his first league match on July 5, 1995, when HJK played at home with a 1-1 draw against the TPV. He won the most valuable player in 1995. In the 1996 season, Aniche, being a prolific striker, scored one of the most important goal in the history of HJK by saving them from going into relegation during the play offs. The important match was against HIK and it ended 1:1 after winning away match which ended 1:0
HJK football club
He also played for other clubs before hanging his boots. Aniche received MS bronze in 1995 and Finnish Championship in 1997. In addition, he won the Finnish Cup at HJK in 1996 and also the FA cup.
In February 2015, Aniche started as a full-time junior coach at TIPS, he also coached the Nigeria football club in Helsinki for many years. He has completed UEFA B coaching training.
