Onoja Joseph and the Special Derby

In the last summer transfer window, the name Onoja Joseph made fansLam River Nghe Anrestless. When the Nigerian midfielder's contract with Naft Al-Basra (Iraq) expired and he became a free agent, many sources confirmed that he was very close to joining Vinh Stadium. Negotiations were taking place, the press even reported that he and Gustavo Sant Ana Santos were preparing to wear the Song Lam Nghe An shirt. However, at the last minute, everything collapsed in regret.

Gustavo switched to SHB Da Nang, and Onoja Joseph was rumored to return to renew his contract with his old team. For Nghe An fans, that was a big disappointment, because Onoja possessed all the qualities they expected from a central midfielder: good physical strength, effective blocking ability, few injuries and a fiery playing style – a true “sweeper” in the middle of the field.

Just when it seemed like that dream was over, something unexpected happened. In the last days before the season started, Onoja Joseph suddenly joined Hong Linh Ha Tinh – a team he had unsuccessfully tried out for in the 2024-2025 season. Many people even believed that his chance at Hong Linh Ha Tinh was over after his unsuccessful tryout.

However, times have changed,Hong Linh Ha Tinhnow no longer under the guidance of coach Nguyen Thanh Cong but has been transferred to coach Nguyen Cong Manh - a young, pragmatic and always eager to create something new. And it is also here that Onoja Joseph has found a good land to express himself.

After just a few matches, the Nigerian midfielder has become an indispensable piece in coach Nguyen Cong Manh’s system. The Nigerian midfielder plays with dedication, is ready to fight fiercely and is always a solid shield right in front of the defense. It is also thanks to the presence of Onoja Joseph that Hong Linh Ha Tinh has had 2 consecutive victories and not conceded any goals – an extremely impressive achievement.

That impressive performance helped Onoja Joseph gain strong points in the hearts of Ha Tinh fans. But soon, his biggest challenge will come – the confrontation with Song Lam Nghe An in the Nghe Tinh Derby.

Not just a derby, this is also a competition between the two most notable figures in the midfield: Onoja Joseph (Hong Linh Ha Tinh) and Carlos Enrique (Song Lam Nghe An). Both are foreign players with a defensive orientation, possess good physique, effective blocking ability and are not afraid of collision. The confrontation between them is not only a tactical battle, but also a place to decide the balance of the game in the midfield area.

For Onoja Joseph, it was a chance to prove that Song Lam was wrong to let him go. For Carlos Enrique, it was a moment to prove that he was the right choice for coach Phan Nhu Thuat. In a match with such local and emotional significance as the Nghe Tinh Derby, every interception, every tackle or every open pass can make a difference.

Especially when, the Nghe Tinh Derby matches are often quite balanced. It is thanks to the brilliance of individuals that the difference can be made. Therefore, the confrontation between Onoja Joseph and Carlos Enrique is very interesting and worth waiting for in the upcoming match.

Carlos Enrique will erase the image ofOnoja Joseph, or will Onoja Joseph make Song Lam Nghe An regret even more? The answer will be revealed after 90 tense minutes at Vinh Stadium this weekend.

Spring Quy