Nguyễn Rodgers
Rodgers Omunsulah Nandwa (born 3 October 1981 in Kenya) is a Kenyan-born naturalized Vietnamese footballer who last played as a midfielder.[2]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Rodgers Omunsulah Nandwa | ||
Date of birth | 3 October 1981 | ||
Place of birth | Kitale, Kenya | ||
Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder, Defensive midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
1994–1996 | St. Anthony's High School | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1997–2000 | Kitale | 34 | (9) |
2000–2009 | Nzoia Sugar[1] | 43 | (19) |
2010–2012 | FLC Thanh Hóa | 19 | (0) |
2013–2014 | Đồng Nai | 35 | (1) |
2015–2016 | XSKT Cần Thơ | 25 | (2) |
2016–2017 | Becamex Bình Dương | 4 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Becoming Vietnamese in 2011, he changed his name from Rodgers Omunsulah Nandwa to Nguyen Van Rodgers to suit his new nationality and was endowed the rights of citizenship.[3][1]
Early life and childhood
Growing up on a farm in Kenya, he played street football with his friends as a recreational activity.
Next, he milked livestock for a living and was sometimes allotted less than 300 dollars a month. A dealer observed his physical vigor in a local match and offered him an opportunity to play his trade abroad in Vietnam. Immediately, he validly accepted the offer.
Career
The Kenyan had a short stint in Uganda before heading to Vietnam[1] which may be why he is labelled by some sources as Ugandan.
At first, Nguyen Rodgers pondered whether to leave Vietnam as he lacked rudimentary football skills, tactical knowledge and people were not impressed with his expertise. Then coach Tran Van Phuc persuaded him to stay and helped him develop his overall skills in football; he hit eight goals in his first season with Thanh Hoa. In the end he left Thanh Hoa the reason being knee cartilage issues.[4] Transferred to Dong Nai F.C. in 2013.[5] For a short amount of time he migrated to different areas in Vietnam as he was deprived of a job.[6]
Netted his first goal for Can Tho on August 9 which was the 400th goal in the 2015 V.League 1;[7] he also participated in all 21 rounds of the 2015 V.League 1.[8]
References
- Machio, Dennis (2011-05-13). "Nandwa switches Kenyan nationality in favor of Vietnam". Michezoafrika.com. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
- "Kenya – Nguyen Rodgers – profile with news, career statistics and history". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- "Bi kịch của ngôi sao xuất thân kỳ lạ nhất bóng đá Việt Nam". Nguoiduatin.vn. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
- "Đồng Nai sẽ có ngoại binh nhập tịch | TTVH Online". Thethaovanhoa.vn. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
- "Nhiễm HIV, sốc ma túy và chuyện những cầu thủ Tây ở Việt Nam". Soha.vn. 2016-05-14. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
- "Sút tung lưới HA.GL, Nguyễn Rodgers ghi bàn thứ 400 của V.League 2015". Bongdaplus.vn. 2015-08-09. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
- "8 cầu thủ góp mặt đủ 21 vòng đấu tại V-League 2015 | Bóng Đá". Bongda.com.vn. 2015-08-19. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
- "Tăng Tuấn và cầu thủ nhập tịch Nguyễn Rodger cập bến FLC Thanh Hóa". Thanhhoaplus.vn. Retrieved 2017-07-01.