Obi Anthony Rising Through Granada’s Youth as Midfield Dynamo

Young Nigerian midfielder Obi Anthony is quickly making a name for himself in Spain, standing out as one of the brightest prospects in the Granada CF youth setup.

A product of Ojinmah Football Academy in Imo State, Anthony has impressed coaches and fans alike with his calmness on the ball, composure under pressure, and remarkable stamina that keeps him active across every inch of the pitch.

Playing as a defensive midfielder, the talented youngster embodies the traits of a modern day engine room player  disciplined in defence, intelligent in positioning, and precise in passing. His ability to read the game and break up opposition attacks has earned him praise within Granada’s academy system.

Those close to his development describe Anthony as a “natural leader with a mature understanding of the game,” and many believe it’s only a matter of time before he breaks into professional football at a higher level.

With his current trajectory, Obi Anthony looks destined to follow in the footsteps of Nigeria’s finest midfielders and could soon be a name to watch for the Super Eagles in the years to come.

Editorial

Football has always had its way of revealing talent not in grand fanfare, but in quiet insistence a midfield touch that calms, a positional sense that disrupts, a seriousness in training unseen by many. Obi Anthony’s rise at Granada CF feels like one of those stories. It is not stamped with lightning-strikes, but with a slow build of competence, character, and potential.

From his roots in Imo State’s Ojinmah Academy to the youth ranks in Spain, Anthony’s journey is emblematic of the modern path for African talent: early migration, incremental learning, adaptability. He plays defensive midfield, a role long undervalued yet arguably more central than ever in elite football. Coaches no longer want just box-to-box energy they seek reading of space, defensive intent, acute judgment. There, Anthony is said to excel.

Still, talent is one part of a broader equation. For many young prospects, the hurdle is consistency not just in matches, but in mentality, recovery, decision making. Will he cope when stakes are higher? When opponents are more physical, systems tighter, mistakes less tolerated? That bridge separates those who merely “look good” in academy matches from those who make it in professional football.

Nigeria has produced many midfielders who could dribble through stories, yet only a few who shaped winning narratives. Anthony might yet join those ranks. But his present moment demands patience from club and self: careful management of minutes; exposure to diverse playing styles; mentorship; and the confidence to make mistakes and learn from them.

In Spain, where tactical sophistication is premium and demands exactitude, Anthony has the right surroundings. If he remains disciplined, values humility, and harnesses his natural leadership, he has every chance of being more than a prospect perhaps one day anchoring midfield for the Super Eagles, perhaps drawing interest from elite clubs beyond Granada.

Did You Know?

1. U20 National Call-Up: Anthony was called up to Nigeria’s Flying Eagles (U20) squad ahead of the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, thanks to his performances with Granada’s youth teams.
2. Recent Transfer He joined Granada in December 2024, moving from Spain’s Tercera Federación club Moralo CP.
3. Style of Play Comparisons: In academy circles at Granada, he is frequently noted for combining physical presence with tactical discipline often compared to midfielders who can control pace and shield defence while also initiating transitions.
4. Age and Background He is 19 years old and hails from Imo State, rising from grassroots (Ojinmah FC) into European youth football.
5. Role in Youth Setup: Though he plays in defensive midfield, his coaches praise not only his defensive attributes but also his passing accuracy and ability to carry the ball forward under pressure qualities that could allow him to evolve into a deep-lying playmaker.