After keeping out of relegation – 172-time Oberliga player seeks new challenge

The Spielvereinigung Sterkrade-Nord managed to stay in the league on the last matchday. The captain no longer played a role.

Spvvg. Sterkrade-Nord found it very difficult to find their way in the Landesliga after their relegation from the Oberliga. At the winter break, a new coach, Sven Schützek, came in to lead the club to the relegation. And: Schützek successfully brought the mission to the finish line!

“When you stay in on the last match day, it’s clear that a lot of things went wrong during the season. I tried to make the best of the situation and in the end we achieved our goal. That’s why we’re all happy. Relegation is always a sporting disaster. Fortunately, we were able to avoid it. I would also like to praise the players, who approached the last game with a lot of heart and passion,” Schützek told RevierSport.

The captain did not deserve this praise, at least not on that day. For Oguzhan Cuhaci was sent off for the last game – Nord won 2-1 against SV Genc Osman Duisburg. In general, it was a season to forget for the 32-year-old. “I don’t want to look back now. But it’s clear: I would have liked more respect and trust from those responsible. In the end, however, the club managed to stay in the league and thus justified some of the decisions. The only thing that counts for me now is the future,” says the newly minted family man, who only made 13 appearances (one goal, one assist) in 2022/2023.

After around two years, Cuhaci is now also leaving Sterkrade-Nord. “I am looking for a new challenge, whether that will be as a player, playing coach or co-coach, I don’t know yet. In any case, I want to try something new and get back to enjoying football,” explains the 172-time Oberliga player.

Cuhaci, who played for clubs such as Homberg, Hamborn, Sterkrade-Nord and FSV Duisburg in the 5th division, does not yet know where his path will lead. “I live in Dinslaken, I’ve become a dad and so it’s clear that I don’t want to drive 50 kilometres to training any more. But I’m confident that I’ll find an exciting challenge nearby,” says Cuhaci.