Kunle Odunlami

Kunle Odunlami
Personal information
Full name Kunle Ebenezer Odunlami
Date of birth (1990-03-05) 5 March 1990
Place of birth Nigeria
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
Position Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 First Bank F.C. 54 (3)
2013–2016 Sunshine Stars F.C. 89 (11)
2016–2018 FC Botoșani 10 (2)
2018–2019 Gokulam Kerala FC 0 (0)
2019-2021 Rivers United 51 (1)
International career‡
2013–2014 Nigeria 11 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20 July 2016
‡ National team caps and goals as of 11 May 2015


Kunle Ebenezer OdunlamiListenⓘ (born 5 March 1990) is a Nigerian professional footballer who played as a defender[1]. He is known for his performances in the Nigeria Premier Football League, particularly with Sunshine Stars, and for representing the Nigeria national football team at the 2014 African Nations Championship and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[2][3]

Club career

Odunlami began his senior football career in Nigeria with First Bank before moving to Sunshine Stars. At Sunshine Stars, he developed into a regular first-team defender and became known for consistent defensive performances in the Nigeria Premier Football League. His performances at club level earned him recognition at national level and contributed to his invitation to the senior national team.[4]

In 2016, he moved abroad for the first time after joining Romanian Liga I side FC Botoșani. Romanian media reported that he joined the club after successful trials during the club's preparations for the 2016–17 season.[5][6]

International career

In January 2014, coach Stephen Keshi, invited him to be included in the Nigeria national football team for the 2014 African Nations Championship team,[1] where he started every match and made the tournament's Best XI as the team placed third.

2014 African Nations Championship

Odunlami represented Nigeria at the 2014 African Nations Championship, a tournament restricted to players competing in domestic leagues. He featured prominently in Nigeria's defence as the team finished in third place after defeating Zimbabwe in the bronze medal match.[7]

His performances during the tournament earned praise, and he was named in the competition's Team of the Tournament.[8]

2014 FIFA World Cup

In June 2014, Odunlami was included in Nigeria's final 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[9] Although he did not feature in a match, his inclusion marked one of the highest points of his international career.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mihai Roman, Victor Astafei si Kunle Odunlami au efectuat primul antrenament cu FC Botosani!". stiri.botosani.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "Kunle Odunlami". National Football Teams.
  3. ↑ "Nigeria announce final World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 2 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Keshi names final 23-man squad for CHAN". Goal Nigeria. 6 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "Fundaş nigerian testat de FC Botoşani în cantonamentul din Austria" (in Romanian). Botoșani News. 5 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "Kunle Odunlami trains with FC Botoșani" (in Romanian). Știri Botoșani. 18 July 2016.
  7. ↑ "Nigeria beat Zimbabwe to claim CHAN bronze". BBC Sport.
  8. ↑ "CHAN Best XI announced". Goal. 2 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "Nigeria confirm final World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 2 June 2014.


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