Isaac Okoronkwo
Encyclopedia
Isaac Okoronkwo is a professional football
player who currently plays as a defender for FC Rostov
in Russia.
Okoronkwo started his career at FC Lagos before moving to the Nigerian topclub Julius Berger FC
. His first club outside Nigeria was a six month spell at Al-Rayyan in Qatar, but the club could not afford to keep him before this period and he returned home to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. He spent one season there before again heading abroad with Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova for two seasons. In Summer 2000, he signed to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukraine.
With Shakhtar he played in the UEFA Champions League
and UEFA Cup
, and won the Ukrainian Cup in 2001 and the league title in 2002. After his contract expired in 2003, several FA Premier League
and German Bundesliga
clubs like Schalke 04 and Borussia Mönchengladbach
tried to sign him. He eventually signed a one-year deal with newly-promoted Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Okoronkwo's time in England did not prove a success though as he was unable to break into the team until the closing months of the season, by which time the club faced almost certain relegation from the top flight. After they suffered the drop, Okoronkwo was released and eventually came to play in Russia with Alania Vladikavkaz. Alania folded under financial problems in 2005 and he signed with FC Moscow in 2006, soon becoming an important member of the starting line-up at his new club. The same season he was voted player of the season, alongside Hector Bracamonte
.
Okoronkwo played 25 games for the Nigeria national team
since making his debut on January 13, 2001, against Zambia
. He played in the 2002 and 2004
African Cup of Nations
(finishing 3rd both times) and in the Olympics Games
in 2000. He also played in every minute of Nigeria's 2002 World Cup campaign, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who currently plays as a defender for FC Rostov
FC Rostov
FC Rostov is a Russian football club based in Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast. The club are currently members of the Russian Premier League and play at the Olimp – 2 stadium.-History:...
in Russia.
Okoronkwo started his career at FC Lagos before moving to the Nigerian topclub Julius Berger FC
Julius Berger FC
Bridge Boys FC is a Nigerian football club based in Lagos. It was founded in the mid 1970s by the Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and has won national championships and competed internationally...
. His first club outside Nigeria was a six month spell at Al-Rayyan in Qatar, but the club could not afford to keep him before this period and he returned home to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. He spent one season there before again heading abroad with Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova for two seasons. In Summer 2000, he signed to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukraine.
With Shakhtar he played in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, and won the Ukrainian Cup in 2001 and the league title in 2002. After his contract expired in 2003, several FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
and German Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
clubs like Schalke 04 and Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
tried to sign him. He eventually signed a one-year deal with newly-promoted Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Okoronkwo's time in England did not prove a success though as he was unable to break into the team until the closing months of the season, by which time the club faced almost certain relegation from the top flight. After they suffered the drop, Okoronkwo was released and eventually came to play in Russia with Alania Vladikavkaz. Alania folded under financial problems in 2005 and he signed with FC Moscow in 2006, soon becoming an important member of the starting line-up at his new club. The same season he was voted player of the season, alongside Hector Bracamonte
Héctor Bracamonte
Héctor Andrés Bracamonte, is an Argentine footballer who currently plays as a striker for Russian Premier League club FC Rostov.- Career :...
.
Okoronkwo played 25 games for the Nigeria national team
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
since making his debut on January 13, 2001, against Zambia
Zambia national football team
The Zambia national football team represents the country of Zambia in the sport of association football and is governed by the Football Association of Zambia. Before independence they were known as the Northern Rhodesia national football team. The side is nicknamed Chipolopolo as copper is one of...
. He played in the 2002 and 2004
2004 African Cup of Nations
The 2004 African Cup of Nations was the 24th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Tunisia. Just like in 2002, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
(finishing 3rd both times) and in the Olympics Games
Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...
in 2000. He also played in every minute of Nigeria's 2002 World Cup campaign, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.