Kalu Uche
Encyclopedia
Kalu Uche is a Nigeria
n footballer who plays for Neuchâtel Xamax
in Switzerland
.
Known for his acrobatic goal celebrations, he can operate on occasion as an attacking midfielder or a second striker, and spent most of his professional career in Spain
.
. In 2000–01 season, he joined RCD Espanyol B
in Spain
, failing to receive any first-team
opportunities.
Uche then transferred to Wisła Kraków, playing there until 2005 (winning the Polish League three times and Polish Cup
twice), except for the 2004–05 season when he represented FC Girondins de Bordeaux
, on loan.
, Uche moved to UD Almería
, and was instrumental in helping the Andalusia
outfit to its first ever La Liga
promotion in his second year, netting eight league goals (with three in the last five matches). He made his first division debut on 26 August 2007, coming from the bench in a 3–0 win at Deportivo de La Coruña
.
On 11 January 2009, profiting from the absence of first-choice Álvaro Negredo
, Uche netted both goals in a 2–2 draw at Espanyol. On 5 December, he scored the side's second goal at Real Madrid
for the 2–1, but the hosts eventually rallied back to 4–2.
In the following summer, Negredo was sold to Sevilla FC
(via Real Madrid), and Uche became Almería's most important offensive reference. He finished 2009–10
with a career-best nine goals, namely a brace on 4 May 2010 against Villarreal CF
(4–2 home win), which all but certified the club's permanence in the top level for another year.
Uche spent the first month of the 2010–11 season
on the sidelines, due to injury. In the second match upon his return, on 26 September 2010, he scored twice at Deportivo (2–0), for Almería's first win of the campaign, going on to net seven in 32 games as the team was finally relegated after a four-year stay.
side Neuchâtel Xamax
on a two-year deal.
on 21 June 2003, in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Angola
, scoring in the process.
He also represented the nation at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, going scoreless for the eventual third-placed team. After a solid club season, Uche was picked for that year
's FIFA World Cup
, in South Africa
: on 17 June, against Greece
, he opened the score from a free kick
, but the Africans soon were reduced to ten men, and lost 1–2. In the third and last game, he also scored the opener, eventually earning Nigeria's only point in the competition, in a 2–2 draw against South Korea
.
, is also a footballer. Also a forward, he too spent most of his senior career in Spain (they are not related to two other players, Uche Okechukwu and Ikechukwu Kalu
).
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n footballer who plays for Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
Known for his acrobatic goal celebrations, he can operate on occasion as an attacking midfielder or a second striker, and spent most of his professional career in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Early years
Uche's career began in Nigeria with Enyimba International and Iwuanyanwu NationaleHeartland F.C.
Heartland F.C is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated....
. In 2000–01 season, he joined RCD Espanyol B
RCD Espanyol B
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Founded in 1981, it is the reserve team of RCD Espanyol and plays in Tercera División, holding home matches at Ciutat Esportiva de Sant Adrià, with a...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, failing to receive any first-team
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
opportunities.
Uche then transferred to Wisła Kraków, playing there until 2005 (winning the Polish League three times and Polish Cup
Polish Cup
The Polish Cup in football or officially Remes Puchar Polski, is an elimination tournament for Polish football clubs, held continuously from 1950, and is the second most important national title in Polish football after the Ekstraklasa title...
twice), except for the 2004–05 season when he represented FC Girondins de Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
, on loan.
Almería
In 2005–062005–06 Segunda División
-Classification 2005–06:-Relegated to Segunda División B:* UE Lleida -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 3* Ferrol -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 1* Eibar -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 4...
, Uche moved to UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
, and was instrumental in helping the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
outfit to its first ever La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
promotion in his second year, netting eight league goals (with three in the last five matches). He made his first division debut on 26 August 2007, coming from the bench in a 3–0 win at Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
.
On 11 January 2009, profiting from the absence of first-choice Álvaro Negredo
Álvaro Negredo
Álvaro Negredo Sánchez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Sevilla FC as a striker.Nicknamed La fiera de Vallecas , his career was associated with Real Madrid, although he could never become a part of its first-team setup, going on to represent other teams in his country.-Real Madrid:Born in...
, Uche netted both goals in a 2–2 draw at Espanyol. On 5 December, he scored the side's second goal at Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
for the 2–1, but the hosts eventually rallied back to 4–2.
In the following summer, Negredo was sold to Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
(via Real Madrid), and Uche became Almería's most important offensive reference. He finished 2009–10
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
with a career-best nine goals, namely a brace on 4 May 2010 against Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
(4–2 home win), which all but certified the club's permanence in the top level for another year.
Uche spent the first month of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
on the sidelines, due to injury. In the second match upon his return, on 26 September 2010, he scored twice at Deportivo (2–0), for Almería's first win of the campaign, going on to net seven in 32 games as the team was finally relegated after a four-year stay.
Neuchâtel
On 4 August 2011, Uche joined Swiss Super LeagueSwiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
side Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
on a two-year deal.
International career
Uche made his debut for the Nigeria national football teamNigeria 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...
on 21 June 2003, in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Angola
Angola national football team
The Angola national football team, nicknamed Palancas Negras , is the national team of Angola and is controlled by the Federação Angolana de Futebol. Angola reached 45th in the FIFA Rankings in July 2002...
, scoring in the process.
He also represented the nation at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, going scoreless for the eventual third-placed team. After a solid club season, Uche was picked for that year
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
's FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
: on 17 June, against Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
, he opened the score from a free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
, but the Africans soon were reduced to ten men, and lost 1–2. In the third and last game, he also scored the opener, eventually earning Nigeria's only point in the competition, in a 2–2 draw against South Korea
Korea Republic national football team
The Korea Republic national football team represents Korea Republic in international football and is controlled by the Korea Football Association. Korea Republic is the most successful Asian football team in the history of the FIFA World Cup having participated in eight World Cup tournaments,...
.
International goals
Update : 21 November 2011| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 21 June 2003 | Benin City Benin City Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos... , Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in... |
|
|
2004 African Nations Cup qualifying 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... |
|
| 2. | 27 May 2008 | Graz Graz The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students... , Austria Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
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Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
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| 3. | 17 June 2010 | Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
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2010 World Cup 2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010... |
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| 4. | 22 June 2010 | Durban Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
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2010 World Cup 2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010... |
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| 5. | 15 November 2011 | Kaduna Kaduna Kaduna is the state capital of Kaduna State in north-central Nigeria. The city, located on the Kaduna River, is a trade center and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas with its rail and road junction. The population of Kaduna is at 760,084 as of the 2006 Nigerian census... , Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in... |
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Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
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Personal
Uche's younger brother, Ikechukwu UcheIkechukwu Uche
Ikechukwu Uche is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Granada CF on loan from Villarreal CF, as a striker.He spent most of his professional career in Spain, having arrived in the country before the age of 20.-Early years:...
, is also a footballer. Also a forward, he too spent most of his senior career in Spain (they are not related to two other players, Uche Okechukwu and Ikechukwu Kalu
Ikechukwu Kalu
Ikechukwu Kalu is a Nigerian football striker who plays for Chiasso. His name, Ikechukwu, means "Power of God".-Football career:...
).