Ikechukwu Uche Explained

Ikechukwu Uche
Upright:0.9
Birth Date:5 January 1984
Birth Place:Aba, Nigeria
Height:1.71 m
Position:Striker
Youthclubs1:Amanze United
Youthyears2:2000–2001
Youthclubs2:Iwuanyanwo Nationale
Years1:2002–2003
Caps1:28
Goals1:2
Years2:2003–2007
Caps2:133
Goals2:50
Years3:2007–2009
Caps3:55
Goals3:11
Years4:2009–2011
Caps4:18
Goals4:1
Years5:2011–2015
Caps5:85
Goals5:33
Years6:2011–2012
Clubs6:Granada (loan)
Caps6:34
Goals6:3
Years7:2015–2016
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Years8:2016
Clubs8:Málaga (loan)
Caps8:3
Goals8:0
Years9:2016–2019
Caps9:75
Goals9:21
Nationalyears1:2007–2014
Nationalcaps1:46
Nationalgoals1:19
Club-Update:9 June 2019

Ikechukwu Uche (born 5 January 1984) is a former Nigerian professional footballer who played as a striker.

Known for his acrobatic goal celebrations,[1] he spent most of his professional career in Spain, having arrived in the country before the age of 20. He amassed La Liga totals of 194 matches and 42 goals over nine seasons, representing in the competition Recreativo, Getafe, Zaragoza, Villarreal, Granada and Málaga.

Uche appeared for Nigeria in two Africa Cup of Nations.

Club career

Early years

Born in Aba, Abia, Uche's career began in his country with Amanze United and Iwuanyanwu Nationale. Aged just 18, he moved to Racing de Ferrol in the Spanish second division, appearing in 24 games in his second season, which ended in relegation for the Galician team.

Uche then joined another club in the country's second level, Recreativo de Huelva, for a fee of US$300,000, and scored 12 goals in his first year, becoming the league's top scorer in the 2005–06 campaign at 20 in just 28 appearances (with five braces), as the Andalusians returned – as champions – to La Liga after a three-year absence.

In his first top flight season, Uche scored on eight occasions. Notably, he netted in three consecutive matches in November 2006 (with wins at RC Celta de Vigo and against CA Osasuna),[2] [3] [4] helping Recre finish eight.

Uche joined Madrid's Getafe CF for 2007–08, mainly being used as a substitute. On 29 November 2008, also from the bench, he scored in a 3–1 home victory over Real Madrid.[5]

Zaragoza

Real Zaragoza, recently returned to the top flight, agreed terms to sign Uche in July 2009, subject to medical.[6] He was presented officially on the 22nd, and signed a four-year contract;[7] in only his second match, a 1–4 loss at Sevilla FC, he suffered a severe knee injury, going on to miss seven months.[8]

Uche recovered fully for Zaragoza's 2010–11 pre-season. However, he soon suffered another knee injury, being ruled out for another six months;[9] his return to action took place on 19 February 2011 as he played 20 minutes in a 0–1 home defeat against Atlético Madrid, hitting David de Gea's bar in the dying minutes of the game after an individual effort.[10]

On 2 March 2011, Uche made his first start of the season, at home against Athletic Bilbao. On the 55th minute, he scored the final 2–1 for the Aragonese – his first goal since May 2009 – and cried profusely as he celebrated.[11]

Villarreal

In the last day of the 2011 summer transfer window, Uche signed with Villarreal CF, being immediately loaned out to Granada CF. On 17 September, he scored the game's only goal against the team that held his rights, in a home fixture.[12]

Subsequently, returned to the Yellow Submarine, Uche led his team in scoring as it returned to the top division in 2013. Highlights included braces in home wins over CD Mirandés (2–0),[13] Sporting de Gijón (2–1),[14] Girona FC (4–1)[15] and at Racing de Santander (3–0).[16] On 6 January 2014, back in the top tier, he scored his first hat-trick as a professional to help to a 5–2 away rout of Rayo Vallecano.[17]

Later years

On 20 June 2015, Uche signed with Mexican side Tigres UANL for €3.5 million on a three-year contract.[18] On 2 February of the following year he returned to Spain, being loaned to Málaga CF.[19]

On 10 August 2016, Uche agreed to a one-year deal with Gimnàstic de Tarragona in the Spanish second division.[20] Roughly one year later, he extended his contract until 2019.[21]

International career

Uche made his debut for Nigeria in 2007. He was part of the squad that competed in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, helping the Super Eagles to the quarter-finals.

Uche was called up to the 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations,[22] contributing with four scoreless appearances to the eventual champions.[23]

Personal life

Uche's older brother, Kalu Uche, was 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);[1] his name, Ikechukwu, meant "God's Power" in Igbo.[24]

Uche made a cameo appearance in the music video for Touchin Body, by J. Martins and DJ Arafat.[25]

Career statistics

Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Uche goal.

List of international goals scored by Ikechukwu Uche[26]
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 8 September 2007 Warri Township, Warri, Nigeria 2–0 2–0 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2 9 January 2008 MPFS Marbella, Estepona, Spain 1–0 2–0 Friendly
3 1 June 2008 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria 1–0 2–0 2010 World Cup qualification
4 21 June 2008 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria 2–0 2–0 2010 World Cup qualification
5 6 September 2008 Telkom Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 1–0 1–0 2010 World Cup qualification
6 7 June 2009 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria 1–0 3–0 2010 World Cup qualification
7 27 March 2011 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria 3–0 4–0 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification
8 4–0
9 29 March 2011 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria 3–0 3–0 Friendly
10 1 June 2011 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria 1–0 4–1 Friendly
11 3–0
12 5 June 2011 Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1–0 2–2 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification
13 8 October 2011 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria 2–1 2–2 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification
14 15 November 2011 Ahmadu Bello, Kaduna, Nigeria 2–0 2–0 Friendly
15 3 June 2012 U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria 1–0 1–0 2014 World Cup qualification
16 16 June 2012 U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria 1–0 2–0 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
17 8 September 2012 2–1 2–2 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
18 13 October 2012 U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria 5–0 6–1 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
19 15 November 2014 Stade Municipal (Pointe-Noire), Congo 1–0 2–0 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Recreativo

2005–06[27]

Nigeria

2013[23]

Individual

Orders

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: La liga de los hermanos Uche. The league of Uche brothers. Marca. J. C.. Galván. J.. Folqué. es. 29 September 2005. 18 November 2012. live. 7 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140607005226/http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/recreativo/es/desarrollo/563025.html.
  2. News: El Celta se estrella en casa (1–2) contra un Huelva que movió mejor el balón. Celta crash at home (1–2) against a Huelva who moved ball better. El Correo Gallego. es. 13 November 2006. 6 June 2018.
  3. News: El Recreativo suma y sigue ante un pobre Osasuna. And counting for Recreativo against poor Osasuna. 20 minutos. es. 19 November 2006. 6 June 2018.
  4. News: El Racing se impone en El Sardinero con un Zigic 'inmenso'. Racing impose at El Sardinero with 'huge' Zigic. 20 minutos. es. 26 November 2006. 6 June 2018.
  5. Web site: Miserable return for Schuster. ESPN Soccernet. 29 November 2008. 31 August 2011. dead. 2 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121102065309/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/252901?cc=5739.
  6. Web site: Principio de acuerdo por Uche. Early agreement on Uche. Real Zaragoza. es. 18 July 2009. 18 July 2009. 20 July 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090720231559/http://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/3715.
  7. Web site: Uche se presenta ante dos mil aficionados. Uche presented before 2,000 fans. Real Zaragoza. es. 22 July 2009. 27 July 2009. dead. 25 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090725115741/http://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/3758.
  8. Web site: Nigeria admit Uche blow. MTN Football. 7 October 2009. 7 April 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120806221538/http://www.mtnfootball.com/news/2009/oct/091007-nigeria-admit-uche-blow.html. 6 August 2012.
  9. News: Uche se perderá media temporada. Uche will miss half of the season. Marca. Pepe. Borque. es. 30 July 2010. 30 July 2010. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100731205737/http://www.marca.com/2010/07/30/futbol/equipos/zaragoza/1280445862.html. 31 July 2010.
  10. Web site: Aguero earns vital win for Atletico. ESPN Soccernet. 19 February 2011. 21 February 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628230717/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301876?cc=5739. 28 June 2011.
  11. Web site: Athletic Club lose 2–1 at Real Zaragoza, extend losing streak to four. EITB. 2 March 2011. 4 March 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120402202756/http://www.eitb.com/en/sports/detail/610146/athletic-club-lose-21-real-zaragoza-extend-losing-streak-four/. 2 April 2012.
  12. Web site: Uche sees off Villarreal. ESPN Soccernet. 17 September 2011. 19 September 2011. dead. 2 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121102094012/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=325238&cc=5739.
  13. Web site: Villarreal 2–0 Mirandés: Ikechukwu Uche da alas al Submarino. Villarreal 2–0 Mirandés: Ikechukwu Uche gives wings to the Submarine. Goal. es. 27 October 2012. 7 January 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140308113255/http://www.goal.com/es/news/1880/f%C3%BAtbol-espa%C3%B1ol/2012/10/27/3482946/villarreal-2-0-mirand%C3%A9s-ikechukwu-uche-da-alas-al-submarino. 8 March 2014.
  14. News: El Villarreal tumba al Sporting con un gol de Uche en el tiempo de descuento (2–1). Villarreal down Sporting with Uche goal in injury time (2–1). El Mundo. es. 10 March 2013. 7 January 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140107090334/http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2013/03/10/castellon/1362931077.html. 7 January 2014.
  15. News: 4–1. El Villarreal golea al Girona y pone la directa hacia la liga BBVA. 4–1. Villarreal rout Girona and accelerate towards BBVA league. Mundo Deportivo. es. 19 May 2013. 7 January 2014. live. 7 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140107070900/http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20130518/futbol/liga-segunda-division/cronica-4-1-girona-villarreal_54373647080.html.
  16. News: El Submarino hunde al Racing. Submarine sinks Racing. Marca. es. 17 November 2012. 7 January 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140107130530/http://www.marca.com/2012/11/17/futbol/2adivision/1353171252.html. 7 January 2014.
  17. Web site: Five-star Villarreal sink Rayo. ESPN FC. 6 January 2014. 7 January 2014. 7 January 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140107141103/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/373046/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739.
  18. Web site: Ikechukwu Uche leaves Villarreal – Signs with Tigres. Media Hub NG. 20 June 2015. 20 June 2015.
  19. Web site: Ikechukwu Uche: Nigerian striker joins Malaga on loan. BBC Sport. 2 February 2016. 25 February 2016.
  20. Web site: Ike Uche, nou fitxatge grana. Ike Uche, new grana signing. Gimnàstic Tarragona. ca. 10 August 2016. 11 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816014424/http://www.gimnasticdetarragona.cat/ike-uche-nou-fitxatge-grana/. 16 August 2017. dead.
  21. Web site: Uche serà grana fins al 2019. Uche will be grana until 2019. Gimnàstic Tarragona. ca. 15 August 2017. 15 August 2017.
  22. Web site: Nations Cup 2013: Nigeria pick six locally-based players. BBC Sport. Oluwashina. Okeleji. 10 January 2013. 10 January 2013. live. 17 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131017082725/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20970786 .
  23. Web site: Sunday Mba scored a magnificent winner as Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time.. BBC Sport. Ian. Hughes. 10 February 2013. 17 February 2016.
  24. Web site: Ikechukwu. Nigerian Name. 21 January 2008.
  25. Web site: J. Martins featuring Dj Arafat – Touchin Body (Official Video). https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/6uGLhRyCZ8c . 19 December 2021 . live. YouTube. 12 August 2013. 15 September 2013.
  26. Web site: Ikechukwu Uche – Goals in International Matches. Roberto. Mamrud. RSSSF. 15 August 2017.
  27. News: El Recreativo se proclamó campeón en el Rico Pérez. Recreativo crowned champions at the Rico Pérez. Diario AS. es. 19 June 2006. 17 February 2016.
  28. News: Goleadores de 2005–2006. 2005–2006 top scorers. El Mundo. es. 2006. 17 February 2016.
  29. News: Okeleji . Oluwashina . Oluwashina Okeleji . 13 February 2013 . Presidential reward for Super Eagles . Sport . BBC . Lagos . 19 March 2024.