Stanley Okoro Explained

Stanley Okoro
Fullname:Stanley Osaretin Okoro
Birth Date:8 December 1992
Birth Place:Enugu, Nigeria
Position:Winger / Forward
Youthclubs1:National Grammar
Youthyears2:2005–2008
Youthclubs2:River Lane FC
Youthyears3:2008–2009
Youthclubs3:Heartland
Youthyears4:2010–2011
Youthclubs4:Almería
Years1:2009–2010
Years2:2011–2015
Caps2:50
Goals2:8
Years3:2013–2014
Clubs3:Cherno More (loan)
Caps3:19
Goals3:2
Years4:2016–2017
Years5:2017
Nationalyears1:2009
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:3
Nationalyears2:2011
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:2010–
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Pcupdate:1 December 2014
Ntupdate:5 September 2010

Stanley Osaretin Okoro (born 8 December 1992) is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a winger or forward.

Career

Born in Enugu, Okoro finished his graduation with Heartland FC, after spells with River Lane FC and National Grammar School. He made his senior debuts with the former in 2009.

On 14 April 2010, Okoro joined UD Almeria in Spain, signing a four-year contract.[1] He was initially assigned to the Juvenil squad, being promoted to the reserves in the following year.

In July 2013, Okoro moved to Bulgarian A Professional Football Group side Cherno More Varna in a season-long loan deal.[2] He played his first match as a professional on 3 August, starting in a 0–0 draw at CSKA Sofia,[3] and scored his first goal on 11 December, netting the first of a 2–0 win at Lokomotiv Sofia.[4]

On 29 May 2014, Okoro was promoted to the Andalusians' main squad for the pre-season,[5] but returned to the B-side in August. Released in the summer of 2015, he returned to his nation in 2016, signing for Abia Warriors FC.[6]

On 7 May 2017, Okoro joined fellow Nigerian Professional Football League side Plateau United FC,[7] but was released on 28 September.[8]

International career

Okoro appeared with the under-17 team at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup,[9] playing his first match in the tournament in a 3–3 draw against Germany and scoring his side's first goal through a penalty kick in the 54th minute.[10] He subsequently scored against New Zealand and Spain, and was a starter in the eventual 0–1 final loss to Switzerland.[11]

On 29 August 2010, Okoro was called up to the main squad, replacing injured Joseph Akpala for a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Madagascar.[12] He made his debut on 5 September, coming on as a second-half substitute for Michael Eneramo in a 2–0 win at the U. J. Esuene Stadium.[13]

Personal life

Okoro's older brothers, Osas and Charles, are also footballers.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nigeria: Okoro Joins Kalu in Almeria. AllAfrica. 14 April 2010. 1 June 2014.
  2. Web site: Okoro se marcha cedido al Cherno More de Bulgaria. Okoro goes on loan to Cherno More of Bulgaria. La Voz de Almería. es. 11 August 2013. 1 June 2014.
  3. Web site: ЦСКА – Черно море 0:0, мачът по минути. CSKA – Cherno More 0:0, match report. Blitz. bg. 3 August 2013. 1 June 2014.
  4. Web site: "Локомотив" (София) загуби с 0:2 от "Черно море". "Lokomotiv" (Sofia) lost 0:2 to "Cherno More". Bulgaria on Air. bg. 11 December 2013. 1 June 2014.
  5. Web site: Stanley Okoro hará la pretemporada con el primer equipo. Stanley Okoro will make the pre season with the first-team. La Voz de Almería. es. 29 May 2014. 1 June 2014.
  6. Web site: Why I signed for Abia Warriors - Stanley Okoro. Daily Post. 9 April 2016. 14 March 2018.
  7. Web site: Plateau United sign Stanley Okoro and Emmanuel Odafe. Goal.com. 7 May 2017. 14 March 2018.
  8. Web site: 'Little Messi' Stanley Okoro, 7 others fired by Plateau United. Score Nigeria. 28 September 2017. 14 March 2018.
  9. Web site: Heartland Stars Stanley Okoro And Orji Kalu Rejoin Nigeria U17 Squad in Qatar. Goal.com. 7 October 2009. 1 June 2014.
  10. Web site: Honours even in Abuja thriller. FIFA. 24 October 2009. 1 June 2014.
  11. Web site: Steely Swiss claim first crown. FIFA.com. 15 November 2009. 1 June 2014.
  12. Web site: Stanley Okoro replaces Akpala for Madagascar. All Nigeria Soccer. 29 August 2010. 1 June 2014.
  13. Web site: Super Eagles too strong for Madagascar. SuperSport. 5 September 2010. 1 June 2014.
  14. Web site: Little Messi tag suits me – Okoro. NBF Topics. 30 April 2011. 1 June 2014.