Ikechukwu Uche

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Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography

Ikechukwu Uche Template:Post-nominals (born 5 January 1984) is a Nigerian former 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

File:UEFA Euro League FC Salzburg gegen Villarreal 10.JPG
Uche (second from left) lining up for Villarreal in 2015

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] He was brought on as a substitute in the September 24, 2015 Concacaf Champions League match against Isidro Metapán, where he scored his only goal for the club to win the match and subsequently re-injuring himself. 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. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 8 September 2007 Warri Township, Warri, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Lesotho flag alias = Flag of Lesotho.svg flag alias-colonial = Unofficial Basutoland Ensign.svg flag alias-1966 = Flag of Lesotho (1966–1987).svg flag alias-1987 = Flag of Lesotho (1987-2006).svg Lesotho Air Squadron link alias-military = Lesotho Defence Force size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

2 9 January 2008 MPFS Marbella, Estepona, Spain {{ Template:Yesno alias = Sudan flag alias = Flag of Sudan.svg flag alias-1956 = Flag of Sudan (1956-1970).svg flag alias-air force = Ensign of the Sudanese Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Sudanese Air Force flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Sudan.svg link alias-naval = Sudanese Navy flag alias-army = Flag of the Sudanese Army (1956–present).png link alias-army = Sudanese Army flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Sudan.svg link alias-navy = Sudanese Navy flag alias-military = Insignia of the Sudanese Armed Forces.svg link alias-military = Sudanese Armed Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly

3 1 June 2008 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = South Africa flag alias = Flag of South Africa.svg flag alias-1795 = Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg flag alias-1801 = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-1857 = Flag of Transvaal.svg flag alias-1875 = Flag of the Natal Colony (1875–1910).svg flag alias-1876 = Flag of the Cape Colony 1876-1910.svg flag alias-1902 = Flag of Orange River Colony.svg flag alias-1910 = South Africa Flag 1910-1912.svg flag alias-1912 = Red Ensign of South Africa (1912-1951).svg flag alias-1928 = Flag of South Africa (1928–1982).svg flag alias-1982 = Flag of South Africa (1982–1994).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg flag alias-naval-1922 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-naval-1946 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1946-1951).svg flag alias-naval-1951 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1951-1952).svg flag alias-naval-1952 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1952-1981).svg flag alias-naval-1981 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1981-1994).svg flag alias-marines=Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg link alias-marines=South African Maritime Reaction Squadron link alias-naval = South African Navy flag alias-air force = Ensign of the South African Air Force.svg flag alias-air force-1940 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1940-1951.svg flag alias-air force-1951 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1951-1958.svg flag alias-air force-1958 = Ensign of the South African Air Force (1958-1967, 1970-1981).svg flag alias-air force-1967 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1967-1970.svg flag alias-air force-1981 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1981-1982.svg flag alias-air force-1982 = Ensign of the South African Air Force (1982-1994).svg flag alias-air force-1994 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1994-2003.svg link alias-air force = South African Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of the South African Army.svg flag alias-army-1951 = Flag of the South African Army (1951–1966).png flag alias-army-1966 = Flag of the South African Army (1966–1973).png flag alias-army-1973 = Flag of the South African Army (1973–1994).svg flag alias-army-1981 = Ensign of the South African Defence Force (1981-1994).svg flag alias-army-1994 = Flag of the South African Army (1994–2002).svg flag alias-army-2002 = Flag of the South African Army (2002–2003).svg link alias-army = South African Army flag alias-military = Flag of the South African National Defence Force.svg link alias-military = South African National Defence Force flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg link alias-navy = South African Navy link alias-football = South Africa national soccer team size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2010 World Cup qualification

4 21 June 2008 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Equatorial Guinea flag alias = Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg link alias-naval = Navy of Equatorial Guinea link alias-navy = Navy of Equatorial Guinea link alias-military = Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea size = name = altlink = national football team

}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2010 World Cup qualification

5 6 September 2008 Telkom Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa {{ Template:Yesno alias = South Africa flag alias = Flag of South Africa.svg flag alias-1795 = Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg flag alias-1801 = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-1857 = Flag of Transvaal.svg flag alias-1875 = Flag of the Natal Colony (1875–1910).svg flag alias-1876 = Flag of the Cape Colony 1876-1910.svg flag alias-1902 = Flag of Orange River Colony.svg flag alias-1910 = South Africa Flag 1910-1912.svg flag alias-1912 = Red Ensign of South Africa (1912-1951).svg flag alias-1928 = Flag of South Africa (1928–1982).svg flag alias-1982 = Flag of South Africa (1982–1994).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg flag alias-naval-1922 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-naval-1946 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1946-1951).svg flag alias-naval-1951 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1951-1952).svg flag alias-naval-1952 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1952-1981).svg flag alias-naval-1981 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1981-1994).svg flag alias-marines=Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg link alias-marines=South African Maritime Reaction Squadron link alias-naval = South African Navy flag alias-air force = Ensign of the South African Air Force.svg flag alias-air force-1940 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1940-1951.svg flag alias-air force-1951 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1951-1958.svg flag alias-air force-1958 = Ensign of the South African Air Force (1958-1967, 1970-1981).svg flag alias-air force-1967 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1967-1970.svg flag alias-air force-1981 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1981-1982.svg flag alias-air force-1982 = Ensign of the South African Air Force (1982-1994).svg flag alias-air force-1994 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1994-2003.svg link alias-air force = South African Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of the South African Army.svg flag alias-army-1951 = Flag of the South African Army (1951–1966).png flag alias-army-1966 = Flag of the South African Army (1966–1973).png flag alias-army-1973 = Flag of the South African Army (1973–1994).svg flag alias-army-1981 = Ensign of the South African Defence Force (1981-1994).svg flag alias-army-1994 = Flag of the South African Army (1994–2002).svg flag alias-army-2002 = Flag of the South African Army (2002–2003).svg link alias-army = South African Army flag alias-military = Flag of the South African National Defence Force.svg link alias-military = South African National Defence Force flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg link alias-navy = South African Navy link alias-football = South Africa national soccer team size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 2010 World Cup qualification

6 7 June 2009 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Kenya flag alias = Flag of Kenya.svg flag alias-colonial = Flag of Kenya (1921–1963).svg flag alias-kdf = Flag of the Kenya Defence Forces.svg flag alias-1895 = Flag of Kenya (1895–1921).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Kenya.svg link alias-naval = Kenya Navy flag alias-military=Flag of the Kenya Defence Forces.svg link alias-military=Kenya Defence Forces flag alias-navy=Presidential Colour of the Kenyan Navy.svg link alias-navy=Kenya Navy flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Kenya.svg link alias-air force= Kenya Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of the Kenyan Army.svg link alias-army = Kenya Army size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 2010 World Cup qualification

7 27 March 2011 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Ethiopia flag alias = Flag of Ethiopia.svg flag alias-1897 = Flag of Ethiopia (1897-1936; 1941-1974).svg flag alias-1975 = Flag of Ethiopia (1975–1987).svg flag alias-1975-state = Flag of Ethiopia (1975–1987) (02).svg flag alias-1987 = Flag of Ethiopia (1987-1991).svg flag alias-1991 = Flag of Ethiopia (1991-1996).svg flag alias-1996 = Flag of Ethiopia (1996-2009).svg flag alias-naval = Flag of Ethiopia (2-3).svg link alias-naval = Ethiopian Navy link alias-air force = Ethiopian Air Force flag alias-air force = Ethiopian Air Force flag.svg link alias-army = Ethiopian Army flag alias-navy = Flag of Ethiopia (1975–1987).svg link alias-navy = Ethiopian Navy flag alias-military = Flag of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (3).svg link alias-military = Ethiopian National Defense Force size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|3–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4–0 || rowspan="2"|2012 African Cup of Nations qualification

8 4–0
9 29 March 2011 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Kenya flag alias = Flag of Kenya.svg flag alias-colonial = Flag of Kenya (1921–1963).svg flag alias-kdf = Flag of the Kenya Defence Forces.svg flag alias-1895 = Flag of Kenya (1895–1921).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Kenya.svg link alias-naval = Kenya Navy flag alias-military=Flag of the Kenya Defence Forces.svg link alias-military=Kenya Defence Forces flag alias-navy=Presidential Colour of the Kenyan Navy.svg link alias-navy=Kenya Navy flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Kenya.svg link alias-air force= Kenya Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of the Kenyan Army.svg link alias-army = Kenya Army size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || Friendly

10 1 June 2011 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Argentina flag alias = Flag of Argentina.svg flag alias-alt = Flag of Argentina (civil).svg flag alias-1812 = Flag of Belgrano (1812).svg flag alias-1816 = Flag of Argentina (civil).svg flag alias-1818 = Flag of Argentina.svg flag alias-1819 = Flag of Argentina (1818).svg flag alias-1820 = Flag of Argentina.svg flag alias-1829 = Flag of Liga Federal.svg flag alias-1835 = Flag of Argentina (1840).svg flag alias-1850 = Flag of the Argentine Confederation.svg flag alias-1861 = Flag of Argentina (1818–1819, 1820–1829, 1861–2010).svg link alias-naval = Argentine Navy link alias-coast guard = Argentine Naval Prefecture flag alias-marines = Naval Jack of Argentina.svg link alias-marines = Argentine Naval Infantry Command link alias-air force = Argentine Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of Argentina (3-2).svg link alias-army = Argentine Army flag alias-navy = Flag of Argentina.svg link alias-navy = Argentine Navy empty = Argentina XV national rugby union team size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4–1 || rowspan="2"|Friendly

11 3–0
12 5 June 2011 Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia {{ Template:Yesno alias = Ethiopia flag alias = Flag of Ethiopia.svg flag alias-1897 = Flag of Ethiopia (1897-1936; 1941-1974).svg flag alias-1975 = Flag of Ethiopia (1975–1987).svg flag alias-1975-state = Flag of Ethiopia (1975–1987) (02).svg flag alias-1987 = Flag of Ethiopia (1987-1991).svg flag alias-1991 = Flag of Ethiopia (1991-1996).svg flag alias-1996 = Flag of Ethiopia (1996-2009).svg flag alias-naval = Flag of Ethiopia (2-3).svg link alias-naval = Ethiopian Navy link alias-air force = Ethiopian Air Force flag alias-air force = Ethiopian Air Force flag.svg link alias-army = Ethiopian Army flag alias-navy = Flag of Ethiopia (1975–1987).svg link alias-navy = Ethiopian Navy flag alias-military = Flag of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (3).svg link alias-military = Ethiopian National Defense Force size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–2 || 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification

13 8 October 2011 Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Guinea flag alias = Flag of Guinea.svg size = name = altlink = national football team

}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–2 || 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification

14 15 November 2011 Ahmadu Bello, Kaduna, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Zambia flag alias = Flag of Zambia.svg flag alias-1964 = Flag of Zambia (1964–1996).svg flag alias-1996 = Flag of Zambia (Pantone).svg flag alias-2000 = Flag of Zambia (WFB 2000).jpg flag alias-2004 = Flag of Zambia (WFB 2004).gif flag alias-air force=Air Force Ensign of Zambia.svg link alias-air force=Zambian Air Force link alias-army = Zambian Army size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly

15 3 June 2012 U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Namibia flag alias = Flag of Namibia.svg link alias-army = Namibian Army flag alias-army = Flag of the Namibian Army.svg link alias-naval = Namibian Navy flag alias-naval = Flag of the Namibian Navy.svg link alias-air force = Namibian Air Force flag alias-air force = Flag of the Namibian Air Force.svg link alias-navy = Namibian Navy flag alias-navy = Flag of the Namibian Navy.svg flag alias-military = Flag of the Namibian Defence Force.svg link alias-military = Namibian Defence Force flag alias-1990=Flag of Namibia (WFB 2000).svg flag alias-2004=Flag of Namibia (WFB 2004).svg size = name = variant = altlink = national football team altvar = football

}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 2014 World Cup qualification

16 16 June 2012 U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Rwanda flag alias = Flag of Rwanda.svg flag alias-1959 = Flag of Rwanda (January – September 1961).svg flag alias-Gitarama = Flag of Rwanda (January – September 1961).svg flag alias-1961 = Flag of Rwanda (1961–2001).svg flag alias-1962 = Flag of Rwanda (1961–2001).svg link alias-air force= Rwandan Air Force Rwandan Army size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

17 8 September 2012 Samuel Kanyon Doe, Monrovia, Liberia {{ Template:Yesno alias = Liberia flag alias = Flag of Liberia.svg flag alias-23px = Flag of Liberia 23px.svg size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–2 || 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

18 13 October 2012 U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Liberia flag alias = Flag of Liberia.svg flag alias-23px = Flag of Liberia 23px.svg size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align="center"|5–0 || align="center"|6–1 || 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

19 15 November 2014 Stade Municipal (Pointe-Noire), Congo {{ Template:Yesno alias = Republic of the Congo shortname alias = Congo flag alias = Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg flag alias-1970 = Flag of the People's Republic of the Congo.svg link alias-military = Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo flag alias-military =Flag of the Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo.svg link alias-air force = Congolese Air Force Congolese Army link alias-basketball = Republic of the Congo {{{mw}}} national basketball team link alias-volleyball = Republic of the Congo {{{mw}}} national volleyball team size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Recreativo

Nigeria

Individual

Orders

References

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External links

Template:Sister project

Template:Nigeria Squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations Template:Nigeria squad 2013 Africa Cup of Nations

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