Joseph Akpala
 |
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph Eneojo Akpala | ||
| Date of birth | 24 August 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Jos, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
|
Current team
|
K.V. Oostende | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2002 | Pepsi Football Academy | ||
| 2003–2005 | Bendel United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2006 | Bendel Insurance | 19 | (13) |
| 2006–2008 | Charleroi | 61 | (25) |
| 2008–2012 | Club Brugge | 130 | (44) |
| 2012–2014 | Werder Bremen | 21 | (1) |
| 2013–2014 | → Karabükspor (loan) | 11 | (4) |
| 2014–2015 | Karabükspor | 25 | (4) |
| 2015– | K.V. Oostende | 30 | (7) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2008– | Nigeria | 9 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:25, 14 November 2015 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:29, 23 June 2013 (UTC) |
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Joseph Eneojo Akpala (born 24 August 1986 in Jos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian footballer. He currently plays for Belgian side K.V. Oostende.
Akpala is a product of the Pepsi Football Academy in Lagos. His first professional contract came in April 2003 with Bendel United Football Club, a Division One club in Benin City. He later joined Bendel Insurance FC, Benin City in the Premier Division of the Nigerian Professional League, in February 2005. He was to finish as joint top scorer with 13 goals in 19 games.
Subsequently, Akpala was signed by the Royal Charleroi S.C. of Belgian Jupiler Pro League in January 2006. He wore the number 27 jersey. He had a very successful campaign in 2007–08 as he topped the scorers chart with 18 goals. On 18 July 2008, Akpala joined Club Brugge signing a contract until 2013.
On 22 August 2012, German Werder Bremen signed Akpala after facing competition from West Ham United and Celtic. On 19 August 2013, Akpala began a week-long trial with English Championship side Reading.
On 3 September 2013, Akpala signed for Turkish Karabükspor on a season loan. In 2014 the deal was made permanent and he left Bremen for good. However, only after another year, in July 2015, he returned to Belgium, signing for K.V. Oostende on a three-year-contract.
He made his debut for Nigeria against South Africa on 6 September 2008. In June 2009, Akpala scored his first goal for Nigeria in a 1–0 away win against France in Saint-Étienne.
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