Blessing Kaku (born 5 March 1978) is a former Nigerian international football player, who was a member of the national squad at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He spent most of his time in Israel playing for multiple clubs (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, F.C. Ashdod, Maccabi Petah Tikva). He also played for Cyprus-based club Enosis Neon Paralimni and Belgian side K.R.C. Genk. He also played in England for Bolton Wanderers, and Derby County but failed to make an impact in his short spells with both of the English clubs.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Blessing Kaku | ||
| Date of birth | 5 March 1978 | ||
| Place of birth | Ughelli, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994 | Steel Pioneers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1996–1997 | Sharks F.C. | 0 | (0) |
| 1997–1998 | SV Braunau | 0 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | RWD Molenbeek | 28 | (0) |
| 1999–2000 | KRC Harelbeke | 26 | (5) |
| 2000–2002 | K.R.C. Genk | 20 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | Hapoel Be'er-Sheva | 42 | (11) |
| 2003–2004 | F.C. Ashdod | 19 | (4) |
| 2004 | Bolton Wanderers | 1 | (0) |
| 2005 | Derby County | 4 | (0) |
| 2005 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 8 | (1) |
| 2006 | F.C. Ashdod | 18 | (3) |
| 2006–2008 | Maccabi Petah Tikva | 58 | (4) |
| 2008–2009 | Enosis Neon Paralimni | 11 | (1) |
| Total | 235 | (29) | |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2000–2004 | Nigeria | 4 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 October 2008 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 31 August 2006 | |||
Transfer Controversy
His transfer from F.C. Ashdod to Bolton Wanderers in August 2004 is mentioned in the Stevens inquiry report in June 2007, concerns were raised because of the apparent conflict of interest between agent Craig Allardyce and his father Sam Allardyce (Bolton manager at the time) and the club itself.[1]
External links
- Blessing Kaku at National-Football-Teams.com