Kennedy Okwe Eriba (born December 21, 1990, in Jos) is a Nigerian football player who currently plays for FK Jelgava in the Latvian Higher League.

Kennedy Eriba
Personal information
Full name Kennedy Okwe Eriba
Date of birth (1990-12-21) December 21, 1990 (age 33)
Place of birth Jos, Nigeria
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
FK Jelgava
Number 22
Youth career
Mighty Jets F.C.
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2012 Wikki Tourists F.C. ? (?)
2012–2013 TPS Turku 36 (1)
2012Åbo IFK (loan) 1 (0)
2014– FK Jelgava 37 (4)
2016Stumbras (loan) 18 (2)
International career
2006–2007 Nigeria U-17 8 (1)
2008–2009 Nigeria U-20 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 March 2015
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 March 2015

Career

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Eriba began his career with Mighty Jets F.C. where he played youth football for a few years before being scouted by Wikki Tourists F.C. in the Nigeria Premier League, with whom he signed his first professional contract.[1] In August 2008 Kennedy had trials with Anderlecht of Belgian Pro League. Shortly after it was reported in the media that Eriba had signed for Anderlecht,[2] however it was later that the Belgium giants and representatives of the player had financial disagreements which led to the deal being canceled.[3] In March 2012 the attacking midfielder signed with Veikkausliiga side TPS Turku[4] and played his debut match for the club on 15 April 2012 against MYPA.[5] He played five matches for TPS, before joining Åbo IFK on a one-month loan. During the short loan spell Eriba played his only match for Åbo IFK on 9 June 2012 against Ekenäs Idrottsförening.[6] Kennedy returned to TPS and played 15 matches till November 2012.[7] In his second Veikkausliiga season for TPS Eriba played thirteen games, leaving the club at the end of the season.[8] In July 2014 Kennedy signed a one-year contract with the Latvian Higher League club FK Jelgava. He finished the season, having participated in 15 league matches and scored 2 goals as well as played at the UEFA Europa League qualification first-round against Rosenborg BK. Eriba helped FK Jelgava attain the bronze medals of the domestic championship and extended his contract for two more years in December 2014.[9]

International career

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Eriba was a member of the Nigerian under-20 squad that qualified for the African Youth Championship in Rwanda in 2009.[10] He was also listed in the squad for the African Youth Championship itself but was ruled out of competition due to an ankle injury.[11]

Honours

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TPS Turku

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  • Finnish League Cup

References

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  1. ^ "Kennedy Eriba toipuu leikkauksesta | FC TPS". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
  2. ^ "Observer: African Youth Championship Qualifier, Rabiu, Eriba Promise Sudan U-20 Team Hell". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
  3. ^ Guys who is Kennedy Eriba, he is not in Anderlecht website
  4. ^ Okaru, Eriba to keep title hopes alive | Futaa.com
  5. ^ Kennedy Eriba - Soccerway
  6. ^ ÅIFK vs. EIF 3 - 0
  7. ^ Football : Kennedy Eriba
  8. ^ FC TPS:lle jättitappio – rahaa pelaajiin todella vähän
  9. ^ Leģionāri Latka un Eriba FK Jelgava krāsas pārstāvēs arī nākamgad
  10. ^ Bosso to Unleash Chrisantus, Haruna, Rabiu On Sudan 17th sep 2008
  11. ^ Sports at random MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008
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