Rabiu Afolabi
 |
| Personal information |
| Full name |
Rabiu Afolabi |
| Date of birth |
18 April 1980 (1980-04-18) (age 31) |
| Place of birth |
Osogbo, Nigeria |
| Height |
1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in) |
| Playing position |
Defender |
| Club information |
| Current club |
Monaco |
| Number |
4 |
| Senior career* |
| Years |
Team |
Apps† |
(Gls)† |
| 1997 |
NEPA Lagos |
|
|
| 1997–2003 |
Standard Liège |
89 |
(2) |
| 2000–2001 |
→ Napoli (loan) |
0 |
(0) |
| 2003–2005 |
Austria Wien |
60 |
(1) |
| 2005–2009 |
Sochaux |
123 |
(5) |
| 2009– 2011 |
Red Bull Salzburg |
62 |
(4) |
| 2011- |
Monaco |
3 |
(1) |
| National team‡ |
| 2000– |
Nigeria |
20 |
(1) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 May 2011.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 October 2009 |
Rabiu Afolabi (born 18 April 1980 in Osogbo, Nigeria) is a Nigerian soccer player, who plays for Ligue 2 side, Monaco.
[edit] Career
Afolabi left his home country for Belgian outfit Standard Liège after impressing at the 1997 edition of the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup. He signed for Italian Serie A side SSC Napoli ahead of the 2000-2001 season, but failed to break into the first team, and went back to Belgium before the season was over. After leaving FC Sochaux at the end of 2008-2009 season on free agent, he signed a two-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg. Afolabi headed home an important winning goal away to title rivals SK Rapid Wien in February 2010 to help keep the Red Bulls on course for the championship. Following his released from Salzburg, Afolabi was linked with German side Eintracht Frankfurt and offered to sign him but on August 31 2011, Afolabi returned to France after two years with Salzberg by joining recently relegated Monaco on a free transfer with a 2 year contract with the club. On 19 September 2011, Afolabi scored his debut in a 1-0 victory over against Arles-Avignon, giving Monaco their win in Ligue 2.[1]
[edit] Attributes
He is a strong and lanky central defender, who is good aerially and has a thunderous shot. He is also very versatile and can play as a fullback or defensive midfielder as well. Dangerous on set pieces.
[edit] International career
Afolabi played a vital role for Nigeria in the 1999 African Youth Championship, coming from defence to score the two goals against Cameroon in the semi-final. Nigeria eventually finished second in the tournament after losing 0-1 to the hosts, Ghana, in the final. Afolabi then captained the Nigerian under-20 team in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria. On 17 June 2000, he made his full international debut for Nigeria in a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone. Afolabi was part of the Nigeria squads at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
[edit] Trivia
His name, Afolabi, means "Born into wealth".[2] His nickname in Nigeria is Robocop because of his stiff movements.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Persondata |
| Name |
Afolabi, Rabiu |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
|
| Date of birth |
18 April 1980 |
| Place of birth |
Osogbo, Nigeria |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
