Joseph Eneojo Akpala (born 24 August 1986) is a Nigerian football manager and former professional footballer who played as a forward. Since 2022, he is the current assistant coach of Club Brugge. Akpala has been assistant coach at Kortrijk, taking over as caretaker coach for one match in September 2023, in between the dismissal of Edward Still and the appointment of Glen De Boeck, and taking the reins again following De Boeck's sacking in November 2023.
Club career 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, Bundesliga club 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.
In April 2021, he joined Romanian club Dinamo București, signing a contract until the end of the 2020–21 season.
International career Akpala made his debut for Nigeria against South Africa on 6 September 2008. In June 2009, he scored his first goal for Nigeria in a 1–0 away win against France in Saint-Étienne.
He was selected for Nigeria's squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBendel Insurance2005Nigeria Professional Football League19131913Charleroi2005–06Belgian First Division82822006–072242242007–0831183118Total61246124Club Brugge2008–09Belgian First Division32150061–38162009–10Belgian Pro League257311136145122010–1118400301033172011–122713101179248222012–13300020–50Total1053941331125616757Werder Bremen2012–13Bundesliga2110000–211Kardemir Karabükspor (loan)2013–14Süper Lig1143200–146Kardemir Karabükspor2014–15Süper Lig2546120–335KV Oostende2015–16Belgian Pro League26510–923672016–17Belgian First Division A9130–932142017–18276202093389Total621260202789720Al Faisaly2018–19Saudi Pro League142142KV Oostende2019–20Belgian First Division A6110–0071Dinamo București2020–21Liga I1000––10Career total32510020437115214434129
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNigeria200830200921201010201100201200201330Total91
Score and result list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Akpala goal.
+ International goal scored by Joseph AkpalaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 2 June 2009 Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France 1–0 1–0 Friendly
Honours KV Oostende Belgian Cup: runner-up 2016–17
Individual Belgian First Division top scorer: 2007–08 (16 goals)
References
External links