5 things you probably didn’t know about Turkey-based Nigerian striker, Olanrewaju Kayode
Super Eagles forward Olanrewaju Kayode is a prolific Nigerian striker who plays for Turkish Super Lig club Gençlerbirliği. He has enjoyed a career spanning several continents and clubs, including a stint at Premier League champions, Manchester City.
Kayode’s football journey began in Nigeria, where he honed his skills before making a splash on the international scene in 2010. He signed with Asec Mimosas in the Ivory Coast, a stepping stone that launched him into European football.
He also had loan spells at Austria, Switzerland, Israel, and Ukraine before he found a foothold in Turkey.
Here are, however, some things you may not have known about Kayode:
- Started his career in Ibadan
Kayode started his career with Ibadan-based club Marvelous FC, after which he moved to Ghana to join Red Bull FC. It was from Ghana that he was recommended to John Obuh, the Nigeria U17 head coach. He went for tryouts, and was picked for the World Cup squad.
- Was a member of the Nigeria U17 team of 2009
Kayode was a member of the Nigeria U17 class of 2009. He never scored or played a full match, even though he played in every single game. You may remember some of his contemporaries on that team: Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo and Ramon Azeez.
International stars who also played in the same tournament include Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, Shkodran Mustafi, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Mario Gotze, Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka, Real Betis’s Isco and Al-Hilal’s Neymar
- Participated at two further CADET championships
Kayode went on to feature in the U20 World Cups in 2011 and 2013, scoring a combined five goals, three of which came in Colombia in 2011, where he scored in consecutive group stage matches.
- Married to Barrister Dora Kayode who is also his agent
Kayode is married to his loving wife, Barrister Ezinne Dora Kayode, who is also his agent. Her main hobby is watching her hubby play football and score goals. They are happily married and have three sons together.
- Made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2017
Kayode made his debut for the Super Eagles in a 1–1 draw with Senegal on 23 March 2017.
If you didn’t know, now you know.
(Vanguard News)
