Akinkunmi Amoo, a former U-17 World Cup participant hailed as Nigeria's “next big thing,” has been sentenced to a year in jail and faces deportation from Denmark. These harsh consequences stem from a sexual assault conviction.
Amoo, who previously played for FC Copenhagen, was initially found guilty last year by the Copenhagen District Court. The charges included one count of rape and two counts of indecent assault against three separate victims. The court imposed a one-year prison sentence, deportation from Denmark, and a six-year entry ban.
Amoo's defense team appealed the verdict but failed due to Amoo's inability to secure a visa and appear in court.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Akinkunmi Amoo's case and explore the stories of four other Nigerian wonderkids whose promising careers failed to bud due to ill-discipline.
Akinkunmi Amoo
Amoo's story is one of unfulfilled potential and a cautionary tale.
Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, Akinkunmi Amoo's football journey began at the Brightville Football Academy. His exceptional pace and dribbling skills earned him the nickname “Little Messi” while playing for Sidos FC.
He represented Nigeria at the 2019 U-17 African Cup of Nations and the U-17 World Cup in Brazil. These stellar performances led to a move to Swedish side Hammarby IF in 2020, where he impressed with 13 goals in 48 games.
A transfer to Danish giants F.C. Copenhagen followed in 2022, highlighting Amoo's immense potential. He even received his first call-up to the Nigerian senior national team. However, a knee injury sidelined him for ten crucial months.
Tragically, Amoo's career took a sharp turn for the worse when he was found guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to a year in jail. This conviction effectively derailed his promising career.
A brief stint with Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus offered a glimmer of hope in 2023, but his contract was terminated after just six months
Etim Esin
Remember Etim Esin? The Nigerian ex-international whose dazzling footwork captivated millions. His playing style bore an uncanny resemblance to the legendary Argentine maestro, Diego Maradona, earning him the nickname “The African Maradona.”
Esin was undoubtedly one of the most gifted footballers Nigeria produced in the early 1990s. However, his career trajectory took a series of unfortunate turns. Early on, he faced a drug case, a significant setback for a young player. This was followed by a shocking incident – he was shot by armed robbers during preparations for the U20 World Cup. These events undoubtedly disrupted his momentum.
As if that wasn't enough, allegations of a rape case surfaced during his time playing in Belgium in the early 90s. While the details of this case are unclear, it further tarnished his reputation and potentially impacted his international career.
Lukman Haruna
Part of the triumphant 2007 Golden Eaglets squad that won the U-17 World Cup, Haruna's career trajectory failed to match the promise he displayed at a young age.
His time at Monaco, though the pinnacle of his career, proved to be a fleeting high point. After leaving the French club in 2009, Haruna embarked on a journeyman career, playing across Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Despite glimpses of his talent, he never quite reached the heights expected of a World Cup winner.
Haruna eventually called time on his professional career in 2022, two years after his last stint with Armenian club Ararat Yerevan.
Kelechi Nwakali
Nwakali captained Nigeria's U-17 World Cup-winning squad in Chile, leading his team and earning the Golden Ball as the tournament's most valuable player.
The hype surrounding Nwakali reached a fever pitch when he secured a move to Arsenal in 2016. However, his time with the Gunners proved to be a disappointment. He spent his entire tenure on loan spells at various European clubs, failing to establish himself anywhere.
Nwakali joined SD Huesca in 2019. His stint there was marred by disciplinary problems, leading to a short-lived experience. A similar pattern followed at his next club, Alcorcon. Finally, in 2023, he landed at Chaves.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Nwakali's struggles with discipline continue to plague his career. Recent reports of issues at Chaves suggest that this problem persists, hindering his ability to settle and showcase his talent consistently.
Isaac Success
In 2013, Isaac Success was a rising star off the back of eye-catching performances for the Nigeria U-17 team for the World Cup.
However, Success' career has been plagued by setbacks. Injuries continued to hamper his progress, and some reports suggested he was the victim of “juju,” a form of dark magic believed to hinder his success.
In 2017, another controversy erupted. Success was arrested after a drunken night out with escorts, leading to negative press and further derailing his career. Currently, he plays for Udinese but isn't a regular starter.
