Daniel Amokachi

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24 Feb 2024

Daniel Amokachi

Daniel Owefin Amokachi, born 30 December 1972, is a Nigerian football tactician and former professional athlete.

During his active career, he served as a striker and gained prominence in the Premier League while representing Everton. Notably, he contributed to Everton's triumph in the 1995 FA Cup. Amokachi also showcased his skills in top-tier football in Belgium and Turkey, enjoying extended stints with Club Brugge and Beşiktaş. In 1992, during his time with Brugge, he netted the club's inaugural goal in the UEFA Champions League. Additionally, he had brief tenures with Ranchers Bees, Colorado Rapids, and Nasarawa United.

On the international stage, Amokachi earned 44 caps for Nigeria, finding the net 13 times. His tenure in international football witnessed victories in the African Cup of Nations in 1994 and a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. He was a pivotal member of Nigeria's squads for the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Post-retirement, Amokachi transitioned to coaching, assuming managerial roles at Nasarawa United, Enyimba, Ifeanyi Ubah, and JS Hercules. Furthermore, he served two separate stints as the assistant coach of Nigeria, in addition to steering the national team on an interim basis from 2014 to 2015.

Amokachi, known by the moniker "The Bull," was first spotted during his stint with Ranchers Bees by Nigerian national team coach Clemens Westerhof. Westerhof, impressed by the young talent, included him in the 1990 African Nations Cup squad. Subsequently, Amokachi made a move to Belgium, joining Club Brugge. He etched his name in history by becoming the inaugural scorer in the newly formatted Champions League, securing a 1–0 victory in the group stage against CSKA Moscow.

His stellar performances in Belgium and the 1994 World Cup drew the attention of Everton. Manager Mike Walker successfully signed Amokachi for a transfer fee of £3 million ($4.7 million). His time at Everton reached its pinnacle in 1995 when he played a pivotal role in the FA Cup triumph, scoring two crucial goals in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur. Notably, during the semi-final, he took the initiative to substitute himself into the match while Paul Rideout was receiving treatment.

Remaining with Everton until the conclusion of the 1995–96 season, Amokachi then moved to Beşiktaş in Turkey for a transfer fee of £1.75 million. Despite the expectations, he struggled to secure a regular spot in Everton's first team, primarily due to the established duo of Rideout and Duncan Ferguson as the main strikers. However, he did fill in for Ferguson during the latter's six-week absence due to imprisonment in 1995.

Following his departure from Beşiktaş in 1999, Amokachi's playing career encountered setbacks. Attempts with 1860 Munich and Tranmere Rovers were thwarted due to failed medical tests. He briefly trained with US Créteil in the French second division, but injuries disrupted a potential deal. A stint with the Colorado Rapids in the American MLS in 2002 was cut short as he was deemed unfit before playing a single match. An endeavor in the United Arab Emirates also faced rejection due to his medical condition, effectively signaling the conclusion of his playing career.

Amokachi boasts a remarkable international career, representing Nigeria in numerous matches and playing crucial roles in major tournaments. He was a key member of the squad that competed in both the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Notably, his contributions played a pivotal role in Nigeria's victory in the 1994 African Nations Cup.

In addition to his success on the continental stage, Amokachi played a crucial part in Nigeria's Olympic triumph in 1996. His noteworthy moment came in the final against Argentina, where he found the back of the net, contributing to the team's gold medal achievement.
However, his journey faced a setback just ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup when he sustained an injury. Despite the challenge, he managed to participate in one match during the tournament. Unfortunately, ongoing knee problems hampered his performance and became a significant obstacle in the later stages of his international career.

Amokachi has had a diverse career in football management, beginning with his tenure at Nigerian clubs Nasarawa United and Enyimba Aba. His managerial journey took an early turn in April 2007 when he decided to step down from his role as the assistant coach of the Nigeria national team.

However, in a turn of events, Amokachi returned to the national team scene on 10 April 2008. He was re-appointed as the assistant coach for Nigeria's Super Eagles, initially working alongside Shuaibu Amodu and later serving as the assistant to Stephen Keshi.
In 2015, Amokachi took the helm at Ifeanyi Ubah but resigned from the position just five weeks into his tenure. Subsequently, in January 2016, he assumed the managerial role at JS Hercules.

On 4 February 2020, Amokachi received a distinct honor when he was appointed as Nigeria’s football ambassador by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). This recognition marked a significant moment in his continued contribution to Nigerian football beyond coaching.

CLUBS

Club Brugge (Belgium): Amokachi played for Club Brugge in Belgium from 1990 to 1994. His performances with the club contributed to their success during that period.
Everton (England): Amokachi joined Everton in the English Premier League in 1994. He is perhaps best known for his time with Everton, where he gained popularity among the fans.
Beşiktaş (Turkey): After leaving Everton, Amokachi moved to Beşiktaş in Turkey, where he continued his football career.
Trabzonspor (Turkey): Amokachi also had a stint with Trabzonspor in Turkey during his playing career.

These are some of the notable clubs where Daniel Amokachi played as a footballer. It's worth noting that his career also included spells in other clubs and countries, and after retiring as a player, he transitioned to a career in coaching and management.