Mutiu Adepoju (born December 22, 1970 in Ibadan) is a former Nigerian footballer, who played mostly as an attacking midfielder.

Nicknamed "The Headmaster", he played most of his career in Spain, and represented his country in three FIFA World Cups.

[edit] Club career

Adepoju (also called by his first name in Spain) left Nigeria in 1989 to join Real Madrid, but never made it past its B side. His first professional season was impressive, as he netted 11 league goals to help Racing de Santander return to the topflight, and he continue to feature and score regularly for the Cantabrians in the next three seasons.

Mutiu left for Real Sociedad, a larger club, in 1996-97 but, after a solid first campaign, struggled mightily to hold down a regular place with the Basque team. In 2001-02, he represented Saudia Arabia's Al-Ittihad (Jeddah), but quickly returned to Spain, playing an unimpressive season with second level side UD Salamanca.

After two more weak years, in Turkey and Cyprus, Adepoju retired in 2006, in Spain's lower leagues.

Mutiu Adepoju as a player for the Real Madrid veterans during a charity match in Poland.

[edit] International career

Mutiu was a member of the Nigerian team that played in the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship. His brace against the USA in the semifinals ensured a final against star-studded Portugal, in a 0-2 defeat.

He went on to collect 54 international full caps, with five goals. He made his debut against Togo in August 1990, but his breakthrough at international level came during the 1992 African Nations Cup, and he helped his nation win the next continental edition.

Adepoju was part of the squads for the World Cups in 1994, 1998 - scoring in a 3-2 win against Spain - and 2002 (although he did not play in the latter tournament).

[edit] Coaching Career

He subsequently returned to his first team, Shooting Stars FC, as chief administrator.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Nigerian Players profile
• BDFutbol profile

v • d • e Nigeria squad – 1994 FIFA World Cup 1 Rufai • 2 Eguavoen • 3 Iroha • 4 Keshi • 5 Okechukwu • 6 Nwanu • 7 George • 8 Oliha • 9 Yekini • 10 Okocha • 11 Amuneke • 12 Siasia • 13 Ezeugo • 14 Amokachi • 15 Oliseh • 16 Agu • 17 Ikpeba • 18 Ekoku • 19 Emenalo • 20 Okafor • 21 Adepoju • 22 Agbonavbare • Coach: Westerhof

v • d • e Nigeria squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Rufai • 2 Oparaku • 3 Babayaro • 4 Kanu • 5 Uche • 6 West • 7 Finidi • 8 Adepoju • 9 Yekini • 10 Okocha • 11 Lawal • 12 W. Okpara • 13 Babangida • 14 Amokachi • 15 Oliseh • 16 Okafor • 17 Eguavoen • 18 Oruma • 19 Iroha • 20 Ikpeba • 21 G. Okpara • 22 Baruwa • Coach: Milutinović

v • d • e Nigeria squad – 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 Shorunmu • 2 Yobo • 3 Babayaro • 4 Kanu • 5 Okoronkwo • 6 West • 7 Ikedia • 8 Adepoju • 9 Ogbeche • 10 Okocha • 11 Lawal • 12 Ejide • 13 Afolabi • 14 Udeze • 15 Justice • 16 Sodje • 17 Aghahowa • 18 Akwuegbu • 19 Ejiofor • 20 Obiorah • 21 Utaka • 22 Enyeama • 23 Opabunmi • Coach: Onigbinde

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