Login
Login

Innocent Emeghara

{{Short description|Swiss footballer (born 1989)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Innocent Emeghara

| image = Innocent Emeghara - Switzerland vs. Argentina, 29th February 2012.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Emeghara with Switzerland in 2012

| fullname = Innocent Nkasiobi Emeghara

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|5|27|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria

| height = {{height|m=1.72}}

| position = Striker

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2002–2003 | youthclubs1 = FC Töss 1906

| youthyears2 = 2003–2006 | youthclubs2 = Winterthur

| years1 = 2006–2009 | clubs1 = Zürich II | caps1 = 47 | goals1 = 16

| years2 = 2009–2010 | clubs2 = Winterthur | caps2 = 28 | goals2 = 17

| years3 = 2010–2011 | clubs3 = Grasshoppers | caps3 = 40 | goals3 = 14

| years4 = 2011–2013 | clubs4 = Lorient | caps4 = 28 | goals4 = 5

| years5 = 2013–2014 | clubs5 = Siena | caps5 = 17 | goals5 = 7

| years6 = 2013–2014 | clubs6 = → Livorno (loan) | caps6 = 30 | goals6 = 4

| years7 = 2014–2015 | clubs7 = Qarabağ | caps7 = 8 | goals7 = 5

| years8 = 2015–2016 | clubs8 = San Jose Earthquakes | caps8 = 13 | goals8 = 1

| years9 = 2017–2018 | clubs9 = Ermis | caps9 = 28 | goals9 = 9

| years10 = 2018–2019 | clubs10 = Qarabağ | caps10 = 11 | goals10 = 5

| years11 = 2019–2020 | clubs11 = Fatih Karagümrük | caps11 = 31 | goals11 = 7

| years12 = 2020–2021 | clubs12 = FC Winterthur | caps12 = 15 | goals12 = 1

| totalcaps = | totalgoals =

| nationalyears1 = 2011 | nationalteam1 = Switzerland U21 | nationalcaps1 = 8 | nationalgoals1 = 5

| nationalyears2 = 2012 | nationalteam2 = Switzerland Olympic | nationalcaps2 = 4 | nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 2011–2013 | nationalteam3 = Switzerland | nationalcaps3 = 9 | nationalgoals3 = 0

| club-update = 16 March 2021

| nationalteam-update = 23 March 2013

}}

Innocent Nkasiobi Emeghara (born 27 May 1989) is a retired Swiss professional footballer who played most commonly as a striker.

Club career

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, his mother moved to Switzerland when Emeghara was 11, and joined with them two years later. He started playing football as a means to "cope with the language barrier and cold temperatures".{{cite news|url=http://archives.tdg.ch/innocent-emeghara-coupable-doue-2011-06-20|title=Innocent Emeghara, coupable d'être très doué|trans-title=Innocent Emeghara, guilty of being very gifted|newspaper=Tribune de Genève|language=fr|date=20 June 2011|access-date=3 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407065358/http://archives.tdg.ch/innocent-emeghara-coupable-doue-2011-06-20|archive-date=7 April 2014|url-status=dead}} He began his senior career with FC Zürich's reserves aged only 17, going on to represent FC Winterthur and Grasshopper Club Zürich; on 20 August 2011, whilst at the service of the latter, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–3 away win against Servette FC, which meant he led the Super League's scoring charts at five in only six games.{{cite web|url=http://www.rts.ch/sport/football/suisse/super-league/3342445-xamax-marque-enfin-et-bat-zurich-servette-perd.html|title=Xamax marque enfin et bat Zurich. Servette perd|trans-title=Xamax score at last and beat Zurich. Servette lose|publisher=Radio Télévision Suisse|language=fr|date=20 August 2011|access-date=3 April 2014}}

On 31 August 2011, Emeghara was sold to FC Lorient in France. He made his debut in Ligue 1 on 10 September, coming on as a substitute for Mathias Autret in a 1–1 draw at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and netting the equalizer two minutes from time.{{cite news|url=http://sport24.lefigaro.fr/football/ligue-1/Homes-Clubs/sochaux/actualites/sochaux-prive-de-reussite-501234|title=Sochaux privé de réussite|trans-title=Sochaux deprived of success|newspaper=Le Figaro|language=fr|date=10 September 2011|access-date=3 April 2014}} He scored four more league goals until the end of his first season, adding two in the Coupe de la Ligue.

In January 2013, Emeghara moved teams and countries again, joining Italian side A.C. Siena.{{cite web|url=http://www.acsiena.it/2013/01/25/agra-ed-emeghara-in-bianconerodepositati-i-contratti/|title=Agra ed Emeghara in bianconero, depositati i contratti|trans-title=Agra and Emeghara in white-and-blue, contracts deposited|publisher=A.C. Siena|language=it|date=25 January 2013|access-date=18 July 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130702143346/http://www.acsiena.it/2013/01/25/agra-ed-emeghara-in-bianconerodepositati-i-contratti/|archive-date=2 July 2013|url-status=dead}} He scored four goals in as many matches to kickstart his Serie A career, including a brace in a 3–0 home success over S.S. Lazio on 18 February;{{cite web|url=http://www.rts.ch/sport/football/international/4671198-emeghara-serial-buteur-face-a-la-lazio.html|title=Emeghara, "serial buteur" face à la Lazio|trans-title=Emeghara, "serial scorer" against Lazio|publisher=Radio Télévision Suisse|language=fr|date=18 February 2013|access-date=3 April 2014}} his team, however, finally suffered relegation after ranking second from bottom.

For the 2013–2014 campaign, Emeghara continued in Italy's top flight, being loaned to A.S. Livorno Calcio.{{cite web|url=http://www.acsiena.it/2013/08/27/emeghara-ceduto-al-livorno/|title=Emeghara ceduto al Livorno|trans-title=Emeghara loaned to Livorno|publisher=A.C. Siena|language=it|date=27 August 2013|access-date=18 July 2014|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130828134756/http://www.acsiena.it/2013/08/27/emeghara-ceduto-al-livorno/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.football-italia.net/38843/official-livorno-sign-emeghara|title=Official: Livorno sign Emeghara|publisher=Football Italia|date=27 August 2013|access-date=15 September 2013}} On 31 March 2014, he contributed with one goal to help the hosts come from behind to tie it 2–2 with Inter Milan.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/377006/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Inter let lead slip in Livorno|publisher=ESPN FC|date=31 March 2014|access-date=3 April 2014}}

In July 2014, Emeghara became a free agent after Siena went into liquidation.{{cite news|url=http://www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk/West-Ham-close-signing-contract-Swiss/story-22931760-detail/story.html?|title=West Ham close to signing out-of-contract Swiss international|newspaper=Brentwood Gazette|date=16 September 2014|access-date=17 September 2014}}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On 11 October he signed a three-year contract with Azerbaijan Premier League side FK Qarabağ,{{cite web|url=http://www.qarabagh.com/1987/index.php?name=newsread&type=&news_id=11115&lang=1|title=Emeghara rəsmən 'Qarabağ'da|trans-title=Emeghara joins Qarabağ|publisher=FK Qarabağ|language=az|date=11 October 2014|access-date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019171200/http://www.qarabagh.com/1987/index.php?name=newsread&type=&news_id=11115&lang=1|archive-date=19 October 2014|url-status=dead}} but left on 5 January of the following year and began training with Winterthur,{{cite web|url=http://www.fcwinterthur.ch/index.php?id=20129&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=2069&cHash=a3680ee5a52b844076966fcc6b33677a|title=Medienberichte & Klubnews zur Rückrunde|trans-title=Media reports and club news for second part of season|publisher=FC Winterthur|language=de|date=6 January 2015|access-date=6 January 2015}} before going on trial with HSV Hamburg the following week.{{cite web|url=http://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/germany-bundesliga/436459-innocent-emeghara-on-trial-at-hamburg.html|title=Innocent Emeghara on trial at Hamburg|publisher=Vavel|date=13 January 2015|access-date=16 January 2015}}

Late into January 2015, Emeghara joined the San Jose Earthquakes.{{cite web|url=http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2015/01/quakes-sign-innocent-emeghara-third-designated-player|title=Quakes sign Innocent Emeghara as third designated player|publisher=San Jose Earthquakes|date=31 January 2015|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-date=1 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201001236/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2015/01/quakes-sign-innocent-emeghara-third-designated-player|url-status=dead}} He made his debut in the Major League Soccer on 8 March, playing one minute in a 0–1 away loss against FC Dallas.{{cite web|url=https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/2015/3/7/8169355/san-jose-earthquakes-vs-fc-dallas-match-report-david-bingham-mistake-innocent-emeghara-debut|title=San Jose Earthquakes vs. FC Dallas match report: Blas Perez stoppage time goal gives Hoops 1–0 win|publisher=SB Nation|date=7 March 2015|access-date=23 August 2017}}

On 24 July 2018, Emeghara returned to Qarabağ on a two-year deal from Ermis Aradippou FC,{{cite web|url=https://qarabagh.com/az/news/qarabagimizdan-novbeti-transfer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406005129/https://qarabagh.com/az/news/qarabagimizdan-novbeti-transfer|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 April 2023|title="QARABAĞ"IMIZDAN NÖVBƏTİ TRANSFER|trans-title=Last transfer from Qarabağ|publisher=Qarabağ FK|language=az|date=24 July 2018|access-date=3 August 2018}} but was released early from his contract by mutual consent on 13 May 2019.{{cite web |title=Üç futbolçu ilə yollar ayrıldı |url=https://qarabagh.com/az/news/uec-futbolcu-ile-yollar-ayrildi/11583 |website=qarabagh.com/ |publisher=Qarabağ fk |access-date=13 May 2019 |language=az |date=13 May 2019}}

In October 2020, after he trained already three weeks with the club, Emeghara signed a two-year contract at his home-based club FC Winterthur, where he launched his career back in 2010.{{cite web|url=https://fcwinterthur.ch/news/fcw-verpflichtet-innocent-emeghara/|title=FCW verpflichtet Innocent Emeghara|publisher=FC Winterthur|date=2020-10-05|access-date=2020-10-06|language=de-CH|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202013711/https://fcwinterthur.ch/news/fcw-verpflichtet-innocent-emeghara/|url-status=dead}} His contract with Winterthur was terminated by the club in July 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.landbote.ch/innocent-emeghara-verlaesst-den-fc-winterthur-378474939773|title=Vertrag vorzeitig aufgelöst – Innocent Emeghara verlässt den FC Winterthur|website=Der Landbote|date=26 July 2021 }} He consequently retired from professional football.

International career

Emeghara opted to represent Switzerland internationally, and he made his debut on 4 June 2011 by playing one minute in a 2–2 draw in England for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7ced81512a-88cc57ef6a1b-1000--england-fight-back-to-deny-switzerland/|title=England fight back to deny Switzerland|publisher=UEFA|date=4 June 2011|access-date=3 April 2014}}

In that same year, he helped the under-21 team finish second at the 2011 UEFA European Championship, scoring in the 2–0 group stage win against Iceland.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0deb0607035f-634d18d5253e-1000--swiss-surge-continues-with-defeat-of-iceland/|title=Swiss surge continues with defeat of Iceland|publisher=UEFA|date=14 June 2011|access-date=23 August 2017}} He represented the country at the 2012 Summer Olympics, netting in the 1–2 group phase defeat by South Korea.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/em/innocent-emeghara-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418062514/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/em/innocent-emeghara-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2020|title=Innocent Emeghara|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=10 March 2018}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 11 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/innocent-emeghara/85699/|title=I.Emeghara|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=2 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/innocent-emeghara|title=Innocent Emeghara|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=2 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/joueur/emeghara-innocent-nkasiobi|title=Innocent EMEGHARA|publisher=Ligue 1|access-date=2 August 2018 |language=fr}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Continental

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="4"|Zürich II

|2006–07

|rowspan="3"|Swiss 1. Liga

|6

2colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–62
2007–08

|15

5colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–155
2008–09

|26

9colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–269
colspan="2"|Total

!47

16------4716
Winterthur

|2009–10

|Swiss Challenge League

|28

1735colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–3122
rowspan="3"|Grasshoppers

|2010–11

|rowspan="2"|Swiss Super League

|33

941colspan="2"|–2{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}0colspan="2"|–3910
2011–12

|7

500colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–75
colspan="2"|Total

!40

1441--20--4615
rowspan="3"|Lorient

|2011–12

|rowspan="2"|Ligue 1

|27

51032colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–317
2012–13

|1

00000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–10
colspan="2"|Total

!28

51032----327
rowspan="3"|Siena

|2012–13

|Serie A

|17

700colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–177
2013–14

|Serie B

|0

000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–00
colspan="2"|Total

!17

700------177
Livorno (loan)

|2013–14

|Serie A

|30

400colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–304
Qarabağ

|2014–15

|Azerbaijan Premier League

|7

411colspan="2"|–000085
rowspan="3"|San Jose Earthquakes

|2015

|rowspan="2"|Major League Soccer

|7

100colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–71
2016

|6

010colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–70
colspan="2"|Total

!13

110------141
Ermis

|2017–18

|Cypriot First Division

|28

920colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–309
Qarabağ

|2018–19

|Azerbaijan Premier League

|11

500colspan="2"|–7{{efn|Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League}}0colspan="2"|–185
Fatih Karagümrük

|2019–20

|TFF First League

|31

710colspan="2"|–colspan="2" |–colspan="2" |–327
Winterthur

|2020–21

|Swiss Challenge League

|15

100colspan="2"|–colspan="2" |–colspan="2" |–151
colspan="3"|Career total

!295

9013732900032099

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|23 March 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=27534|title=Innocent Emeghara|publisher=European Football|access-date=13 October 2015}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
colspan=3|Switzerland
YearAppsGoals
201150
201230
201310
Total||9||0

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

  • {{NFT player|pid=43460}}
  • {{FIFA player|356400}}
  • {{Soccerway|innocent-emeghara/85699}}

{{Switzerland men's football squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Emeghara, Innocent}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:Nigerian emigrants to Switzerland

Category:Footballers from Lagos

Category:Swiss men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Swiss Super League players

Category:Swiss Challenge League players

Category:FC Zürich players

Category:FC Winterthur players

Category:Grasshopper Club Zurich players

Category:FC Lorient players

Category:Siena FC SSD players

Category:US Livorno 1915 players

Category:Qarabağ FK players

Category:San Jose Earthquakes players

Category:Ermis Aradippou FC players

Category:Fatih Karagümrük S.K. footballers

Category:Ligue 1 players

Category:Serie A players

Category:Azerbaijan Premier League players

Category:Major League Soccer players

Category:Designated Players (MLS)

Category:Cypriot First Division players

Category:Süper Lig players

Category:Switzerland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Switzerland men's international footballers

Category:Footballers at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic footballers for Switzerland

Category:Swiss expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Azerbaijan

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Cyprus

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey

Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in France

Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in Italy

Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in Azerbaijan

Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in the United States

Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus

Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in Turkey

Category:21st-century Swiss sportsmen