Ricky (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Richard Daddy Owubokiri, aka Ricky (born July 16, 1961 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
), is a retired Nigeria
n footballer, who played as a striker.
, then had a spell in France
, with Stade Lavallois
and FC Metz
. He played for América Football Club and Esporte Clube Vitória
, a club he would return to in 1994, in the Brazilian top division
. In January 1989, he moved to S.L. Benfica, but only appeared very rarely with the team.
Ricky played two seasons with C.F. Estrela da Amadora, also in Lisbon
, then moved north to Boavista FC, at already 30. His impact was instant, helping the side finish third in his first season, with the addition of the Portuguese Cup
, as the player netted 30 times in the league, good enough for the top scorer accolade.
Ricky retired in 1997, after one-year stints with C.F. Os Belenenses, Al-Arabi Sports Club and Al-Hilal Riyadh. For Nigeria
, he was picked for the 1992 African Cup of Nations
, but missed narrowly at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
.
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
), is a retired Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n footballer, who played as a striker.
Football career
After starting his caeer in his native country, Ricky played four seasons in BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, then had a spell in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, with Stade Lavallois
Stade Lavallois
Stade Lavallois Mayenne Football Club is a French association football club based in Laval. The club was formed on 17 July 1902 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Laval plays its home matches at the Stade Francis Le Basser located in the city and is managed by...
and FC Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
. He played for América Football Club and Esporte Clube Vitória
Esporte Clube Vitória
Esporte Clube Vitória, usually known simply as Vitória, is a Brazilian football team from Salvador in Bahia, founded on May 13, 1899.Vitória's home games are played at the club's own stadium . They play in red and black horizontal striped shirts, black shorts and black socks...
, a club he would return to in 1994, in the Brazilian top division
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
The Campeonato Brasileiro de Clubes da Série A , popularly known as the Brasileirão , is a professional football league at the top of the Brazilian football league system held annually since 1959. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates a system of promotion and relegation with the Série B...
. In January 1989, he moved to S.L. Benfica, but only appeared very rarely with the team.
Ricky played two seasons with C.F. Estrela da Amadora, also in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, then moved north to Boavista FC, at already 30. His impact was instant, helping the side finish third in his first season, with the addition of the Portuguese Cup
Taça de Portugal
The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
, as the player netted 30 times in the league, good enough for the top scorer accolade.
Ricky retired in 1997, after one-year stints with C.F. Os Belenenses, Al-Arabi Sports Club and Al-Hilal Riyadh. For Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
, he was picked for the 1992 African Cup of Nations
1992 African Cup of Nations
The 1992 African Cup of Nations was the 18th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Senegal. The field expanded to twelve teams, split into four groups of three; the top two teams in each group advanced to the quarterfinals...
, but missed narrowly at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
.