Murphy Akanji

{{short description|Nigerian footballer (born 1977)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Murphy Akanji | image = | fullname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1977|12|1}} | birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria | height = | position = Goalkeeper | currentclub = | clubnumber = | years1 = 1995 | years2 = 1996 | years3 = 1997 | years4 = 1998–2001 | years5 = 2001–2008 | clubs1 = Niger Tornadoes | clubs2 = Sharks | clubs3 = Udoji United | clubs4 = Julius Berger | clubs5 = Sliema Wanderers | caps1 = ? | caps2 = ? | caps3 = 21 | caps4 = 27 | caps5 = 171 | goals1 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | goals3 = 0 | goals4 = 0 | goals5 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 1999–2002 | nationalteam1 = Nigeria | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|NGA}}}} {{MedalCompetition|Africa Cup of Nations}} {{Medal|RU|2000|}} {{Medal|3rd|2002|}} }} '''Murphy Akanji'''{{audio|LL-Q34311 (yor)-Abike25-Murphy Akanji.wav|listen}}(born 1 December 1977) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He most notably played for Sliema Wanderers in the Maltese Football League between 2001 and 2008, and represented the Nigeria national team at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002.

== Club career == Akanji joined Sliema Wanderers from Julius Berger in August 2001, and aspired to make an impression and rapidly travel to a better club in a more significant European league. He was one of the best goalkeepers in the Maltese Premier League throughout his time with the club, although he often mixed flashes of brilliance with beginners' mistakes, making consistency his main flaw.<ref name="tom1">{{cite news |last1=Azzopardi |first1=Kevin |title=Akanji eyeing great finish |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/akanji-eyeing-great-finish.149620 |access-date=27 February 2023 |work=Times of Malta |date=22 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227211447/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/akanji-eyeing-great-finish.149620 |archive-date=27 February 2023}}</ref> In both 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, Akanji won the Goalkeeper of the Year award.<ref name="tmi1">{{cite news |title=Four Birkirkara Players and coach win top football awards |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-06-08/others/four-birkirkara-players-and-coach-win-top-football-awards-92525/ |access-date=27 February 2023 |work=The Malta Independent |date=8 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227213130/https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-06-08/others/four-birkirkara-players-and-coach-win-top-football-awards-92525/ |archive-date=27 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="tom2">{{cite news |title=Bogdanovic secures double |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/bogdanovic-secures-double.14938 |access-date=27 February 2023 |work=Times of Malta |date=10 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227213256/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/bogdanovic-secures-double.14938 |archive-date=27 February 2023}}</ref>

== International career == Akanji was an international goalkeeper and has represented Nigeria at the African Nations Cup.

==Honours== '''Julius Berger''' * Nigeria Professional Football League: 2000 * Nigerian Super Cup: 2000

'''Sliema Wanderers''' * Maltese Premier League: 2002–03,<ref name="tom1" /> 2003–04,<ref>{{cite web |title=Malta 2003/04 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malt04.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207233611/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malt04.html |archive-date=7 December 2022}}</ref> 2004–05<ref>{{cite web |title=Malta 2004/05 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malt05.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127180646/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malt05.html |archive-date=27 November 2022}}</ref> * Maltese FA Trophy: 2003–04<ref>{{cite web |title=FA Trophy |url=http://www.maltafootball.com/reports/040518.shtml |website=MaltaFootball.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126033026/http://www.maltafootball.com/reports/040518.shtml |archive-date=26 November 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

'''Nigeria''' * Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2000,<ref>{{cite web |title=African Nations Cup 2000 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/00a.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203190616/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/00a.html |archive-date=3 December 2022}}</ref> third place: 2002<ref>{{cite web |title=African Nations Cup 2002 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/02a.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130105522/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/02a.html |archive-date=30 November 2022}}</ref>

'''Individual''' * Maltese Premier League Goalkeeper of the Year: 2005–06,<ref name="tmi1" /> 2006–07<ref name="tom2" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071026034328/http://www.maltafootball.com/players/murphyakanji.html Murphy Akanji] at MaltaFootball.com (archived 26 October 2007) * {{NFT player|pid=14510}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Akanji, Murphy}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Yoruba sportspeople Category:Footballers from Lagos Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Nigerian men's footballers Category:Nigeria men's international footballers Category:2000 African Cup of Nations players Category:2002 African Cup of Nations players Category:Niger Tornadoes F.C. players Category:Sharks F.C. players Category:Udoji United F.C. players Category:Bridge F.C. players Category:Sliema Wanderers F.C. players Category:Nigeria Professional Football League players Category:Maltese Premier League players Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Malta Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Malta