Abiodun Baruwa

Abiodun Baruwa (born 16 November 1974, in Abuja) is a Nigerian former footballer in goalkeeper role.

Abiodun Baruwa
Personal information
Date of birth (1974-11-16) 16 November 1974
Place of birth Abuja, Nigeria
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1992 Kano Pillars
1993–1994 Iwuanyanwu Nationale
1995–1997 Shooting Stars FC
1997–1998 FC Sion 1 (0)
1998–2001 Sturm Graz 1 (0)
2003 Barry Town 11 (0)
2003–2004 Dagenham & Redbridge 1 (0)
2004–2005 Hornchurch F.C.
National team
1997–1998 Nigeria 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Having started his career at Kano Pillars, Baruwa also had spells with Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Shooting Stars FC, being the first choice goalkeeper during 1996 African Cup of Champions Clubs where his club was runner-up after losing to Zamalek on penalties.[1]

In 1997, Baruwa was bought by Sion, where he was a backup to Fabrice Borer. In the next season, he moved to Sturm Graz only appearing once as a reserve for Kazimierz Sidorczuk. He stayed with the club until 2001 without making any further appearance and being relegated to third-choice after Josef Schicklgruber was appointed the first choice.[2]

In January 2003, Baruwa was signed by Barry Town on a short-term deal,[3] winning both 2002–03 Welsh Premier League and 2002–03 Welsh Cup. During his stay, in a match against Bangor City, he suffered racial abuse[4] and was confronted by an opposition fan in the pitch.[5]

After failing to get a work permit to 2003–04 season, Baruwa left Barry Town and in October 2003 joined Dagenham & Redbridge. Also without a work permit, he could not be paid by the Conference National club.[6] Unable to oust Tony Roberts from the starting side, Baruwa made a single Conference appearance as a substitute in September 2004, before being released in the same month.[7]

In the same year, Baruwa was signed by Conference South side Hornchurch, making a single appearance at a 2–5 loss against Boston United in a FA Cup match on 13 November 2004.[8][9]

International career

Baruwa was a stand-by player for Nigeria under-23 at the 1996 Summer Olympics when his team won the gold medal.[10] With the Nigerian national team, he was selected for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Age controversy

Zimbabwe alleged that Baruwa, who played during 1996 Summer Olympics qualification, was in fact born on 7 February 1969 as stated in a match program from 1991 Nigerian FA Cup final when Baruwa was a Kano Pillars player.[11] Nigeria faced disqualification from the Olympic Games, but FIFA turned down the Zimbabwe allegation.[12][13] During his stint at Barry Town, he was cited as a 33-year-old goalkeeper,[14] meaning he was born in 1969.

Honours

Club
Barry Town
Iwuanyanwu Nationale
Shooting Stars
Sturm Graz

Country
 Nigeria

References
  1. "African Club Competitions 1996". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  2. Woile, Dennis Grebasch, Michael. "SK Sturm Graz 2000-01". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  3. uefa.com. "Barry bring in Nigerian Baruwa – UEFA.com". www.uefa.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  4. "Barry to lodge racism complaint". 25 February 2003. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  5. "Goalie's fear at fan's act". 25 February 2003. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  6. DiggerDagger.com. "DiggerDagger.com - An Independent Dagenham & Redbridge FC Website". www.fansfocus.net. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  7. "Dagenham release keeper". 23 September 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  8. "Boston Utd vs. Hornchurch - Football Match Summary - November 13, 2004 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  9. "Boston 5-2 Hornchurch". 13 November 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  10. FIFA.com. "Olympic Football Tournaments Atlanta 1996 - Men - Nigeria - Overview - FIFA.com". FIFA.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  11. "Discussions • View topic - Excellent Piece BigPokey69, excellent piece". discussions.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  12. Staff Reporter. "Pirates kick off the international show". The M&G Online. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  13. Omorodion, Patrick (25 September 2000). "Sudan/Nigeria: Beyond the Boardroom Victory Over Sudan". Vanguard (Lagos). Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  14. "Football: Barry keeper Baruwa upset by taunts. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
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