Uche makes history

Nigeria international striker Ikechukwu Uche made history on Sunday in Spain’s Primera División when he broke the record of appearances made by any Nigerian in the country’s top flight.

Uche was on for 71 minutes in Villarreal’s 1-3 loss to Valencia at Camp El Madrigal and wrote his name in the history books in the process.

The Nigerian has now made 176 appearances in the Primera División, more than any other Nigerian has previously managed.

Sunday’s feat saw him surpass the number of appearances previously made by two former Nigerian internationals in the competition.

Mutiu Adepoju and Finidi George, who both played professionally in Spain, both made 175 appearances in the Primera División.

Finidi reached the landmark with two Spanish clubs, RCD Mallorca (where he had two stints) and Real Betis Balompie while Adepoju racked up his total with Real Madrid, Racing Santander, Real Soceidad and Salamanca.

Uche, who has played his entire professional career in Spain, scored 40 goals in the Liga with Recreativo Huelva, Getafe, Real Zaragoza, Granada and Villarreal.

The 30-year-old, who began his professional football education with Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club Heartland (formerly Iwuayanwu Nationale) in 2000, left Nigeria in 2001 to join Recreativo.

He had earlier played for non-league Nigerian club, Amaze United.

Uche has scored 18 goals in 44 appearances for Nigeria at senior level.