Lawrence Chimezie Akandu ( Lawrence, born 10 December 1974) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in Nigeria, he represented Hong Kong internationally.
Club career Early career Akandu started his career and made his name as a centre forward but has become a defender.
Akandu moved to Hong Kong from the Polish club Wisła Kraków in 1994. He played for Hong Kong First Division side Frankwell, Five-One-Seven, Tung Po.
In the summer of 2002, Akandu joined the Hong Kong Second Division club Kitchee. As a physically powerful centre forward, he scored 15 goals in the 2002–03 season, helping Kitchee earn promotion to the Hong Kong First Division.
Happy Valley In 2003–04 season, Akandu joined Happy Valley, one of the top teams in the Hong Kong First Division League. Despite lack of first division experience, he quickly adapted in the competition. He scored ten goals in the first-half season and led the Top Soccer table.
International career In November 2003, Akandu acquired Hong Kong permanent resident status and played as a striker in the Hong Kong national football team. He scored on his debut for Hong Kong in the East Asian Football Championship 2003 against Korea Republic on 4 December 2003, where he scored the only goal for Hong Kong.Match highlights – Hong Kong 1:3 Korea Rep., YouTube
Honours Kitchee Hong Kong Second Division League: 2002–03
Happy Valley Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2003–04 Hong Kong FA Cup: 2003–04
Tung Po Hong Kong Junior Shield: 2005–06
Shatin Hong Kong Junior Shield: 2007–08 Hong Kong Third Division League: 2007–08 Hong Kong Junior Shield: 2008–09 Hong Kong Second Division League: 2008–09
Career statistics Club As of 14 November 2009 ClubSeasonLeagueLeague CupSenior ShieldFA CupAFC CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHappy Valley2003–041495130316331142004–05144102031——195Total2813615062635019ClubSeasonLeague—Junior Shield——TotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTung Po2005–062121——22————2323Total2121——22————2323ClubSeasonLeagueLeague CupSenior ShieldFA CupAFC CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHong Kong FC2006–07132002010——162Total132002010——162ClubSeasonLeague—Junior ShieldFA Cup—TotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsShatin SA2007–0844——00————44SeasonLeague—Junior ShieldFA Cup—Total2008–091613——5510——2218Total2017——5510——2622Mutual FC2009–1077—— ————77Total77——55————77Career Total
International As of 15 January 2007 #DateVenueOpponentsResultGoalsCompetition1 4 December 2003 Tokyo, Japan 1–3 1 East Asian Cup 20032 7 December 2003 Saitama, Japan 0–1 0 East Asian Cup 20033 10 December 2003 Yokohama, Japan 1–3 0 East Asian Cup 20034 19 February 2004 Kuantan, Malaysia 3–1 0 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qual.5 9 June 2004 Kuwait City, Kuwait 0–4 0 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qual.6 8 September 2004 Hong Kong, Hong Kong 0–2 0 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qual.7 17 November 2004 Hong Kong, Hong Kong 0–7 0 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qual.
References