Convicted, Banned, Now Scoring: Amoo’s Heartwarming Return

Nigerian midfielder Akinkunmi Amoo has taken a vital step in rebuilding his troubled career by scoring his first goal in over three years for Chinese club Shanghai Jiading Huilong.

Once touted as one of Africa’s brightest football talents, Amoo endured a dramatic fall from grace after a promising rise with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets and a big-money move to FC Copenhagen.

His time in Denmark ended in controversy following a criminal conviction for multiple sexual assault charges in 2023, a one-year prison sentence, and a six-year ban from reentering Denmark.

Now 23, Amoo appears intent on turning the page. In Round 13 of China’s League One, the attacking midfielder scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory over Foshan Nanshi.

His 37th-minute strike — an expertly taken half-volley with his weaker right foot — proved the winner, as Shanghai held on despite conceding before half-time.

It marked Amoo’s first professional goal since March 2022, when he scored for FC København in the Danish Superliga.

Nigeria’s Akinkunmi Amoo, beaten but not broken
At the end of his troubles in Denmark and a short, unfulfilled stint with Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus earlier this year, Amoo left for China. Amoo joined China League One side Shanghai Jiading Huilong in February 2025 after terminating his contract with Omonia for personal reasons.

He made his competitive bow for Jiading Huilong in April, coming off the bench in a 1-0 loss to Nantong Zhiyun. Despite the defeat, his return to action was a notable moment after 409 days out of the game.

Amoo was nominated for the African Young Player of the Year in 2022 and previously attracted interest from Ajax, Leicester City, and Valencia. His €4.4 million transfer to FC Copenhagen once made him one of Nigeria’s most expensive youth exports.

His journey back to the pitch has been long and painful. But with this goal, Amoo may have just begun to reclaim the career that once looked destined for greatness.

Soccernet.ng