Godfred_Karikari

Godfred Karikari

Godfred Karikari

Hong Kong footballer

Godfred Karikari (Chinese: 高梵·卡里卡利; Jyutping: Gou1 Faan4 Kaa1 Lei5 Kaa1 Lei6; born 11 March 1985) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in Ghana, he represented the Hong Kong national football team.

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Early life

Karikari was born to an affluent family in Ghana. He was a fast runner in his youth and was invited to join the school's track and field team, but he chose to play football instead. He was introduced to Hong Kong football by his manager and has not returned to Ghana since. His family members, whom he visits when he is on holiday, live in the United States and the United Kingdom today.[1]

Club career

Early career

Karikari arrived in Hong Kong in 2002 and joined Fukien. In 2005, he moved to Rangers (HKG).

Happy Valley

Karikari moved to Happy Valley in January 2008. He scored 9 goals in the remainder of the season. Although the club decided to use a youth strategy for 2009–10 season, his contract was renewed. The club finished last of the 10 clubs in the season and Karikari left the club for TSW Pegasus.

Pegasus

Karikari joined Pegasus. On 11 September 2010, he scored 3 goals in TSW Pegasus' 5:1 victory over HKFC.[2] On 1 April 2011, he scored another hat-trick against Tai Chung FC in a 7–1 win.[3] In total, he scored 13 goals for TSW Pegasus in all local competitions in the 2010–11 season.[4]

In the 2011–12 season, Karikari continued his good form by scoring 6 goals in 3 games, including a hat-trick against Sham Shui Po on 24 September 2011.[5] He was voted Most Valuable Player of Month in September 2011 by the Hong Kong Sports Press Association.[6]

Henan Jianye

On 13 June 2012, Karikari moved to mainland China and signed a contract with Chinese Super League side Henan Jianye.[7] He joined as a Hong Kong Chinese player and therefore not occupying any foreigners quotas of the club.[8] He made his debut for Henan on 23 June, in a 0–0 away draw against Dalian Shide.[9] His first goal for Henan came on 4 days later, which ensured Henan beat Chongqing Lifan 2–0 in the third round of 2012 Chinese FA Cup.[10]

Shenzhen Ruby

In February 2014, Karikari transferred to China League One side Shenzhen Ruby.[11]

Beijing Baxy

In July 2014, Karikari transferred to another China League One club Beijing Baxy.[12]

Qingdao Huanghai

On 4 January 2016, Karikari signed by another China League One club Qingdao Huanghai.[13]

R&F

After six years abroad, Karikari returned to Hong Kong's top flight, and signed with R&F on 19 January 2018.[14]

On 19 June 2019, head coach Yeung Ching Kwong announced that Karikari would not be retained.[15]

Kitchee

On 5 February 2020, Karikari signed with another HKPL club Kitchee.[16] However, he failed to make any appearances during his spell at the club due to the spreading of Coronavirus which makes the HKPL being suspended from mid of March 2020.

Karikari left the club after his contract expired in July 2020.[17]

International career

Karikari spent more than seven years playing football in Hong Kong. He received his Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card on 7 February 2011. His lack of a Hong Kong SAR passport meant he was unable to be registered as a Hong Kong player in the 2011 AFC Cup and was also unable to represent Hong Kong in international matches.[18] Due to his late application, he didn't receive his passport to represent Hong Kong until November 2011.[19] On 2 December, he was called up by caretaker Hong Kong coach Liu Chun Fai for the 2012 Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup squad.[20] Godfred Karikari scored on his debut for Hong Kong in the 2012 Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup as the match ended 2–2.[21]

On 11 April 2012, Hong Kong head coach Ernie Merrick confirmed that Karikari's association change had been approved and he could represent the Football Association of Hong Kong.[22]

On 1 June 2012, Karikari made his international debut for Hong Kong in a friendly match against Singapore.

Karikari scored his first international goal for Hong Kong against Bhutan on 11 June 2015 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Career statistics

Club

Updated 5 February 2020
More information Club performance, League ...

International

As of 10 October 2017
More information National team, Year ...
Updated 15 October 2013
More information #, Date ...

International goals

Updated 5 October 2017
More information Goal, Date ...

Honours

Club

Henan Jianye

International

Hong Kong

References

  1. [1]
    (in Chinese)高梵心繫香港[permanent dead link] Ta Kung Pao. 李恆基. 28 December 2011.
  2. [2]
    (in Chinese) 高梵連中三元 飛馬大破港會開齋 Wen Wei Po. 11 September 2010
  3. [3]
    (in Chinese) 南華贏公民4強撼晨曦 Oriental Daily. 1 April 2011.
  4. [4]
    2010-11 Top Scorers www.hkfa.com Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  5. [5]
    (in Chinese) 港甲天水圍飛馬4比0大勝深水埗 Commercial Radio Hong Kong. 24 September 2011.
  6. [6]
    (in Chinese) 高梵當選體記協會 「9月最有價值球員」 Wen Wei Po. 31 October 2011.
  7. [7]
    (in Chinese) 建业签香港籍锋将 原籍加纳完成二次转会首签 QQ.com. 13 June 2012.
  8. [8]
    (in Chinese) 高梵轉戰中超 今投河南建業 Goal.com. 13 June 2012.
  9. [9]
    (in Chinese) 高梵首秀徐洋击中横梁 大连实德0-0战平河南建业 Archived 29 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine Shangdu. 23 June 2012.
  10. [10]
    (in Chinese) 足协杯-卡通戈高梵破门 河南建业2-0力帆将战恒大 Sina. 27 June 2012.
  11. [11]
    (in Chinese) 红钻签下了五名内援 Sina. 1 March 2014.
  12. [12]
    (in Chinese) 八喜最后一名新外援亮相 高梵展示33号战袍(图) Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Sohu. 29 July 2014.
  13. [13]
    (in Chinese) 中甲浪人高梵又轉會 Apple Daily. 6 January 2016.
  14. [14]
    "专访高梵：来R&F富力就像回家，想念中超中甲". Sohu. Retrieved 26 January 2018. (in Chinese)
  15. [15]
    Tsang, Ngan Ping. "富力來季班費5,000萬楊正光：組軍已完成得八八九九". Apple Daily. Retrieved 19 June 2019. (in Chinese)
  16. [16]
    Gao, Si Kei (5 February 2020). "傑志簽34歲高梵 港人入境台灣需隔離 亞協再現變數". HK01. Retrieved 5 February 2020. (in Chinese)
  17. [17]
    "疑違球會防疫指引 傑志助教盧比度離隊". Apple Daily. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2020. (in Chinese)
  18. [18]
    (in Chinese) 足球 科夫高梵領港身份證 Apple Daily. 8 February 2011
  19. [19]
    (in Chinese) 高梵錯過為港出戰龍騰盃 Archived 2 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine Hong Kong Daily News. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  20. [20]
    (in Chinese) 麥基、高梵被召踢省港盃 Apple Daily. 2 December 2011.
  21. [21]
    (in Chinese) 鄭少偉高梵各入一球 港隊和波唔抵！ Apple Daily. 29 December 2011.
  22. [22]
    (in Chinese)高梵可代表港足踢國際賽 Wen Wei Po. 12 April 2012.
  23. [23]
    "中甲30轮积分榜：建业毅腾携手冲超 贵州重足降级". sports.sina.com.cn. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
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