Arthur Boka is an Ivorian footballer known for his role as a left back.
He began his professional career at ASEC Mimosas, a club famous for its youth academy.
He won the Bundesliga title with VfB Stuttgart in the 2006–07 season.
Biography
Early Life
Etienne Arthur Boka, an Ivorian footballer, began his journey in the sport by walking into the ASEC Mimosas academy in Abidjan, where he sought a trial after being inspired by the vibrant football culture around him. This academy is renowned for producing top talents, including Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Eboué. Boka's determination and skill quickly set him apart, leading to his professional debut with ASEC Mimosas from 1996 to 1999.
Club Career
Boka's professional career took off when he joined Belgian club K.S.K. Beveren in 2002. His impressive performances there earned him a move to RC Strasbourg in France for the 2004–05 season. After a successful stint, he transferred to VfB Stuttgart in 2006, where he became known for his attacking prowess from the left-back position, earning the nickname "The African Roberto Carlos." During his time at Stuttgart, he won the Bundesliga title in the 2006–07 season and extended his contract multiple times until 2014. Following his tenure in Germany, Boka played for Málaga CF and later FC Sion, showcasing his versatility by transitioning to a defensive midfielder role.
International Career
On the international stage, Boka represented the Ivory Coast national team from 2004 to 2014, earning 72 caps and scoring one goal. He participated in two World Cups (2006 and 2010) and several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, where he helped lead his team to the finals in 2006 and 2010, although they fell short in both instances. Boka's contributions to the national team solidified his status as a key player in Ivorian football history.
Legacy
Boka's career is marked by significant achievements, including a Bundesliga title and multiple appearances in international tournaments. His journey from the streets of Abidjan to the global football stage serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in Ivory Coast and beyond.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Like many successful players from Ivory Coast, he started his career at homeland club ASEC Abidjan, after coming through their much famed youth system, that has also produced players such as Kolo Touré, Emmanuel Eboué, and Aruna Dindane. He joined the club after walking in from the streets of Ivory Coast capital Abidjan and asking for a trial. Following his graduation from the academy he moved on to Belgian club K.S.K. Beveren in 2002, where impressive performances earned him a transfer to the then Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg in France for the 2004–05 season. He impressed further at Strasbourg, but following their relegation at the end of the 2005–06 season he left to join German top-flight club VfB Stuttgart. His impressive attack minded play from his left-back position have earned him the nickname of "The African Roberto Carlos". In the 2006–07 season Boka won the Bundesliga title with VfB Stuttgart. On 14 January 2009 he extended his contract at VfB Stuttgart until the summer of 2012. On 30 May 2012, Boka signed a new one-year contract with an option for a further year at VfB Stuttgart. Boka used to be playing as left back, but in the middle of 2012–13 Bundesliga season he began playing as defensive midfielder. On 1 May 2014, Boka agreed a transfer to Spanish La Liga side Málaga CF, signing a two-year deal with the Andalusians. He made his debut in the competition on 29 August, starting in a 0–3 away loss against Valencia CF. He joined Swiss team FC Sion in July 2016 but…
Boka has 72 caps for the Ivory Coast, scored one goal, and was called up to the 2006 World Cup, where he played all three group games for the Elephants, where he performed impressively, gaining one assist. He was also called up to the 2010 World Cup, where he played the final group match against North Korea gaining two assists. He represented Ivory Coast in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and was also part of the Ivorian squad at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. Boka was also called up for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. With Ivory Coast, Boka reached the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2012, but they were beaten on penalties on both occasions.
- Club
- RC Strasbourg Alsace (2004–2006)
- Club
- K.S.K. Beveren (2002–2004)
- Club
- ASEC Mimosas (1996–1999)
- Club
- Málaga CF (2014–2016)
- Club
- Ivory Coast men's national football team (2004–2014)
- Club
- ASEC Mimosas (1999–2002)
- Club
- FC Sion (2016–2017)
- League
- Bundesliga
- National team
- Ivory Coast
- Club
- VfB Stuttgart (2006–2014)
Legacy
Club
Beveren
Belgian Cup runner-up: 2003–04 Strasbourg
Coupe de la Ligue: 2004–05 VfB Stuttgart
Bundesliga winner: 2006–07 DFB-Pokal runner-up: 2006–07, 2012–13
International
Ivory Coast
Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2006, 2010
Clubs
- ASEC Mimosas1996–1999
- ASEC Mimosas1999–2002
- K.S.K. Beveren2002–2004
- Ivory Coast men's national football team2004–2014
- RC Strasbourg Alsace2004–2006
- VfB Stuttgart2006–2014
- Málaga CF2014–2016
- FC Sion2016–2017
Played together with
Aaron AnselminoRC Strasbourg Alsace · 2026- Aarón EscandellMálaga CF · 2012–2014
- Aarón EscandellMálaga CF · 2013–2017
- Abdallah N'dourRC Strasbourg Alsace
Abdel AbqarMálaga CF- Abdelaziz AhanfoufVfB Stuttgart
- Abdelilah FahmiRC Strasbourg Alsace · 2003–2005
Abdelkrim MerryRC Strasbourg Alsace · 1983–1984- Abdellah LiegeonRC Strasbourg Alsace · 1987–1989
Abdelmoumene DjabouFC Sion · 2008–2008- Abdoul Karim SyllaASEC Mimosas
- Abdoulaye DjireASEC Mimosas · 1999–2003
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Etienne Arthur Boka is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a left back for the Ivory Coast national team. At club level, he last played for Atlético de Marbella in the seventh-tier Primera Andaluza.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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