Sani Kaita is a Nigerian former professional footballer known for his role as a defensive midfielder.
Kaita began his European career with Sparta Rotterdam before moving to AS Monaco FC in 2008.
He made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2005 and was sent off during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Nigerian to receive a red card in World Cup history.
Biography
Early Life
Sani Haruna Kaita was born in Kano, Nigeria, where he began his journey in football. His early talent was evident as he played for Kano Pillars FC before making a significant move to Europe.
Career
Kaita's professional career took off when he joined Sparta Rotterdam in the 2005–06 season. He quickly made a name for himself, which led to a transfer to AS Monaco FC in September 2008. His time at Monaco was marked by several loan spells, including stints at FC Kuban Krasnodar and Lokomotiv Moscow. Kaita continued to showcase his skills across various clubs, including FC Alania Vladikavkaz and FC Metalist Kharkiv, before moving to Greece to play for G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis.
In 2014, Kaita returned to Nigeria, where he played for Enyimba International F.C. and later joined Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. His career also took him to Finland, where he played for JS Hercules and RoPS, making notable contributions including scoring his first goal for RoPS in a match against Ilves Tampere.
International Career
Kaita's international career began with the Nigeria U-20 team, where he impressed at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made his senior debut for the Nigeria national team in 2005 and participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he made headlines for being the first Nigerian player sent off in a World Cup match. Throughout his international career, Kaita earned accolades, including a bronze medal at the African Cup of Nations and a runner-up finish at the 2008 Olympic Games.
Legacy
Kaita's contributions to Nigerian football are significant, with a career that spans multiple clubs and international appearances. His journey reflects the challenges and triumphs of a professional athlete, leaving a lasting impact on the sport in Nigeria.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Kaita caught the eye of Sparta when playing all seven matches for Nigeria U-20 at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. He was also a member of the senior Nigeria national team making his debut in a 3–0 friendly loss against Romania in November 2005. Kaita was sent off in a match against Greece on 17 June 2010, in their second 2010 FIFA World Cup match for kicking Vasilis Torosidis. This made him the first Nigerian player to be sent off in a World Cup match. Greece went on to score their first World Cup goals, and win their first match in the World Cup.
Kaita was born in Kano, Nigeria. He joined Sparta Rotterdam in the 2005–06 season from Kano Pillars FC. Kaita moved to AS Monaco FC in September 2008. Kaita left Monaco on 13 January 2009 and joined FC Kuban Krasnodar on loan through 31 December 2009. On 25 August 2009, he signed for Lokomotiv Moscow on loan from Monaco until December. On 25 February 2010 Alania Vladikavkaz signed the midfielder on loan. On 31 May 2010 FC Metalist Kharkiv signed Kaita on loan. On the last day of the 2011 winter transfer window, Kaita moved to Super League Greece side Iraklis on a six-month loan deal. In April 2014, Kaita was back in Nigeria training with Enyimba F.C. He made his debut against Sharks F.C. on 7 May and spent a three-month loan with the Aba side. The loan was part of the League Management Company's elite initiative for foreign based professionals. He signed for Ifeanyi Ubah in the Nigeria premier league for the season 2015, but played only few matches for the team. In 2016, he joined a Finnish club, JS Hercules, which was coached by his former national team coach Daniel Amokachi. For the 2017 season, Kaita signed for Veikkausliiga team RoPS. He made his debut for the team on 28 January 2017 in a Suomen Cup 3–0 win against HauPa. He scored his first goal on 22 April against Ilves Tampere in the 79th minute, after being brought in three minutes earlier for injured team captain Antti Okkonen. At the end of the year he was released after featuring sporadically in the second half of…
- Club
- AS Monaco FC (2008–2009)
- Club
- Olympiakos Nicosia FC (2012–2012)
- Club
- FC Metalist Kharkiv (2010–2011)
- Club
- G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis (men's association football) (2011–2011)
- Club
- FC Lokomotiv Moscow (2009–2009)
- Club
- FC Alania Vladikavkaz (2010–2010)
- Club
- SC Tavriya Simferopol (2011–2012)
- Club
- Sparta Rotterdam (2005–2008)
- Club
- Kano Pillars F.C. (2004–2005)
- Club
- FC Kuban Krasnodar (2009–2009)
- Club
- Enyimba International F.C. (2014–2014)
- Club
- FC Saxan (2014–2014)
- Club
- Nigeria national under-23 football team (2008–2008)
- Club
- Nigeria men's national football team (2005–2010)
- Club
- FC Metalist Kharkiv (2010–2010)
- Club
- Olympiakos Nicosia FC (2012–2013)
- Club
- Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. (2015–2015)
- Club
- Nigeria national under-20 football team (2005–2005)
- Club
- G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis (2011–)
- National team
- Nigeria
Legacy
Nigeria
African Cup of Nations: bronze medalist 2006, 2010 Olympic Games: runner-up 2008 Nigeria U20
FIFA U-20 World Cup: runner-up 2005
Clubs
- G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis2011current
- Kano Pillars F.C.2004–2005
- Nigeria men's national football team2005–2010
- Nigeria national under-20 football team2005–2005
- Sparta Rotterdam2005–2008
- AS Monaco FC2008–2009
- Nigeria national under-23 football team2008–2008
- FC Kuban Krasnodar2009–2009
- FC Lokomotiv Moscow2009–2009
- FC Alania Vladikavkaz2010–2010
- FC Metalist Kharkiv2010–2011
- FC Metalist Kharkiv2010–2010
- G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis (men's association football)2011–2011
- SC Tavriya Simferopol2011–2012
- Olympiakos Nicosia FC2012–2012
- Olympiakos Nicosia FC2012–2013
- Enyimba International F.C.2014–2014
- FC Saxan2014–2014
- Ifeanyi Ubah F.C.2015–2015
Played together with
- Aadil AssanaAS Monaco FC · 2011–2014
Abdelaziz Ben TifourAS Monaco FC · 1956–1958- Abdellah LiegeonAS Monaco FC · 1981–1987
Abdenasser El KhayatiOlympiakos Nicosia FC · 2012–2013- Abderrahmane BoubekeurAS Monaco FC · 1954–1958
Abdou DialloAS Monaco FC · 2014–2015
Abdou HarrouiSparta Rotterdam
Abdoul-Gafar MamahFC Alania Vladikavkaz · 2010–2011- Abdoulaye DjireFC Metalist Kharkiv · 2008–2008
Abdoulkader ThiamAS Monaco FC
Abdula BagamayevFC Lokomotiv Moscow- Abdulla AbatsiyevFC Alania Vladikavkaz · 2012–2012
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Sani Haruna Kaita is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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