Education
Akpoborie finished his playing career at Saarbrücken in 2002.
Akpoborie finished his playing career at Saarbrücken in 2002.
Akpoborie started his professional career at Julius Berger, before moving to United States of America. In 1990 he joined 1. Football Club Saarbrücken of German 2. Bundesliga. Akpoborie also had spells with Football Club Carl Zeiss Jena, Stuttgart Kickers, for whom he scored 37 goals in one season, and Waldhof Mannheim, before finally joining top-flight F.C. Hansa Rostock in 1995.
After spending two years at Hansa, the player moved to their Bundesliga rivals VfB Stuttgart and then VfL Wolfsburg in 1999.
Two years later, he featured for the Flying Eagles at the 1987 Fédération internationale de football association World Youth Championship in Chile. He scored his first goal for the Super Eagles against Mexico at the 1995 United States. Cup on 24 June 1995.
In 1999, Dutch manager Thijs Libregts recalled him to the national side in a 2000 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Senegal. The game ended in a 1–1 draw, with Akpoborie scoring his third international goal.
Nigeria did not play any qualifier after the game as they qualified as hosts of the 2000 AFCON after to Zimbabwe – the originally designated host – failed to get a guarantee from the government.
In 2001, Akpoborie made the headlines when a boat, managed by his family, was stopped in Benin after allegations that it was carrying children into slavery in Gabon. The incident led to Akpoborie"s suspension from the Wolfsburg team and eventually, after a brief sojourn at Saarbrücken, to his retirement. The story of the ship, her passengers and her owner has been covered by the documentary Das Schiff des Torjägers (The Goalgetter"s Ship) by Swiss director Heidi Specogna.
Akpoborie now resides in Lagos.
He works with Supersport on billingsway Oregun Lagos and as player agent for Rogon Sports Management.