Dare Olatunji

Dare Olatunji

Personal information
Full name	Oluwadamilare Mathew Olatunji [1]
Date of birth	(1997-11-24) 24 November 1997 (age 26)
Place of birth	Nigeria
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) [2]
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	Al-Minaa
Number	27
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2018	Osun United
2018–2021	Enyimba	35	(0)
2021–2023	Shooting Stars	28	(1)
2023	Samtredia	19	(1)
2024–	Al-Minaa	13	(0)
International career‡
2019	Nigeria U23	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 July 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 March 2019

Oluwadamilare Mathew "Dare" Olatunji (born 24 November 1997) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Iraq Stars League club Al-Minaa. ^{[3] [4]}

Club career

Dare Olatunji started playing for Osun United, and played for them for two seasons, ^[5] then moved to Enyimba International Football in 2018. In his first season, he was able to win the 2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). with his new team and helped it qualify for the CAF Champions League, ^[6] Olatunji was also a force to reckon with for Enyimba in almost all the matches played at the just concluded Super 6 and was instrumental to the teams qualification for the CAF Champions League, apart from winning the NPFL, and he received congratulations from the management of his former club, which issued a statement stating that “Dare is a versatile, young midfielder whose football talents grew in leaps while at Osun United. He was among the best midfielders who were humble, disciplined and focused, which were some of additional qualities that attracted a big club like Enyimba. We believe in his ability as a potential talent and the perfect solution to the midfield challenges in the national teams if given the opportunity”. ^[7]

In 2021 Olatunji moved to joined Shooting Stars with his fellow Enyimba star Wasiu Alalade. ^[8] On 30 January 2022, he scored his first goal with Shooting Stars in his team’s 1-0 win against MFM F.C.. ^[9]

In 2023 Olatunji moved to joined Georgian side FC Samtredia, Samtredia got their season off to a start, beating Telavi 1-0 with Olatunji participating in the win, for the full ninety minutes of the match. ^[10] On 28 May 2023. Olatunji scored his first goal for his club Samtredia and helped them win 1-0 against Gagra. ^[11]

International career

Olatunji was first picked to represent Nigeria in 2019, when the under-23 coach Imama Amapakabo selected Olatunji to be a part of his squad to play in 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. ^{[12] [13]}

Honours

Enyimba

• Nigeria Professional Football League: 2019

References

1. Dare Olatunji, worldfootball.net, 26 April 2024
2. Dare Olatunji, playmakerstats.com, 26 April 2024
3. Dare Olatunji, besoccer.com, 26 April 2024
4. Dare Olatunji, flashscore.com, 26 April 2024
5. "Dare Olatunji Optimistic Enyimba Can Win League Title After COVID-19". sports247.ng. May 18, 2020.
6. "Olatunji Confident of Enyimba's Continental Success, Wishes Osun United Well". osbcng.org. September 21, 2023.
7. "Osun United Management Celebrates Ex-Player for Winning NPFL". osbcng.org. September 21, 2023.
8. "NPFL: Anietie Uko eyes big impact with Shooting Stars". aclsports.com. December 18, 2021.
9. "NPFL Review: Remo, Rivers draw; Akwa win". aclsports.com. January 30, 2022.
10. "Olatunji in Samtredia to win trophies". goalballlive.com. May 3, 2023.
11. "Football: Doucouré saves Everton as Osimhen scores twice". sportnewsafrica.com. May 28, 2023.
12. "Olympic Eagles set to overpower Libya in Tunisia". peoplesdailyng.com. March 20, 2019.
13. "Nigeria begins quest for Tokyo 2020 football ticket against Libya today". guardian.ng. March 20, 2019.

External links

• Dare Olatunji at Soccerway