Super Eagles: Why Danish police have launched an international manhunt for Nigeria star

Danish authorities launched an international search to locate Super Eagles hopeful Akinkunmi Amoo following his conviction for serious sexual offences, Afrik-Foot reports.

Copenhagen Police are working with international law enforcement agencies to find the former FC Copenhagen player, who is believed to have left Denmark before he could begin serving a one-year prison sentence. Danish broadcaster TV 2 Sport first reported that police were searching for a former professional footballer without naming him because of its editorial policy. Danish outlet Bold later identified the player as Amoo, the Nigerian winger who represented the Golden Eaglets at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Police confirmed that the 24-year-old has been remanded in custody in absentia while efforts continue to secure his return to Denmark. His exact location remains unknown, although reports in recent months have linked him with a move to Thai League 1 side Ratchaburi FC after leaving China.

Amoo’s legal troubles began after he was arrested in Denmark in 2022. In June 2023, the Copenhagen City Court found him guilty of assault, rape involving a sexual act other than intercourse, and attempted rape. The court handed him a one-year prison sentence.

Amoo was once regarded as one of the brightest young footballers to come out of Nigeria. After developing at Brightville Academy in Ibadan and Sidos FC in Lagos, the skilful left-footed winger earned the nickname “Little Messi” because of his quick feet, low centre of gravity and ability to beat defenders.

His reputation grew during the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, where he impressed scouts from several leading European clubs. That form earned him a move to Swedish side Hammarby in 2020, where he scored nine goals and registered five assists in 35 appearances while helping the club win the Svenska Cupen.

His performances attracted Danish champions FC Copenhagen, who signed him in January 2022 for a reported €4.4 million, making him Hammarby’s record sale at the time. Soon after, he received his first invitation to the Super Eagles squad ahead of Nigeria’s 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff against Ghana, although he never established himself in the senior national team.

However, injuries and off-field problems quickly stalled his progress. A serious knee injury kept him out for more than a year, and he managed only four senior appearances and one goal for Copenhagen before his conviction.

Following the guilty verdict in 2023, FC Copenhagen transferred Amoo to Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia in an attempt to revive his career. That move lasted only a few months before his contract was terminated after his appeal failed and the conviction became final.

He later joined Chinese club Shanghai Jiading Huilong in February 2025, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 22 league appearances before becoming a free agent at the end of the season. Reports have since linked him with Ratchaburi in Thailand, but with Danish police now leading an international manhunt, uncertainty over his future has grown even further.