Rauf Salifu

Rauf Salifu
Personal information
Full name Rauf Salifu
Date of birth (2002-04-23) 23 April 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Accra, Ghana
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
2018–2022 Accra Lions
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Accra Lions 28 (21)
2022 → Sporting Kansas City II (loan) 17 (6)
2023 Selangor 5 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 20, 2023

Rauf Salifu (born 23 April 2002) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a striker.

Club career

Accra Lions

Born in Accra, Salifu played for Accra Lions in his homeland.[1] He was part of the club to win the title in the 2020–21 Ghana Division One and ended up as top scorer the seasons Division One with 21 goals. Also, Salifu help the club earned promotion to the Ghana Premier League next season.[2][3] After that, he received interest from clubs in Belgium, Turkey, Spain, and the Middle East.[4]

Sporting Kansas City II

On 7 February 2022, Salifu moving abroad to United States and joining Sporting Kansas City II on loan.[5] He made his debut on 28 March with playing 58 minutes of the 1–1 away draw against Colorado Rapids II.[6] He scored his first goal later on 5 June 2022, however, his side lose point in the match against Minnesota United II.[7] On 3 July 2022, Salifu was named Man of the Match when he scored all four goals in a tight match against North Texas at home, which ended 4–2 with his club emerging victorious.[8][9] It was the first time Salifu had scored four goals in one match in his entire career.[10] Overall, he scored 6 goals and provided one assist in 17 appearances for the club.[11]

Selangor

On 20 January 2023, Salifu was signed by Malaysia Super League club Selangor on a permanent deal.[12][13] Salifu made his debut for his new club in a 5–0 away win against Kuching City where he came on as a substitute for Ayron del Valle in the league match on 2 March.[14] Later, he scored his first goal for the club against Kelantan at MBPJ Stadium on 9 April, and scored two goals to help Selangor to a 3–0 win.[15][16] He ended the season with two goals in 6 overall appearances with the club.

Career statistics

Club

As of 17 December 2023[17]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Accra Lions 2020–21 Ghana Division One 28 21 — — — 28 21
Sporting Kansas City II (loan) 2022 MLS Next Pro 17 6 — — — 17 6
Total 45 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 45 27
Selangor 2023 Malaysia Super League 5 2 1 0 0 0 — 6 2
Total 5 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 2
Career total 50 29 1 0 0 0 0 0 51 29

Honours

Accra Lions

References

  1. ^ Danquah, Christian (9 May 2021). "Teenage sensation, Rauf Salifu marks himself as one of Ghana's sharpest shooters". maxtvgh.com. MaxTV. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Accra Lions' Rauf Salifu bags 20th goal of the season". myjoyonline.com. Joy Sports. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Accra Lions earn maiden promotion to Ghana Premier League less than six years after being founded". myjoyonline.com. Joy Sports. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Top European clubs chase signature of unstoppable Accra Lions striker Rauf Salifu". footballghana.com. Football Ghana. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  5. ^ Kovzan, Sam (7 February 2022). "Sporting KC II acquires striker Rauf Salifu on loan from Accra Lions FC". sportingkc.com. Sporting KC. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Colorado Rapids II vs. Sporting KC II". us.soccerway.com. Soccerway. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Sporting KC II vs. Minnesota United II". us.soccerway.com. Soccerway. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  8. ^ Asafo, Obed (4 July 2022). "Former Accra Lions forward sets new record in MLS". theghanafootball.com. Ghana Football. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Sporting KC II vs. North Texas". us.soccerway.com. Soccerway. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  10. ^ Belzer, Jared (3 July 2022). "Recap: Rauf Salifu strikes four times in SKC II's 4-2 victory over first-place North Texas SC". sportingkc.com. Sporting KC. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Salifu out to make Selangor fans proud". thestar.com.my. The Star. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Rauf Salifu Officially Joins Selangor FC". selangorfc.com. Selangor FC. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Ghanaian forward Rauf Salifu reveals why he joined Selangor FC in Malaysia". footballghana.com. Football Ghana. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  14. ^ Abdullah, Meor (2 March 2023). "Kuching City vs Selangor: Gergasi Merah Berpesta Gol". vocketfc.com. Vocket FC. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Salifu earns praises from coach after strong debut". thestar.com.my. The Star. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  16. ^ Aznan, Syafiq (10 April 2023). "Rauf Salifu senjata baharu Selangor". bharian.com.my. Berita Harian. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  17. ^ "R. Salifu". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 July 2023.