Michael Anaba (born 30 December 1993) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays for FK Kauno Žalgiris.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Anaba | ||
| Date of birth | (1993-12-30) 30 December 1993 (age 28) | ||
| Place of birth | Kumasi, Ghana | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | FK Kauno Žalgiris | ||
| Number | 20 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Real Republicans | |||
| Feyenoord Academy | |||
| Windy Professionals | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2011 | Windy Professionals | ||
| 2011–2013 | Asante Kotoko | ? | (1) |
| 2013–2015 | Elche B | 48 | (5) |
| 2015–2016 | Elche | 3 | (0) |
| 2016 | → Alcoyano (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Eldense | 16 | (2) |
| 2017 | Sud América | 4 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | Ontinyent | 29 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Alcoyano | 22 | (0) |
| 2019 | AFC Eskilstuna | 9 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Al-Jahra | ||
| 2021–2022 | Atzeneta | 5 | (0) |
| 2022– | Kauno Žalgiris | 9 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 2012–2013 | Ghana U20 | 4 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 September 2022 (UTC) | |||
Born in Kumasi, Anaba started his professional football career with Windy Professionals, a division two football team based in Winneba.[1] He joined Asante Kotoko in September 2011,[2] and featured regularly for the side, also winning the Ghana Premier League in the 2012–13 campaign.[3]
In January 2013 Kotoko blocked Anaba's move to Valencia CF.[4] He was also linked to Parma F.C. in the same transfer window, but nothing came of it.
In late July 2013, Anaba joined Elche CF in a trial basis. On 13 August, the club agreed a fee with Kotoko,[5] and the player signed a four-year deal late in the month.[6]
Anaba was initially assigned to the reserves in Segunda División B. In July 2014 he was called up to the main squad for the pre-season,[7] being definitely promoted to the first-team in the following month.
On 11 October 2014 Anaba returned to the B-side, due to the lack of opportunities in the main squad.[8] He only made his first team debut on 30 August 2015, playing the last 13 minutes in a 2–1 Segunda División home win against Bilbao Athletic.[9]
On 27 January 2016, Anaba was loaned to CD Alcoyano in the third level until June.[10] Upon returning, he rescinded his contract on 30 August,[11] and joined CD Eldense the following day.[12]
On 23 January 2017, Anaba switched teams and countries by agreeing to a contract with Uruguayan Primera División side Sud América.[13] On 14 August, he returned to Spain after joining third-tier club Ontinyent CF.[14]
In July 2020, Anaba joined Kuwaiti club Al-Jahra SC.[15] A year later, in September 2021, Anaba returned to Spain and joined Atzeneta UE.[16]
Anaba was a member of the Ghana under-20's during the 2013 African U-20 Championship qualification for the 2013 African U-20 Championship. In 2013, he was named in Sellas Tetteh's 23-man squad for the 2013 tournament, hosted in Algeria.[17] He was appointed vice-captain, and featured regularly during the tournament.[18]
Anaba was also selected to 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted in Turkey.[19] He was used mainly as a substitute during the competition, but started and captained his side in a 1–2 loss against France.[20] Anaba also appeared in the third-place match, again from the bench in a 3–0 win against Iraq.[21]