Arthur Boka

Arthur Boka

Boka playing forIvory CoastagainstColombiaat the2014 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Etienne Arthur Boka
Date of birth	(1983-04-02)2 April 1983
Place of birth	Abidjan,Ivory Coast
Height	1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s)	Left back
Youth career
1996–2002	ASEC Mimosas
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2004	Beveren	59	(4)
2004–2006	Strasbourg	66	(2)
2006–2014	VfB Stuttgart	154	(5)
2014–2016	Málaga	37	(0)
2016–2017	Sion	3	(0)
2022	Atlético de Marbella	2	(0)
International career‡
2004–2015	Ivory Coast	82	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:30, 22 March 2017 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 00:00, 17 November 2015 (UTC)

Etienne Arthur Boka(born 2 April 1983) is an Ivorian former professionalfootballerwho played as aleft backfor theIvory Coast national team.At club level, he last played forAtlético de Marbellain the seventh-tierPrimera Andaluza.

He was a part of the Ivory Coast squads at twoFIFA World Cupsand fiveAfrica Cups of Nationsbetween 2006 and 2013. Boka is known for his lightning pace even though he is a man of a very small build.

Club career

Like many successful players from Ivory Coast, he started his career at homeland clubASEC Abidjan,after coming through their much famed youth system, that has also produced players such asKolo Touré,Emmanuel Eboué,andAruna Dindane.He joined the club after walking in from the streets of Ivory Coast capitalAbidjanand asking for a trial. Following his graduation from the academy he moved on to Belgian clubK.S.K. Beverenin 2002, where impressive performances earned him a transfer to the then Ligue 1 clubRC Strasbourgin France for the 2004–05 season. He impressed further at Strasbourg, but following their relegation at the end of the 2005–06 season he left to join German top-flight clubVfB Stuttgart.His impressive attack minded play from his left-back position have earned him the nickname of "The AfricanRoberto Carlos".In the 2006–07 season Boka won theBundesligatitle withVfB Stuttgart.

On 14 January 2009 he extended his contract at VfB Stuttgart until the summer of 2012.On 30 May 2012, Boka signed a new one-year contract with an option for a further year at VfB Stuttgart.Boka used to be playing asleft back,but in the middle of2012–13 Bundesligaseason he began playing asdefensive midfielder.On 1 May 2014, Boka agreed a transfer to SpanishLa LigasideMálaga CF,signing a two-year deal with theAndalusians.He made his debut in the competition on 29 August, starting in a 0–3 away loss againstValencia CF.He joined Swiss teamFC Sionin July 2016 but left in February 2017 after just threeSuper Leagueappearances.

International career

Boka has 72capsfor theIvory Coast,scored one goal, and was called up to the2006 World Cup,where he played all three group games for the Elephants, where he performed impressively, gaining one assist. He was also called up to the2010 World Cup,where he played the final group match againstNorth Koreagaining two assists.

He represented Ivory Coast in the2006 Africa Cup of Nationsand was also part of the Ivorian squad at the2008 Africa Cup of Nationsin Ghana. Boka was also called up for the2010 Africa Cup of Nations,the2012 Africa Cup of Nationsand the2013 Africa Cup of Nations.With Ivory Coast, Boka reached the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2012, but they were beaten on penalties on both occasions.

Career statistics

As of 29 August 2014

Club	Division	Season	League		Cups		Europe		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Beveren	Jupiler Pro League	2002–03	30	3	1	0	0	0	31	3
		2003–04	29	1	5	0	0	0	34	1
	Total		59	4	6	0	0	0	65	4
Strasbourg	Ligue 1	2004–05	34	0	6	0	0	0	40	0
		2005–06	27	0	3	0	8	1	38	1
	Ligue 2	2006–07	5	2	0	0	0	0	5	2
	Total		66	2	9	0	8	1	83	3
VfB Stuttgart	Bundesliga	2006–07	19	1	3	0	0	0	22	1
		2007–08	17	0	3	0	3	0	23	0
		2008–09	18	0	2	0	9	0	29	0
		2009–10	14	0	2	0	6	0	22	0
		2010–11	23	2	2	0	5	0	30	2
		2011–12	13	0	1	0	0	0	14	0
		2012–13	25	1	5	1	8	1	38	3
		2013–14	25	1	0	0	4	0	29	1
	Total		154	5	18	1	35	1	207	7
Málaga	La Liga	2014–15	23	0	3	0	0	0	26	0
		2015–16	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	Total		24	0	3	0	0	0	27	0
Career total			303	11	36	1	43	2	382	14

International goals

As of 9 March 2017

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	18 August 2004	Parc des Sports,Avignon,France	Senegal	2–1	Win	Friendly match

Honours

Club

Beveren

• Belgian Cuprunner-up: 2003–04

Strasbourg

• Coupe de la Ligue:2004–05

VfB Stuttgart

• Bundesligawinner:2006–07
• DFB-Pokalrunner-up:2006–07,2012–13

International

Ivory Coast

• Africa Cup of Nationsrunner-up:2006,2010

External links

• Arthur Bokaat BDFutbol
• Arthur Bokaat National-Football-Teams.com
• Arthur BokaatL'ÉquipeFootball(in French)
• Arthur BokaatESPN FC
• Arthur Boka–FIFAcompetition record (archived)
• Arthur Bokaatfussballdaten.de(in German)