KennedyEgbus Mikuni

Kennedy Egbus Mikuni (三國 ケネディエブス) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Nagoya Grampus.

Mikuni began playing football at Aomori Yamada High School in Aomori, where he was scouted.

After being sidelined for three months, he returned from injury, coming on as a 51st minute substitute, in a 2–0 win against FC Tokyo, as the club advanced to the semi–finals of the J. League Cup.

Mikuni played in both legs of the semi–finals of the J. League Cup against Nagoya Grampus, as he helped the club won 2–0 on aggregate to advance to the final.

Mikuni progressed both junior high and high school at Aomori between 2015 and 2018.

In his first year at Aomori Yamada, he helped the school win the National Junior High School Soccer Tournament Final in 2015.

Together with teammates Riku Danzaki, they were one of the key players to win the Outstanding Player Award of the tournament.

Mikuni finished the tournament as the National Junior High School Soccer Tournament top scorer.

In the 2016 season, Mikuni played a small contributions for Aomori Yamada when the school won both the National High School Soccer Championship and Prince Takamado Trophy Championship.

Having started out as a striker, Mikuni began playing in a centre–back defender in his third year at Aomori Yamada High School.

Throughout 2017, his performance at Aomori Yamada was noticed by Web Gekisaka, who described him one of the players to watch.

In 2018, Mikuni helped the Aomori Yamada win Sanix Cup International Youth Tournament and National High School Soccer Championship Final.

Following this, he was included for the National High School Soccer Championship Outstanding Player.

Throughout 2018, his performance at Aomori Yamada, once again, was noticed by Web Gekisaka, who described him one of the players to watch.

It was announced on 18 July 2018 that Mikuni would be joining Avispa Fukuoka ahead of the new season.

He was given a number twenty shirt by the club.

Mikuni made his Avispa Fukuoka debut, starting the whole game, in the opening game of the season against FC Ryukyu but he conceded three goals, as the club lost 3–1.

In a follow–up match against V-Varen Nagasaki, Mikuni made an improvement in his second appearance for Avispa Fukuoka when he helped the club kept a clean sheet, in a 0–0 draw.

After missing two matches due to an injury, Mikuni returned to the starting line–up against Albirex Niigata and kept another clean, in a 2–0 win on 23 March 2019.

He was given a first team chance under the management of Fabio Pecchia.

In a match against Zweigen Kanazawa on 3 May 2019, Mikuni received a red card for a second bookable offence, in a 1–1 draw.

He previously played uncharacteristically, such as, losing possessions and giving away the ball that saw him substituted at half time, in a 1–1 draw against Yokohama FC on 7 April 2019.

After two months away, Mikuni made his first appearance for Avispa Fukuoka, playing 120 minutes, in a 2–1 win against Kagoshima United in the second round of the Emperor’s Cup.

At the end of the 2019 season, he went on to make eleven appearances in all competitions.

Following this, Mikuni briefly went on an invitational trial with Italian side Juventus U23 for two weeks.

At the start of the 2020 season, Mikuni had his contract renewed with Avispa Fukuoka.

After being absent from the first team, he scored on his first appearance of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Ehime FC on 29 July 2020.

This was followed up by setting up an equalising goal, in a 2–2 draw against Ventforet Kofu.

In a match between Avispa Fukuoka and Mito HollyHock on 4 November 2020, Mikuni played briefly against his older brother, SteviaEgbus when he came on as a late substitute, as the club won 1–0.

However, Mikuni made only five starts for Avispa Fukuoka and found his playing time from the substitute bench.

Despite making nineteen appearances and scoring once in all competitions, he helped the club promoted to J1 League.

Ahead of the 2021 season, Mikuni had his contract renewed with Avispa Fukuoka.

On 3 March 2021, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–2 lost against Consadole Sapporo in the group stage of the J. League Cup.

Mikuni then made three starts, playing as a striker.

By the time Mikuni left Avispa Fukuoka in May, he made four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Following his loan spell at Tochigi SC ended, Mikuni made his first appearance of the 2022 season for Avispa Fukuoka, starting a match and played 82 minutes, in a 1–0 lost against Yokohama F. Marinos on 10 September 2022.

After making seven appearances in all competitions at the end of the 2022 season, he had his contract renewed with Avispa Fukuoka.

Throughout the 2023 season, Mikuni made only twelve starts for Avispa Fukuoka and found his playing time from the substitute bench.

He then helped the club qualify for the J. League Cup knockout stage after winning the two remaining matches of the group stage against Albirex Niigata and Kashiwa Reysol.

In a match against Vissel Kobe on 25 June 2023, Mikuni suffered an injury and was substituted in the 39th minute, as Avispa Fukuoka lost 3–0.