looking back continues

1970 - 1979

In Goal, Emmanuel Okala's towering height made him the nightmare of attackers. He was the original 'Chairman' (not Chukwu) of the Green Eagles and the first and only goalkeeper to be named African footballer of the year (by ASJU).

In the 1970s he was the most recognised and most dreaded goalkeeper in Africa.

He was so good that myths were created around him all over the continent. Best Ogedegbe may have won the Nations Cup in 1980 but it is to Okala that must go the title of the greatest goalkeeper of the 1970s There were many others like Joe Erico, Zion Ogunfeyimi, Patrick Okala, Wilfred Agbonibare, and so on, who did very well playing for club and country but none was better than in longevity, reputation and individual achievements.

In Defence Patrick Ekeji, Samuel Ojebode, Harrison Mecha, David Egborge all played very significant roles in the achievements of the Green Eagles in that decade. But in terms of outstanding performance at full back, we must settle for between Samuel Ojebode and Patrick Ekeji. Both were great overlapping full backs in the mould of Tony Igwe.



Harrison Mecha also sticks out in my mind even though his stint in the national team was so brief that not many people even remember. In central defence it is a totally different story. Godwin Achebe started the decade but Christian Chukwu and Godwin Odiye by his side took over and made it their personal property. Of course there were Victor Oduah (an immaculate player in the mould of Franz Berkenbuar), Tunde Bamidele, Idowu Otubusin, Anas Ahmed, and so on, who played in pairs to make Nigeria's defence a delight to watch. In terms of achievement though, Chukwu, with his leadership of Rangers FC and the national team, stands alone.

In Midfield. That was the first generation of exceptionally gifted midfield players. Mudashiru Lawal, Christian Madu, Sani Mohammed, Stanley Okoronkwo, Alloysius Atuegbu, Haruna Ilerika - all were football artists and magicians on the ball. But there is no disputing Haruna's exceptional dribbling skills and creativity, and Muda Lawal's immaculate ball control, tireless running, pin-point accurate passing and his goalscoring ability.

They both ruled the Nigerian creative midfield through most of the decade, with the support of Alloysius Atuegbu, Felix Agbonifo for Bendel Insurance mostly, Christian Madu and Stanley Okoronkwo for brief periods. Henry Nwosu and Sylvanus Okpala came in at the tail end of that decade. It is to the next decade however that we must credit them.

These two extremely talented, skilful and confident players played some of the best football of the lives as youngsters from 1980!


Courtesy Segun Odegbami