Green Eagles were medal hopefuls as they touched down in Montreal, Canada for the 1976 Olympic Games. They qualified at the expense of African champions, Morocco, did well in their training tour of Europe, and Brazil , eventual semi –finalists, avoided the Nigerians in a last minute tune up.
‘Master Dribbler’, Haruna Olatunji Ilerika, had seen several tournaments, from the All Africa Games , Lagos ’73, where he was part of the gold winning soccer team to the African-American Games, Mexico ’73 which earned him a bronze. Food was nothing to talk about.
That was until he arrived the Olympic Village in Montreal. There was so much to eat that Ilerika could not hold it any longer. Every meal was like a party. Sea food, assorted fruits, continental and African dishes.
“Patiriki, se oti de Kafiteria?”[Patrick, have you visited the cafeteria], Ilerika voiced out in Yoruba to team mate, Patrick ‘Powerhouse’ Ekeji. It was like out of this world. Ilerika said he had never seen such tantalizing sight all his life.
He was damn right. Ekeji would later confess that it was his [Ekeji’s] very first time of eating apples. From taking one apple away after every meal, the defender increased it to two when the volunteers did not complain. Right winger, Segun ‘Mathematical’ Odegbami, said there was so much to eat.
Drawn in same group as Poland, Iran and Cuba, the players were in killer mood and all were waiting to take part in their first Olympics. Team Nigeria, captained by Bruce Ijirigho, was in high spirits. Long Jumper, Charlton Ehizuelen, was among the best in the world.
All African Games Golden Boy, Obisia Nwakpa, was hopeful especially after coaching lessons from one –time world great, Archie Moore, of the US. Quarter milers, Dele Ndubuisi Udoh and Felix Imabiyi, were as confident as Godwin Obasogie.
Then it happened. Twenty four hours to the opening ceremony, Nigeria and 24 other African countries withdrew from the Games protesting New Zealand’s participation. The Oceanians had played rugby with apartheid South Africa. It was all over for a wonderful bunch of Nigerian footballers.
The Eagles looked so good. Managed by Yugoslav, Jelisavic ‘Father’ Tiko and assisted by Dan Amobi Anyiam, it was obvious they were on a mission to grab Africa’s first soccer medal. Many did not look the way of Ghana and Zambia, the two other African participants.
Captain Christian Chukwu led the stars: Emma Okala, Godwin Odiye, Sam Ojebode, Kelechi ‘Caterpillar’ Emeteole, Muda Lawal, Aloy ‘Blockbuster’ Atuegbu and younger brother, Andrew,Baba Otu Mohammed, Thompson Usiyen and Kunle Awesu, among others.
Odegbami joined them straight from Ibadan Polytechnic after receiving his NYSC call -up letter. He replaced defender, Jide Dina. It was an invitation that came following his spectacular form at Shooting Stars in the 1976 Africa Winners Cup. The Oluyole Warriors later finished as winners.
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Disappointed, Ilerika returned to his Lagos club, Stationery Stores. He had won All Africa Games gold in 1973, Africa Nation Cup bronze in 1976 and was denied an Olympic outing by the Kiwis and John Vorster’s apartheid South Africa.The dribbler, did not get to win international laurel after that.
A delight to watch, Ilerika became popular in 1970 when he led Zumratul-Islamiya Grammar School, Suru-Lere to win the Lagos State Principal’s Cup. His skills were evident right from primary school, African Church Bethel. He moved to Lagos City College where as player, the school boy was also acting coach.
Ilerika joined Stores in 1971 from Metal Construction, Burma Road, Apapa and spent 10 years with the Adebajo Babes. It was as a Green Eagle that he shone and won medals. Many will not forget the All Africa Games final when he dribbled three Guinean defenders to set up the second goal for Sunny Oyarekhua.
At the Ethiopia ’76 Nations Cup, Ilerika saved Nigeria with two brilliant levelers against Egypt until Muda Lawal scored the winner. Mahmud Al-Khatib[Bibo] put the Pharaohs ahead seven minutes into the game. Ilerika equalized in the 35th. Usama made it two a minute to half time. Ilerika drew Nigeria level in the 62nd minute. It ended 3-2.
Ilerika was not lucky with the Flaming Flamingos. He was their star player. In his time, Stores that won the Challenge Cup twice in the 1960s could do better in the next decade. Their best was a grand finale loss in 1980. They were then in the Third Division of the League.
That loss to Insurance gave the Adebajo Babes Africa Winners Cup ticket. In 1981, they were strong especially at away, losing only once, to Caps United of Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, Stores lost 2-1 to Union Douala, Cameroun, in the Lagos leg of the finals after a goalless draw at away.
Union Douala skipper, Eugene Ekoule, scored twice. Yisa Alabi got Stores lone goal. Ilerika was replaced by Bashir Salami. It was on December 5, 1981. Keeper Peter Rufai was replaced by Warebi. The first time Ilerika played in a continental finals, 1973, injured Eagles keeper, Okala, gave way to Eyo Essien. Nigeria won gold. Stores did not have the Eagles luck.
Ilerika did not forget that defeat of December 5.He died on December 4, 2008. The next day would have been 27 years since the painful defeat. He left behind two wives and nine children. One his daughters,Sherifat, is a popular Yoruba actress.