![Fwd: SPORTS FLAKES. THE NEXT EDITION. FRIDAY V victoria ibanga to me, chinwe 6 hours agoDetails Pls publish. > > SPORTS FLAKES : OKALA : CONQUEROR AND EMPEROR OF CAMEROUN Byline: Emeka Obasi Category: SPORTS Picture: Emeka Obasi > > Camerounians will live to remember Emmanuel Anthony Oguejiofo Okala as one goalkeeper that made them cry severally and remained shoulders above their soccer teams. Only once did the legend lose to Cameroun and it was after full and extra time. Before that stain, he tormented the Indomitable Lions in Yaoundé, stopped Canon Sportif in Lagos and dismissed Tonnerre Kalara in Calabar. > > Okala's first encounter with the Indomitable Lions was in a 1974 Yaoundé friendly. The Green Eagles defeated their hosts 1-0. Other members of the Nigerian squad included Harrison Mecha, Nathaniel Adewale, Christian Chukwu, Idowu Otubusin, Musa, Philip Boamah, Kenneth Olayombo and Mohammed Lawal. The rest were John Nwadioha, Haruna Ilerika and substitutes, Mike Okotie, Jossy Dombraye and Yakubu Mambo. > > The Camerounian strike force of Roger Milla, Eugene Ekoule, Djombi, and Ama found it most difficult to put the ball past Okala. Even when Doumbe Leah, Bahoken and Machongo joined the attack from the rear, the Nigerian keeper was unbeatable. The introduction of Gregoire Arantes Mbida made no difference. The only goal conceded was by Keeper Mballa. > > At the Algiers '78 All Africa Games, the Lions were in the same Group B with Eagles. Okala was in goal again and the Camerounians needed a win to qualify for the semi-finals. They remembered that Nigeria were defending champions and Okala was in the team that won gold at the Lagos '73 All Africa Games. The game ended goalless. Nigeria later advanced to the grand finale losing narrowly to hosts Algeria. > > The 1978 encounter came a year after Okala had turned Camerounians into day dreamers. On April 16, 1977, the first international match at the new Calabar Stadium was between Tonnerre Kalara of Yaoundé and Enugu Rangers. Tonnerre had won the first Africa Winners Cup in 1975 but lost it to Shooting Stars, Ibadan in 1976. They came with Roger Milla. The Flying Antelopes gave them a 5-1 drubbing as Okala's face seemed to put Milla in a deep blue funk. > > Later in the year, another Yaoundé side, Canon Sportif, confronted Rangers in the finals of the third Africa Winners Cup. That was the top club in Cameroun at the time and had won the Africa Cup for Champion Clubs [today's CAF Champions' League] in 1971. > > The first leg was decided in Lagos. Rangers were merciless, trouncing the visitors 4-1. Their goalkeeper was Thomas Nkono. He was forced to visit the net so often as his defence succumbed to the fire power of the Flying Antelopes. With Sam Onyeaka, Nwachukwu Onyekwelu, Chimezie Ngadi, Aloy Atuegbu and Emma Merenini in top shape, Okala had little to worry about. > > The return leg at the Stade Omnisport, Yaoundé was billed for December 4, 1977. Canon were so sure the first leg advantage would be erased. After all, they were not Tonnerre who could not cancel the same margin when they fell to Shooting Stars in 1976. Canon meant firepower, yes, it was 'Canon Kpakum'.They apparently did not know that Rangers had many ex -Biafran soldiers. Coach Godwin Achebe, the 'Ide' himself was even an Instructor at the Biafran School of Infantry. > > Canon started well and were leading with a goal when the referee called off the match. There was down pour, the field was turning into a swimming pool. The fans were not happy that the rain gave the visitors a breather. The match officials knew that if they allowed the game to continue, it could only pass for a water polo match. Both teams were asked to come back in 24 hours. > > The hosts still bubbled with confidence. Canon had scored 18 goals in six matches on the way to the finals. They gained a walk over against Red Star of Congo in the first round. Rangers had played eight games and could boast of nine goals. Canon did not score less than two goals in Yaoundé. They defeated SC Bissau 7-1, silenced Kadiogo 4-1 and hit El Itihad 2-0. > > Achebe stuck to his formation of Okala in goal with Charles Adimora, Nnamdi Anyafo, Vincent Chika, Christian Chukwu and Ignatius Ilechukwu as defenders. In the mid field, he opted for Aloy Atuegbu, Christian Madu and Ogidi Ibeabuchi. Sam Onyeaka and Nwachukwu Onyekwelu were attacking. Francis Nwosu later came in for Chika while Emma Merenini replaced Onyeaka. > > Canon , founded, in 1930 were 40 years older than Rangers. The opposition could not escape defeat, so the Camerounians thought. Onyekwelu had scored in the Lagos first leg. Known as 'Igariga' he was huge and powerful. While the hosts were settling down, the bulky attacker fired a shot from close to the center circle. Nkono did not see it. He heard his net shake. Canon got one goal too. > > Then it became tough. Okala refused to be beaten. Mbida tried his best. Jeane Manga Onguene put in everything. The goals were denied by the giant between the Flying Antelopes' post. Theophile Abega, the 'Doctor' could not sedate Okala. They found him a hard nut to crack. Yaoundé fans thought there must be something about the Nigerian keeper. The match ended 1-1, Rangers lifted the Cup. > > Canon could not bear that loss. They claimed that Rangers would not have won if there was no Okala. It became a big issue. Cameounians swore that Okala was a Camerounian who chose to play in Nigeria and they were ready to bring him back to their country to man the posts.. > > Blaming them was not the best way out. There are Okalas in Cameroun. The first Foreign Minister of Independent Cameroun was Charles Rene-Guy Okala. He was Ahmadu Ahidjo's man and best remembered as the man who stood up at the United Nations in 1961 to speak against British Northern Cameroun [Adamawa Province] joining Nigeria. Like Emma Okala, Charles Okala was a Roman Catholic. > > His daughter, Nicole Okala Bilai, is the first Camerounian woman to lead a political party and she is today, a Senator. The lady has gone round jobs, from acting to modeling. Like Emma Okala , she was born in May. > > Okala is also the name of a town in Cameroun. It is in the Centre Region. One of their famous footballers, Elie Onana Eloundou was born there. There was also President of that country's Table Tennis Federation, a man known as D. Okala. Many were convinced that the man who punished Canon was indeed one of them, the defeat was that painful. > > Okala returned to Yaoundé with Rangers in 1978. It was the semi finals of the prestige Africa Cup of Champion Clubs and foes were Canon. It ended goalless in the Lagos first leg. In Yaoundé there was heavy rain again but the referee refused to stop the match, another barren draw. Both teams went into penalty kicks. Canon won 6-5. That was the only time the Camerounians enjoyed a better hand. > > With Okala out of the way, Canon were unstoppable. They won the CAF Champions League in 1978, lifted the Africa Winners Cup in 1979 and grabbed the CAF Champions League again in 1980. > > Okala must have had a good laugh. One of his younger brothers is Charles, but did not last long in soccer as a goalie. Patrick was going to step into his brother's shoes. He played in the grand finale of the Cote D'Ivoire '84 Africa Nations Cup. Nigeria lost 3-1 to Cameroun. At last Milla and Abega had beaten Okala but not Emmanuel. In 1988 and again in 2000, the Indomitable Lions defeated Eagles to win the Nations Cup. > > Emma Okala put Cameroun in his gloves all through his playing career. He was voted African Footballer of the Year by African Sports Journalists Union in 1978. Okala conquered Cameroun. When he quit, Nkono heaved a whiff of fresh air and attended three World Cups.](https://www.nextedition.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/download-1.jpeg)
Green Eagles keeper, Inua Lawal Rigogo went wild and elbowed the referee for awarding a dubious goal to hosts, Hawks of Togo in Lome. When the dazed man in black came to, he quickly sent out Kenneth Olayombo, the Nigerian wearing jersey number 8.
It happened in 1966 in what was Olayombo’s debut for the Eagles. Scores stood at 2-1 in favour of the visitors before the controversial goal. CAF did not waste time in slamming a three- year ban on the Nigerian striker.
Olayombo told me the story in a chat recently. It was like being punished for the sins of another.
He said : “It was on the way to the Mexico ’68 Olympic Games. The referee awarded a dubious goal to Togo, with scores standing at 2-1 in our favour. Our goalie, Rigogo, couldn’t take it. He rushed to the referee and elbowed him. I went to complain too”.
The dazed referee might have lost his senses. When he recovered he descended on the Nigerian debutant.
“I was shocked when the referee sent me out. He said it was No.8, that’s me, that hit him. To make matters worse CAF banned me for three years. You can imagine being punished for an offence you did not commit.
“However, sanity prevailed. Our team manager, Peter Osugo (Pecos) assured me that Nigeria would take up the case. Good news came when the ban was reduced to three months. I was an up and coming player, the ban really jolted me,” Olayombo added.
At that time he was playing for Lagos Railway and had the backing of General Manager of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Ikejiani who dubbed the star, ‘ My Pele’.
The Green Eagles qualified for the Olympics, Olayombo distinguished himself as the first Nigerian to score a brace in a global championship. And those two goals came against almighty Brazil.
Rigogo did not make the team to Mexico ’68. Apparently, the technical crew could not tolerate him even when the goalie was in splendid form. Yakubu Ibrahim, also known as Yakubu Bauchi was drafted as replacement. Peter Fregene manned the posts.
Rigogo was so spectacular that in 1964, Ghanaian leader, Kwame Nkrumah nicknamed him ‘Flying Cat’. The Osagyefo patted the keeper on the back. He also gave special attention to school boy international, Johnny Egbuonu.
Rigogo and Olayombo later played together at Army team, Lagos Garrison Organisation (LGO). One of their team mates, Paul ‘ Wonder Boy’ Hamilton was also at Mexico ’68.
Football was not fair to Rigogo. I met him in Kaduna in 1989. He was a sorry sight but cracked jokes with Chris Udemezue in Hausa. One player who got completely turned off by Rigogo was Paul Okoku. He was shocked to see a man who made name for self and country living like a destitute.
Olayombo’s career continued to rise. He won gold with the Green Eagles at the Lagos ’73 All Africa Games. Bronze came at the Ethiopia ’76 African Nations Cup. The striker hung his boots after the competition.
Olayombo also captained the national team for two years, between March 1973 and 1975. He handed over the captain’s band to Christian Chukwu.
“I was supposed to wear the captain’s band in 1972. Tony Igwe and I were the most senior since Godwin Achebe was a non playing captain. The lot fell on Victor Oduah simply because he was captain of Benin Vipers that won the Challenge Cup. There was all the razzmatazz of champion.
“Unfortunately, Oduah had groin injury and the skipper’s band came to me. In 1975, Rangers were the happening team. Double Champions for the second time and continental hopeful. Chukwu became captain. The coaches wanted Aloy Atuegbu, he came to me, saying he was too small.”
Olayombo started at St. Michael’s Primary School, Aba. He also attended Ngwa High School. His elder brother, Burniston, played for Aba Giant Killers and Nigeria. The Olayombos are the first brothers to feature for Nigeria at the African Nations Cup.
One of Ken Olayombo’s mates at St. Michael’s Aba, Chike Ndefo described him as a very good dribbler.
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“We attended St. Michael’s Primary School together in the 1950s. Ken was a very good dribbler. There was a general field between Market Road and Azikiwe Road. That’s where all of us grew up and played children’s football together. I remember the Mgbemenas, the Onwubuyas, Chikwendus, the Ndefos( my elder brother and I),” Ndefo said.
Ndefo also played soccer and had cause to tackle his friend at the First National Sports Festival in 1973.
“I played for Rivers while Olayombo played for Lagos State. Rivers defeated Lagos 1-0 to win the bronze medal. I had as team mates stars like Jossy Dombraye, Morton Owolo and centre forward, Sidney Ugorji, a poacher of a striker.”
Ndefo was at Enugu Rangers briefly before higher education took him to the University of Ibadan in 1974. A farewell party was organised for the trio of Dominic Ezeani who relocated to the US, Patrick Ekeji, bound for the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and Ndefo.
Olayombo was at WAAC, ECN, Railway, LGO, and also played for the Armed Forces at the France ’74 World Military Games and in the same competition in Damascus, Syria, 1978.
He trained at the University of Budapest, Hungary as a coach, with Okey Emordi who would later assist him at ACB, Lagos. Olayombo was at different times coach of P and T Lagos, Obanta, ACB, Udoji and Sunshine.
He is not just happy with the Nigerian Premier League.
“Go to the stadium. It is just like a burial ground. The players, I don’t even know their names. I don’t blame them though. Some are owed salary for six months. By this time, we should have been the best in Africa. I wish them all the best.”
