Things really happened during the military years of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. In 1984,the quartet of Ademola Adesina, Bala Ali, Paul Okoku and Chibuzor Ehilegbu got the shocker of their lives when soldiers stormed the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and whisked them away.
Ehilegbu had checked into a London bound Nigeria Airways flight. His friends were getting set to board when a company of soldiers told them they were under arrest. All four were taken to the National stadium Suru-Lere with a stern warning that they risked their lives if they tried to turn professional overseas.
It sounded strange. The stars signed a deal with English side, Wolves, and had reached an agreement with Eagles’ coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, which would enable them pursue professional soccer in Europe while at the same time making themselves available if needed by country.
Onigbinde had led the team made up of youngsters to Africa Nations Cup silver earlier in the year. Captained by Stephen Keshi, the Eagles, continental champions in 1980, lost to Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions to bag their first silver in the tournament.
The Mexico ’86 World Cup qualifying matches were on the way so government thought allowing four players go professional would not help preparations. The football association did not deem it necessary to hear Onigbinde’s voice.
NFA chairman was Group Captain Tony Ikazobor, a man who played football in Jos and later for Stationery Stores. In 1984, he was an Air Force police red neck and felt the best way to instil discipline was by behaving like a Provost Marshal. Apparently, someone felt the boys were running away.
And they were outstanding at the 1984 Nations Cup. Ehilegbu was spectacular against defending champions, Ghana Black Stars, in Bouake. Henry Nwosu’s 13th minute goal was canceled by Opoku Nti in just four minutes. Ehilegbu struck in the 31st and that was the winner.
Ali’s goal came in the semi-finals against Egypt who were two up as early as the 38th minute. Keshi reduced the tally two minutes to intermission. The 75th minute equalizer kept full time scores at 2-2. The Eagles won 8-7 penalties.
In the grand finale against Cameroon, Okoku replaced Adesina while Ali gave way to Clement Temile. And although the Eagles began so well with a goal by Muda Lawal, the Indomitable Lions, powered by ‘doctor’ Theophile Abega and Roger Milla bounced back to win 3-1.
Onigbinde took a new set of players to the Nations Cup and did well. In 1982, as defending champions, the team was a huge disappointment losing out in the second round and creating an African record of keeper Peter Fregene deliberately putting the ball into his own net, in the 3-0 drubbing by Zambia.
Ikazoboh did not want to let go. That was how four bright young men who had dreams of turning professional abroad were denied a begging opportunity. They missed their flight but not their head.
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Okoku was smart. He flew to the United States on August 24, 1984, using his middle name, Lucky Okoku, to beat security. Instead of soccer, he chose education at the Alabama University. Ehilegbu also found his way to the US. Adesina continued with the game,turned professional in Belgium and won another Nations Cup silver in 1990.
Okoku and Ehilegbu were members of the 1983 Flying Eagles, the first Nigerian side to play in a FIFA championships. In the 1-0 defeat of Oleg Protasov’s Russia in Monterrey, Mexico, Okoku got the ball from Femi Olukanmi, wired it to Tarila Okoronwata who found the net.
Okoku, Keshi and the Olukanmi brothers, Femi and Segun, started playing at St. Paul’s Catholic School, Ebute Metta, Lagos. The same school produced Godwin Odiye and Ade Coker. Their first club was NICON, Lagos where they were joined by Chris Anigala.
While Chris ‘Ajillo’ Udemezue picked Ali Jeje as Flying Eagles captain, Okoku was made Vice Captain. He later played for Johnson Wyatt, Abiola Babes, National Bank and Leventis United respectively. Today he is doing well in America.
Ehilegbu, is a complete Aba Boy. At Golf Course Primary School, he was known as ‘Mkpurumkpu’. International exposure offerd itself in 1981 when his adopted college, Boys Secondary School Nkwerre,[BOYSCO] represented Nigeria at the International School Sport Federation[ISF], in Halmstad , Sweden.
Also in that team were such heavyweights as Ben Okorogu, Nicholas’Thunder’ Ukadike, Uwakwe Eke, Godwin Nosike, Mike Obi, Goal keeper Paul Yusuf and Leo Ekwueme[Acid].They were not as lucky as Nnamdi ‘Camel’ Nwokocha’s Christ the King College,[CKC] Onitsha in 1977.
In 1991, Reuben Agboola, was arrested by Immigration at the same airport. His offence was that he did not have a visa. The Swansea defender was in Lagos to make his Eagles debut against Benin Republic in a Senegal ’92 preliminary duel with Benin Republic. It took the NFA to rescue him.
Ikazoboh is also remembered for sacking Keshi from national team duties in 1985, an action that turned out to be a great blessing in disguise. Keshi, relocated to Stella, Abidjan from New Nigeria Bank, Benin. The door to professional life in Europe opened. Ikazoboh later came back as Sports minister in 1990.
