Enugu was perhaps the best place to watch a local derby in the 1970s. Leading clubs, Rangers and Vasco Da, Gama engaged in what made fans of AC Milan and Inter Milan look not so different from happenings in the Coal city.
Rangers were born in February 1970, just a month after the Civil war ended. Vasco came three months later. There was a difference. The Flying Antelopes were seen as the new spirit of Biafra. Vasco looked more like a new company of Nigerian invaders.
Vasco was founded by Jonathan Bioytre Ogufere, an Urhobo from Amukpe, Sapele in the Midwest. It was the team of the Post and Telegraph [Pand T]. Coach of the side was, Alabi Aisien, a Bini man. Many did not consider the fact that all the players were Igbo and some had fought for Biafra just like their Rangers counterparts.
One of the team officials, Augustine Otiji[AU Jah] was also Igbo. While Ogufere’s post was Territorial Controller, East for P and T, Otiji served as Head, National Trunk Maintenance.
Rangers’ coach, Dan Anyiam, was well known as national player and coach and was trained in the United Kingdom .Aisien, won no national medals. His best was playing for fairy tale team, Amukpe. But he was proud of his Leipzig, East Germany coaching certificate.
The best footballers in Igboland were in Rangers. Godwin Achebe, Luke Okpala, Mathias Obianika, Cyril Okosieme, Shedrack Ajaero, Ernest Ufele, Godwin Nwosa, Johnny ‘Wheeler’ Nwosu, Keneth Abana, Dominic Nwobodo,Teddy Anikputa, name them.
Vasco paraded Chris Ezekwesili, John [Gentleman] Onyeador, Charles Nwobodo[Wawawa], Charles Okoroigwe[Mortimor],Tony Uzoka, Okezie Maduekwe, Charles Aneke, Mike Igbokwe, Ndukwe Dike, O.J. Chukwu, Pat Obinwa among others.
Rangers never found it easy with their city rivals. In the 1971 Amachree Cup, Vasco were as good as the Flying Antelopes who eventually won the cup. The P and T Boys started so well against Lagos Rangers, ACB, leading 3-0. It was unthinkable but they eventually lost 4-3 to the bankers.
Vasco won the Bisalla Cup for clubs in the East Central State in 1972.In 1973, they won the Enugu League, Chidi Ebere Cup. That same year, in the National league, Vasco beat Rangers 2-1 in their first encounter and got a draw in the return leg. It was clear that Enugu had the best teams in Nigeria.
Little wonder, East Central State Spartans, made up of players from Rangers and Vasco , won the soccer gold medal of the Lagos’ 73 First National Sports Festival. Vasco players like Patrick Ekeji, Obed Ariri, John Nwadioha combined with Christian Chukwu, Emma Okalla, Dominic Ezeani and Keneth Ilodigwe to stun Plateau State 1-0 in the grand finale.
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The rivalry became tense after the ECS Academicals won the Adebajo/Manuwa Cup for secondary Schools in 1971. Captain Godwin Ogbueze moved to Rangers with some of his team mates. They were Chukwu, Ilodigwe, Ezeani, Ariri and Damian Odo.
Others like Ekeji, Ahamefula Umelo, Paul Agu[Babadudu] and Mathew Nwokeji[Trigger], joined Vasco. Ariri later crossed over to Vasco same year to join his Holy Ghost College, Owerri buddy, Ekeji[Power House]. Chukwu and Ezeani had been approached by Vasco, they chose Rangers instead.
There had been a Gentleman’s agreement between the two teams. No cross over. Vasco apparently forgot that Ariri joined from Rangers. So when Okoroigwe relocated to the Whites in 1973, the sister club shouted blue murder. That did not stop Rangers from weakening their rivals through poaching.
It became an unwritten policy. Anytime, Vasco became too troublesome, Rangers would raid their territory. After Okoroigwe, they went for Stanley[Englishman] Okoronkwo. It continued with Charles[Wagner] Adimora, Ignatius Ilechukwu, Okey Emordi and Mike Ogbodudu.
The more Rangers raided, the harder Vasco came. Charles[Old Ghana] Okorie, David Adiele, Christian Nwokocha, Nnamdi Egbukichi, James Udemba, Kevin Onwana, Peter Erege, Leo Nkwocha, Goddy Agbarakwe, Alphonsus Dike and Peter Uchegbu proved more stubborn than those who had left.
The last man standing, Ekeji, eventually teamed up with the Flying Antelopes late in 1977 when Jim Nwobodo was Chairman of the club. From then on many more followed. Ex-Vasco in Rangers could form a formidable squad.
Tony Orji, Okwuchukwu[Agarimojo] Obiora, Ibezim Ofoedu, Israel Anuna, Emesi Okereke, Obioha Achilefu, Uche Nwachukwu,Phinan Ozonweke, Sylvester Onwuekwe, Ike Enwezor, Chibuzor Ndubueze, Ejiofor Okolo,Ndubuisi Ajomiwe, Victor Okoh, Steve Aneke, Charles Ohagwu, Ikenna Ogenna, Gabriel Okonkwo, Chiedozie Obodozie, Akeem Ashiru, the list goes on…
It was not a one –way traffic though. Some Rangers players retired to Vasco. Obianika turned coach, Pat Okala, Ifeanyi Onyedika and Emma Osigwe went their to prove they were not finished. So did Chris Isiadinso, Canice Chime and Emeka Akabueze.
Ogufere was transferred to Lagos in 1975. Vaso survived. Pat Uchudiuno took over. Vasco went on relegation, came back as NITEL Vasco. In November 1996, the outfit was disbanded by the owners. The Akwa Ibom State government bought over their slot and founded Ibom Stars. Today, they are Akwa United.
Rangers tried all they could but could not kill Vasco Da Gama. It was NITEL that killed the team. Today, NITEL is on life support. Ogufere is old but very much alive.
