![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)
History, they say, never alters much in its texture. This is playing out in the home of Nigerian tennis veteran, Sadiq Abdullahi, as his sons chose basketball ahead of dad’s area of recognition.
The senior Abdullahi was one of the big names in tennis in the 1980s when he was national champion three times consecutively and represented the country at the Seoul ’88 Olympic Games. His boys, Sadiq, Jnr. and Malik are dunking in the United States.
Malik’s Columbus Explorers are the new Florida State high school champions. It is their second time of climbing the podium.
I asked Sadiq Abdullahi why he lost his children to basketball instead of encouraging them to follow their father’s tennis footsteps. His defence was more of a journey into the past which was education to me.
Sadiq said: “Sadiq Jnr. and Malik chose basketball, my first love. I was the best centre at the 1977 National Sports Festival. Sam Ahmedu was my point guide. We lost the bronze medal to Johnie Isebor’s Bendel State.”
Ahmedu later joined the Army where he retired as a colonel. He is better known as the man who moved Dodan Warriors basketball club to greater heights. Dr. Isebor veered into journalism and still holds ground overseas.
Sadiq was such a good player that they found a nickname for him, ‘Basket’ at St. Paul’s (Kufena) College, Wusasa, Zaria.
Love for basketball also affected his performance in tennis at the Kaduna ’77 Third National Sports Festival.
“I was seeded numberTwo. I lost to William Ogene of Bendel State in the first round because I had a late basketball game and Willy came back the next day to upset me. Friday Otabor was seeded number One,” Sadiq explained.
I reminded him that Felix Owolabi played soccer for Team Kaduna in 1977. They lost the gold medal to Imo State Trojans, captained by ex- Eagles and Enugu Rangers left back, Harrison Mecha. Final scores stood at 2-0.
“Yes, Owo and I are very close. He attended Katsina Teacher’s College. I was also into athletics. I was Kaduna State 400 metres champion. Ahmedu was the Triple Jump champion.”
Sportsmen and versatility. Nnamdi Azikiwe, was national tennis champion. He played soccer for Lagos Diamond in 1923 and Zik’s Athletics Club (ZAC) in 1938. At Storer College, West Virginia, Zik was voted All Rounder in Athletics,1926.
Zik dropped his English name Benjamin because he was denied the opportunity to take part in the 1934 British Empire (Commonwealth) Games. He was also a welterweight boxer and swimmer.
One of Zik’s players at ZAC, Albert Osakwe, was a good quarter miler and cricketer. He captained Oxford University against Cambridge University in 1942. Osakwe ended up as a diplomat and was Nigerian Ambassador to Congo in 1966. He escaped death in the July 1966 counter coup.
Titus Okere who turned 94 recently in Kent, UK is the first Nigeria to play professional soccer abroad. He signed for Swindon Town in 1953. ‘Diamond Toes,’ one of the 1949 UK Tourists was a sprinter and High Jumper as well.
Veteran journalist, Peter Osugo, also known as Pecos, was national 440 yards champion in 1949 as a student of St. Gregory’s College, Lagos. He is best remembered as the Team Manager who renamed the national team Green Eagles, from Red Devils.
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Peter Esiri was national Long Jump champion in 1950. He won a silver medal at the Vancouver 1954 Commonwealth Games. He also played soccer for Amukpe Eleven and won a Challenge Cup silver.
Of course, we all remember that Emma Ifeajuna won Nigeria’s first Commonwealth gold in Vancouver. Another gold nearly came from the 4x100m quartet of Abdulkarim Amu, Babs Olowu, Edward Ajado and Musliu Arogundade. They finished in 41.3seconds, just like the Canadian team. Photo finish favoured the hosts.
Sunday Dankaro was the second best Triple Jumper in the country, 1950. He also played soccer with his brothers, John and David. John was one of the 1949 UK Tourists. Sunday later became NFA chairman.
Another UK 1949 Tourist, ATB Ottun, Rock of Gibraltar, was Hop Step and Jump champion in 1952. Unfortunately, he committed suicide at the Lagos Lagoon out of frustration after studying abroad.
One time national welterweight boxing champion, Suleman, better hailed as ‘ Small Montana’ played for the national soccer team as well.
Goalie Emma Okala played Table Tennis for East Central State. Another , Joe Erico won bronze for Lagos State in High Jump at the Lagos ’73 First National Sports Festival. Super Falcons star, Nkeiru Okosieme played Table Tennis for Imo State. Her dad, Cyril was pioneer goalkeeper, Enugu Rangers. Her brother, Ndubuisi played for Green Eagles.
Richard Owubokiri was a good volleyballer at Okrika Grammar School until coach Monday Sinclair spotted and turned him to a top class footballer. Chioma Ajunwa, the country’s first Olympic Games gold medalist was at the FIFA Women’s Championships, China ’91 as a Super Falcon. She is a good boxer too.
As the Abdullahis continue with basketball, I begin to wonder why the children of our sports veterans living in America are so much in love with the sport.
Godwin Ogbueze captained Nigeria Academicals in 1972. His son, Braxton played for the national basketball team, D’Tigers. Dominic Ezeani won All Africa Games gold with the Green Eagles in 1973 and captained Rangers to their first Challenge Cup victory in 1974. His sons, Dominic Jnr. and Jason took to basketball.
Sam Onyeaka was African Winners Cup champion with the Flying Antelopes in 1977. His son, Kevin played basketball for Pennsylvania State University.
