Warriors do not shy away from battle. Maduka Emilio Okoye stands tall in front of goal at six feet, six inches. He is close in height to Emmanuel Okala and Agwo Nnaji. Manning the post for the Super Eagles means you must be bold and brave.
For a man who made his debut in 2019, against almighty Brazil, the sky can only be his limit. Okala was as young, if not younger when he earned a first cap in the Green Eagles team that defeated Taifa Stars in 1972.
Okoye was Eagles number One at the last African Nations Cup in Cameroon. A cheeky goal by the Carthage Eagles caused some Nigerian fanatics to blame the Cameroon 2021 disaster on the goalie.
Tunisia also caused Okala pain. The North Africans cost Nigeria a place at the Argentina ’78 World. Dependable defender, Godwin Odiye, in a bid to head the ball out of danger, found his effort inside the Eagles net. It ended 1-0 against Nigeria in Lagos.
Odiye was broken. Based on radio commentaries, many who did not watch the match felt that own goal should not have been. They thought Odiye could have done better.
Odiye did not run away from the team. His name became synonymous with own goals. Even today many do not remember Ogbein Fawole, Joseph Yobo or Troost Ekong, great defenders who also made mistakes. The name Odiye sticks.
However, Odiye progressed to win All Africa Games silver in 1978, checked out to the United States and returned in 1980 to win African Nations Cup gold.
Nigerian fanatics only bark, they do not bite. If they did, they would have mauled Peter Fregene in 1982. He is on record as the first to shoot the ball into his own net at the Nations Cup.
Green Eagles were in Libya as defending champions. They defeated Ethiopia 3-0 in their Benghazi Group B opening game. In the next match, 1980 grand finale losers, Desert Foxes of Algeria beat them 2-1.
Nigeria needed a good result against Zambia in the last group match. Kenneth Kaunda Eleven had never lost to Nigeria at the Championships. Both teams drew goalless at Ghana ’78.
The Zambians scored, got another goal in the 80th minute and just a minute later, Fregene made it so easy for them. The defending champions were bundled out after that 3-0 disgrace. Fregene was no ordinary keeper. He was the first Nigerian to keep at the Olympic Games, in 1968.
Zambia caused Nigerian what General Yakubu Gowon saw as national embarrassment in 1973. Earlier in the year, the Green Eagles had won All Africa Games gold, with Okala in goal, although he was injured twice. Eyo Essien was the handy replacement.
The same team, without Okala, lay flat on the field after Zambia hammered them 5-1 in Lusaka. It was an Egypt ’74 African Nations Cup qualifier. Nigeria did not make it. Gowon disbanded the team. Back home, fans did not attack anyone. I guess, Joe Erico Okafor was in goal.
Wilfred Agbonavbare was rechristened Agbonabasket after Togo bombed Nigeria 5-2 in a 1984 ECOWAS Cup match. He did not stay away from the team. The same goalkeeper was in goal as Nigeria qualified for a first World Cup. He alternated with Peter Rufai. Aloy Agu was there at the beginning.
The trio were in the team that lifted the African Nations Cup at Tunisia ’94 and moved ahead to the USA ’94 World Cup. Agbonavbare never gave up.
Agu has his own stories to tell. Mazi Okoye should listen to him as a Goalkeeper trainer. Algeria put five goals past the Nigerian goalie in the opening match of the Algiers ’90 African Nations Cup.
Some fanatics wanted Agu crucified. Clemens Westerhof did not listen to them. The keeper who also captained the team was in goal when Algeria and Nigeria met again in the grand finale. The North Africans, led by Rabah Madjer, were just lucky to triumph 1-0.
Agu and his team mates arrived to a rousing reception in Lagos. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida sent Adm. Murtala Nyako to receive them at the Murtala Mohammed Airport. I remember seeing Col. Abdusalam Abubakar there, as naira rained.
Agu led Nigeria to bronze at the Senegal ’92 African Nations Cup. The Eagles lost in the semis to Abedi Pele inspired Black Stars. Many blamed Austine Eguavoen for Abedi’s winning goal.
Eguavoen did not run away. He won Nations Cup in 1994 and was at the World Cup. The same Eguavoen was Maduka’s coach when Tunisia stopped Nigeria in Garoua.
Maduka should get close to Vincent Enyeama, the most decorated Nigerian goal tender. The latter was captain of Enyimba until Ismaili knocked the Elephants cold in in Ismailia in 2003.
It was the first Group match of the CAF Champions League. The Egyptians won 6-1. No Nigerian keeper has conceded six goals in the History of the competition. Enyeama lost his Captain’s band for that embarrassment.
We all know the Enyeama story. Enyimba went back to Ismailia to grab the cup, the first time for Nigeria after an almost 50-year jinx. And who was in goal? Vincent Enyeama.
I watched him in Ismailia and watched his World Cup debut against England in Osaka, Japan in 2002. Enyeama captained Nigeria to win the African Nations Cup in 2013 and stands out as the only Nigerian to have kept in three World Cups.
The lesson here is that winners do not quit. Agbonavbare did not quit when he was turned to Agbonabasket. Agu stayed out after Algeria and Ismaili only made Enyeama stronger.
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Maduka has not conceded five goals in one game. Even Carl O’Dwyer who let in seven goals against Ghana in 1955, remained a gentleman and was part of the Eagles coaching crew that won the Nations Cup in 1980.
Maduka was at Sparta Rotterdam. That name resonates in Enugu. Janusz Kowalik was brought to Rangers as coach in 1988. He was top scorer for the Dutch team five years consecutively.
As Flying Antelopes coach, one of his four keepers was a Maduka. Yes, Fancy Maduka. There was a striker, Ejike Okoye. Remove Fancy from Maduka, drop Ejike from Okoye. What do you get? Maduka Okoye.
Maduka Emilio Okoye has a place in the national team. There was an Emilio before him. John Emilio played with Fregene at the Mexico ’68 Olympic Games. An Okoye was there too, Sam Garba Okoye. Nigeria once had a Sam Okoye in goal.
The Igbo have a saying, ‘ ana aso mgbagbu aga ogu’ (you do not dread death when going to war). Soccer fans go crazy at times. It helps to up the game of their idols.
Ask Austin Okocha how Lagos fans stoned the Eagles after a barren game with Congo in 2000. The same Okocha is their king today.
Okocha’s nephew, Alex Iwobi was villified after the loss to Tunisia. He is back now and after the 2-1 loss to Mexico recently, they want more of him.
Francis Uzoho is back. Calvin Bassey has become fans’ favourite again. That is Nigerian football. Okoye should join the next available flight to the Eagles camp.
Patrick Owomoyela rejected Eagles, not much was heard about him after. Chinedu Ede and Dennis Aogo wanted to play. They could not make it. These have German moms too. Nkechi Madubuko came and did not stay for long.
If Maduka does not report to camp ‘ shaperly’, I can confirm that an armed group of females will fly to Germany to abduct and turn him in. The ladies are missing him, their macho Man, Mr. Right.Haba, Maduka come back home, at least, for the sake of your millions of female supporters.
