![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)
Libyan strongman, Muammar Gaddafi, was not passionate about football, he used it to advance political goals. Nigerian referee,Alhaji Salaudeen counted himself lucky to officiate in a match that brought the supreme leader to Tripoli Stadium.
In 1983, Gaddafi graced an African Cup of Champion Clubs ( today’s CAF Champions League) game between Al Ahly Tripoli and JET Algeria at the 65,000 capacity stadium. At the time, diplomatic ties between Libya and Algeria were not so smooth.
Algeria aligned with Tunisia in 1983 by signing the Treaty of Fraternity and Concord between both countries. Gaddafi felt bad with his erstwhile allies and responded in 1984 by looking towards Morroco with the Treaty of Oudja.
Their ties were cold when Salaudeen and linesmen, Linus Mba and Ibrahim Gobir took charge of the Al Ahli versus JET duel. The referee was not intimidated by Gaddafi’s presence and gave a good account of himself. The match ended 1-0 in favour of the Algerians.
It turned out to be a red letter day for the Nigerian trio. There was no crowd trouble, both sides behaved themselves and at the end JET Captain, Ali Fergani, the man who led the Desert Foxes to humiliate European champions, West Germany 2-1 at the España ’82 World Cup, could not hide his joy.
Salaudeen said : ” Both teams were satisfied with the officiating, the two skippers removed their jerseys and handed over to me. Libya and Algeria were not so friendly then. I was driven like a President, with my colleagues Mba and Gobir, to our Halif Hotel base. President Gaddafi watched the match.”
Of course, soccer won at the end of the day. Salaudeen was experienced having received the FIFA badge in 1981. He was also a soldier who joined the Army on September 17, 1968 during the Nigerian Civil War. In 1969, the soldier man became a Grade Three Referee.
Ahly Tripoli lost the second leg in Algeria 2-0 and were kicked out in the first round. Asante Kotoko of Ghana lifted the trophy much later after defeating Al Ahli or Egypt. Coach of the winning side, Ibrahim Sunday, a Nigerian from Kano, had also captained the Porcupines to win in 1970.
Salaudeen’s performance must have impressed FIFA. In 1985, he was chosen as one of the referees at the inaugural FIFA Under 17 Championships, China ’85 which was won by his country’s Golden Eaglets. Africa had two other referees at the competition.
Three other referees made name. Two positive, the other negative. Brazil’s Arnaldo Cezar Coelho, did three years earlier as grand finale handler in the game between Italy and West Germany. Carlos Esposito of Argentina was at the Mexico ’86 World Cup.
Christopher Bambridge of Australia put himself to shame when he did his worst to stop Nigeria from winning the China ‘ 85 tournament. The Aussie sent out right back Tuonworimi Duere in the bid to make things easier for West Germany in the final. Victor Igbinoba put everything beyond mischief with a second goal that silenced sponsors, Kodak.
Salaudeen returned to Nigeria and remained a first class referee after quitting the Army as a Warrant Officer. Gaddafi continued to play politics with soccer and even used his third son, Saadi to woo Europe and intimidate Libya. And there was no trophy to show for all the political interest.
In 1982, Ghana was so poor that the Black Stars were nearly going to miss the Libya ’82 Nations Cup. Gaddafi came to their rescue. The Ghanaians refused to play politics, they also refused to play ball. Ghana and Libya qualified for the grand finale. Full time scores were even. Extra time did not help matters. The hosts were edged out on penalties. Abedi Pele was just 17. That remains his lone African Nations Cup gold.
Saadi Gaddafi forced his way into big time soccer. The Gaddafis became part owners of Juventus, Italy. Saadi played at home for Al Ahli Tripoli and Al Ittihad. He even captained the Libyan national team.
The younger Gaddafi tried to change the face of Libyan soccer. Victor Ikpeba of the Super Eagles and Patrick Mboma, a Cameroonian Indomitable Lion were attracted to Tripoli. Another Nigerian, Chikelue Iloenyosi also hit the Libyan capital.
Saadi was a super power while Ikpeba and Mboma became superstars. In 2000, Ahly Benghazi were leading Ahli Tripoli 1-0 after 45 minutes. The referee awarded Saadi’s side two stupid penalties and manufactured an offside goal to make it 3-1.
The Benghazi boys could not take the madness. They walked out of the pitch. Saadi ordered his guards to move. The protesting players were guarded back to the pitch with guns smiling wryly at them. Play resumed and the March ended 3-1 for Saadi Gaddafi.
Then Europe saw Saadi. He joined Italian club Peruggia.It was more of razzmatazz. Diego Maradona was hired as Technical Consultant. Disgraced speed demon, Ben Johnson served as Trainer.
Saadi spent 2000 to 2007 in Italy but did not graduate beyond the level of a sub, most of the time warming the bench. When he was introduced, he was what Nollywood would call Waka Pass, which meant filling the numbers. Against Juventus his favourite club, Perrugia allowed him15 minutes. Against Cagliari, Udinese showed his face for just 10 minutes. Sampdoria could have picked him as Mascot.
It was business for the Europeans. Libyan oil could open doors even if Gaddafi was seen as a terrorist. Perrugia owner, Luciano Gauci was the same man who felt like firing Ahn Jung-hwan for scoring for South Korea against Italy at the 2002 World Cup.
Salaudeen was born in 1948, in Kawo Kaduna. Two years later, in 1950, Al Ahly Libya was formed. The club chose Green and white as colours. Those are the colours of the Nigerian national team too. Salaudeen played for Northern Region Academicals in 1966.
Salaudeen did not continue with active soccer when he joined the Army. Refereeing became more attractive. He became a Grade Two in 1973 and Grade One in 1975. Along the line, Hajia Aisha came into his life as better half.
Nigerians have continued to do good in Libya like Salaudeen did in 1983. Tony Osheku was there to train the country’s athletes. Izu Azuka played for Al Ittihad, against Nigerian teams. Before them, Nigerian soldiers parading as West African Frontier Forces had seen action in Tobruk during the Second World War.
