Recently, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, felicitated one of the few remaining Nigeria’s football icons, Emmanuel Oguejiofor Okala, as the latter celebrated his 74th Birthday. Okala, a goal keeper of great renown, shot into prominence when he joined the famous Rangers International Football Club of Enugu in the early seventies, inspiring them to many victories within and outside Nigeria.
The tallest goalkeeper the country has ever produced, Okala was known for his heroics between the sticks and was in 1978 named African Footballer of the Year for his exceptional performances by the then African Sports Journalists Union (ASJU), making him the first Nigerian and the only goalkeeper to receive this honour.
The Onitsha born former goal minder is truly a legendary personality, with many myths associated with him. Back in the day, he was at one time believed to possess superhuman qualities that made him invincible. Tales were woven about how his right leg was bought because whenever he used it to kick the ball, it would either fly out of the stadium or injure opposing players.
His invincibility perception was such that after Rangers were uncharacteristically beaten 3-1 by Mehalla of Egypt in the semi-final of the then African Cup of Champions in 1975 in Egypt, it was claimed by fans that the Egyptians employed juju which made Okala see three balls every time he wanted to catch the ball which led to the three goals he conceded.
Indeed, Okala was an exceptional goalkeeper known for making incredible saves. He played for both Rangers and the Green Eagles, as the Nigerian National Team was then known. There was no doubt that he inspired many to take to goal keeping.
Recently, during the visit of Nigeria’s President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to Anambra State, Gov Soludo, while naming the road to the new Government House, Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard, after former Secretary of the Common Wealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said that other prominent citizens of the state would have facilities named after them. That is indeed, a good idea. It is equally good that Anyaoku is being so honoured while he is alive, a sharp departure from doing so after one is dead.
In the same vein, we suggest that Okala, being the oldest sports icon still alive, should have an edifice like Awka Township Stadium named after him and his statue constructed there. It will be a fitting tribute to one who stood over the Football world in Nigeria and Africa like a colossus. Such an honour will also inspire others to give their best to their state, knowing it will not be in vain.
With Nigerian football still recovering from the death of Christian Chukwu, another icon, who captained both the Rangers and the Green Eagles, and ruing the fact that no appropriate honour was given to him during his lifetime, this is the time to avoid the same mistake in Okala’s case by having the Awka Township Stadium named after him, with an All Stars Match being organized in which he will receive the honour.
We hope that our Governor will consider this and make it happen. We wish Okala a happy 74th Birthday.
