![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)
The last time Ghana defeated Nigeria at home in a World Cup qualifier was sixty one years ago. And right from that Chile ’62 test, the Black Stars are yet to qualify for the Mundial anytime they come across Green Eagles.
The Ghanaians have moved the Qatar 2022 play off against their perennial foes to Cape Coast. Ever since the hosts defeated Nigeria 4-1 in Accra in 1961, they have been unable to beat the Eagles in Accra in a World Cup qualifying game.
In the Mexico ’70 qualifier, Nigeria earned a 1-1 draw. Towards West Germany ’74, it was goalless. The same result was achieved in a Korea/ Japan 2002 qualifying match. Sadly for the Black Stars they did not go through even after defeating Nigeria 3-2 in Lagos in 1974.
The Eagles have a better story to tell. Thrashing Ghana 3-0 in Port Harcourt was just enough to send them to a third consecutive World Cup in 2002.
Ghanaians know the dark side of their Black Stars. Some team officials and players wear black magic like uniform. Apparently, they have been told by their voodoo priestess that Accra will lead to another crash.
So the match has been moved to Cape Coast, the land of Elmina Castle were black slaves were quartered before they were shipped to American plantations.
I am sure the belief is that taking the Eagles to Cape Coast is akin to moving slaves to the Point of No Return. All this concoction in the bid to stop the visitors from flying.
Let me shock Ghana. Cape Coast is good for Nigeria. It is a very lucky ground. The first time CAF introduced toss of the coin to decide a game was in that town. Stationery Stores of Lagos were winners.
In what was Nigeria’s debut at the African Cup for Champion Clubs ( what we know as CAF Cup today), Stores and Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs of Cape Coast were tied 4-4 aggregate scores in the 1968 second round. There was no away goals rule.
CAF decided to use toss of the coin as decider. The Nigerians won and had enough crabs for dinner. Cape Coast is full of Crabs and pet name for the Dwarfs is ‘The Crabs.’
In 2018, the Super Falcons were in Cape Coast Group B for the African Women’s Championships hosted by Ghana. In their very first match, the Nigerian senior female soccer national team lost 1-0 to South Africa.
And that was Falcons only only defeat. Subsequently, they pounded Zambia 4-0 and Equatorial Guinea ( with two Nigerians, Chinasa Okoro and Blessing Diala) 6-0 to advance to the semis.
The same Banyana Banyana came again the grand finale. It was a different story. The Super Falcons lifted the cup.
Elmina is also like home. That is where you will find Essiens in Ghana just like you have them in the Cross River/ Akwa Ibom axis of Nigeria. The King of Cape Coast from 1809 to 1898 was John Essien. That should remind some of Michael Essien, the one-time Chelsea star.
One Efik sounding name is Amba Eyiaba, Queen Mother Effutu. Cape Coast is a Fante town. Austin Eguavoen should not be surprised to learn of Eguafo in the old Fante Kingdom. He will see Venomous Vipers as a team in Cape Coast. Eguavoen’s Benin, had Vipers who won the Challenge Cup in 1972.
Something tells me juju will not work in Cape Coast. And Ghana falling to Nigeria at home is sports is no news.
In 1965, Sam Garba Okoye led Nigerian Academicals to stun Ghana 1-0 in Accra. That was the first time it would happen. In that Nigerian team were Tony Igwe, Peter Anieke and Ismaila Mabo.
Enugu Rangers hit Accra Great Olympics 2-0, thanks to Alex Nwosu and Kenneth Abana, in the first round of the African Champions Cup in 1975. The Coal City Boys also snatched Christian Madu from Oly who paraded stars like Awule Quaye, Joe Amartey and the Hammond Brothers, Obley and Sabban.
Later in the same year, Green Eagles defeated Black Stars 2-1 at the Second Nigeria/ Ghana Sports Festival, Accra ’75. Wingers Emeka Onyedika and Ogidi Ibeabuchi scored for the victors.
In the next eight years, Green Eagles truncated Black Stars march to the Los Angeles ’84 Olympic Games. After a barren draw in Kaduna, Chibuzor Ehilegbu showed class at away. Opoku Nti responded. Then John Omughele broke Ghana. Nigeria won 2-1.
In 2001, Nigerian Academicals, sponsored by Shell, stormed Accra with a 4-1 first leg advantage. Their hosts, equipped by Volta Aluminium Company ( VALCO) fought hard but were quite intimidated.
The game was 1-1 in 72 minutes. The worker in charge of floodlight disappeared. Referee called off the game. Later at a banquet, Charles Mensah, MD of Valco presented a surprise shield to captain Victor Adufor of Nigeria.
Head of delegation, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu was excited. Sports Minister, Ishaya Mark Aku was making his first foreign trip as a minister. Coach Jossy Lad, his assistant, Tajudeen Disu and Team Manager, Sola Akinwale were thrilled as well.
Shell Deputy Managing Director, Egbert Imomoh and External Relations Director, Basil Omiyi who came with his little daughter, enjoyed the scene at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Labadi Beach.
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What many did not know was that it had to do with the World Cup. The Black Stars were out of the qualifiers. Liberia’s chances were as good as Nigeria’s. Their navigator, George Oppong Weah had his plans and all the global influence.
Aikhomu revealed his mission to me. Vanguard man Patrick Omorodion was there too.
“After watching these Academicals today, I cannot fold my hands and watch the Eagles fail to go to the World Cup”, the admiral said.
As day broke, Aikhomu was at Osu Castle to see President John Kuffour, a lover of football and former Chairman of Asante Kotoko. That was the day Weah’s World Cup plot was dissected and buried. The Eagles qualified from the group.
In 2006, Enyimba beat Hearts of Oak 2-0 in the CAF Champions League at Obuasi. It was Hearts’ first loss at home in 24 years. Dele Aiyenugba saved a penalty. Ekene Emigo scored for the Elephants. The homers kicked in an own goal.
Elmina will turn to Obuasi. That will tell the story. I understand one Charlie, based in Agege has been roaming the Benin- Shagamu Highway in search of loonies.
A Ghanaian, Joseph Langabel confessed recently that his country sacrificed six mad men and one mad woman to win the FIFA Under 20 Youth Championships in 2009. Andre Dede Ayew was in that squad coached by Benjamin Sellas who played most of his soccer in Nigeria.
Unfortunately, Ayew, the Black Stars skipper is red and cannot play against Nigeria. All the mad people in Nigeria are relocating to Cape Coast to ask for their missing union members. And they are carrying Ghana Must Go Bags.
