1973 Green Eagles

Where Eagles dare! Discuss Nigerian related football (soccer) topics here.

Moderators: Moderator Team, phpBB2 - Administrators

ukwala
Egg
Egg
Posts: 2894
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:50 am
Location: Nigeria
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by ukwala »

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
FATHER TIKO wrote:
TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:
Goldleaf wrote:Image

Can anyone attempt to name any member of the 1973 All Africa Games gold winning Green Eagles apart from then Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon?
Backrow: Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo, Sanni Mohammed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie, Tony Otah.

Middle row: Coach Dan Anyiam, Jossy Dombraye, Sunny Oyarekhua, Victor Oduah, General Gowon, Hakuna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo,Yomi Bamiro, Godwin Achebe

Squatting: Tony lgwe, Dominic Ezeani, Eyo Essien, Sylvester Engorge, Gideon Njoku, Emmanuel Okala


Cheers.
:thumb: Oga TTK, no vex, but that guy with moustache no be Dan Anyiam o... I no know him name, but no be Dan Anyiam be that...

Otherwise, good job...95% :thumbs:
Nah...he saw expo. That list (verbatim) is circulating with the pic on Whatsapp
He even repeated the same mistakes on Whatsapp....Sylvester Engorge?? It is Sylvester Egborge, and Haruna not Hakuna (Ilerika)!!!
User avatar
Chief Ogbunigwe
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 40560
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2003 2:35 pm
Location: Somewhere
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Chief Ogbunigwe »

ukwala wrote:
Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
FATHER TIKO wrote:
TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:
Goldleaf wrote:Image

Can anyone attempt to name any member of the 1973 All Africa Games gold winning Green Eagles apart from then Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon?
Backrow: Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo, Sanni Mohammed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie, Tony Otah.

Middle row: Coach Dan Anyiam, Jossy Dombraye, Sunny Oyarekhua, Victor Oduah, General Gowon, Hakuna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo,Yomi Bamiro, Godwin Achebe

Squatting: Tony lgwe, Dominic Ezeani, Eyo Essien, Sylvester Engorge, Gideon Njoku, Emmanuel Okala


Cheers.
:thumb: Oga TTK, no vex, but that guy with moustache no be Dan Anyiam o... I no know him name, but no be Dan Anyiam be that...

Otherwise, good job...95% :thumbs:
Nah...he saw expo. That list (verbatim) is circulating with the pic on Whatsapp
He even repeated the same mistakes on Whatsapp....Sylvester Engorge?? It is Sylvester Egborge, and Haruna not Hakuna (Ilerika)!!!
:lol: :lol: :lol:
AFCON 2019 sweet o
Barren for 37 yrs no good o

New member and Titled Chief, Distant Gunners Consortium.
"This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water."
User avatar
maceo4
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 46728
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2003 6:41 am
Location: Land of the Terrapins
Contact:
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by maceo4 »

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
ukwala wrote:
Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
FATHER TIKO wrote:
TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:
Goldleaf wrote:Image

Can anyone attempt to name any member of the 1973 All Africa Games gold winning Green Eagles apart from then Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon?
Backrow: Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo, Sanni Mohammed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie, Tony Otah.

Middle row: Coach Dan Anyiam, Jossy Dombraye, Sunny Oyarekhua, Victor Oduah, General Gowon, Hakuna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo,Yomi Bamiro, Godwin Achebe

Squatting: Tony lgwe, Dominic Ezeani, Eyo Essien, Sylvester Engorge, Gideon Njoku, Emmanuel Okala


Cheers.
:thumb: Oga TTK, no vex, but that guy with moustache no be Dan Anyiam o... I no know him name, but no be Dan Anyiam be that...

Otherwise, good job...95% :thumbs:
Nah...he saw expo. That list (verbatim) is circulating with the pic on Whatsapp
He even repeated the same mistakes on Whatsapp....Sylvester Engorge?? It is Sylvester Egborge, and Haruna not Hakuna (Ilerika)!!!
:lol: :lol: :lol:
TTTK is a special breed :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:
Super Eagus 4 Life!
Made in the image of God that's a selfie!
User avatar
Gotti
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 32049
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 6:20 am
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Gotti »

FATHER TIKO wrote: :thumb: Oga TTK, no vex, but that guy with moustache no be Dan Anyiam o... I no know him name, but no be Dan Anyiam be that...

Otherwise, good job...95% :thumbs:
That looks like the late Henry Adefope (retired as Major-General)...
Who was a member of the International Olympic Committee for 21 years from 1985-2006.
Last edited by Gotti on Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
#ENDSARS #BLM
#ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY


#FREESENEGAL
User avatar
Sir V
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 15217
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:09 pm
Location: UK
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Sir V »

Goldleaf wrote:Image

Can anyone attempt to name any member of the 1973 All Africa Games gold winning Green Eagles apart from then Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon?

This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
"If winning isn't important, why do we spend all that money on scoreboards?“ --Chuck Coonradt
User avatar
Gotti
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 32049
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 6:20 am
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Gotti »

Sir V wrote: This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
So the picture was from Sunny...

A year later in 1974, Sunny and Ezeani had emigrated to the US (on scholarships) and were part of the only ever team to win the US's NCAA championship unbeaten and untied - the Howard University Bison, together with Tunde Balogun (son of Thunder Balogun), Muyiwa Sanya, Yomi Bamiro, and the late Kendo Illodigwe (with Illodigwe, scoring the winning goal in the championship game).

Source: Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar - The Life Story of Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips
Last edited by Gotti on Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.
#ENDSARS #BLM
#ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY


#FREESENEGAL
User avatar
Sir V
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 15217
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:09 pm
Location: UK
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Sir V »

Gotti wrote:
Sir V wrote: This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
So the picture was from Sunny...

A year later in 1974, Sunny and Ezeani had emigrated to the US (on federal government scholarships) and were part of the only ever team to win the US's NCAA championship unbeaten and untied - together with Tunde Balogun (son of Thunder Balogun), Muyiwa Lawal, Yomi Bamiro, and the late Kendo Illodigwe (with Illodigwe, scoring the winning goal in the championship game).

Source: Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar - The Life Story of Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips
The picture was not from sunny. He is friend with the guy who posted it on facebook.

He said this before he posted the names of the full squad.

" I believe, starting middle row was Col. Henry Adefokpe, then Chaiman of the Nigerian Sports Commission. The Coaches were not included in this photograph.
In the same row, that's Paulinus Ejike before Godwin Achebe.
Yomi Bamiro made it into The Eagles after The All African games.
Thanks everyone.
"
"If winning isn't important, why do we spend all that money on scoreboards?“ --Chuck Coonradt
User avatar
Kabalega
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 18727
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:44 pm
Location: Here
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Kabalega »

Sir V wrote:
Goldleaf wrote:Image

Can anyone attempt to name any member of the 1973 All Africa Games gold winning Green Eagles apart from then Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon?

This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
What are the bronze medals for...?
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Enugu II
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 23614
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 2:39 am
Location: Super Eagles Homeland
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Enugu II »

heavyd,

Anieke was part of the team going back to 1965 and up to 1973. However, the photo presented here is specifically of the team that won the 2nd All Africa Games and when they were received by the then Head of State, General Gowon. Peter Anieke was not part of that team. But right after winning the tournament, the team fumbled their first home came 2-3 to Ghana in a World Cup qualifier which led to the likes of Peter Anieke being recalled to the team.
heavyd wrote:
TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:
Goldleaf wrote:Image

Can anyone attempt to name any member of the 1973 All Africa Games gold winning Green Eagles apart from then Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon?
Backrow: Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo, Sanni Mohammed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie, Tony Otah.

Middle row: Coach Dan Anyiam, Jossy Dombraye, Sunny Oyarekhua, Victor Oduah, General Gowon, Hakuna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo,Yomi Bamiro, Godwin Achebe

Squatting: Tony lgwe, Dominic Ezeani, Eyo Essien, Sylvester Engorge, Gideon Njoku, Emmanuel Okala


Cheers.
Wasnt Peter Anieke part of the 1973 Team?
Have to be honest dont recognise most of them either
Last edited by Enugu II on Tue Nov 06, 2018 12:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The difficulties of statistical thinking describes a puzzling limitation of our mind: our excessive confidence in what we believe we know, and our apparent inability to acknowledge the full extent of our ignorance and the uncertainty of the world we live in. We are prone to overestimate how much we understand about the world and to underestimate the role of chance in events -- Daniel Kahneman (2011), Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
ogiso
Egg
Egg
Posts: 1521
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 12:20 pm
Location: UK
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by ogiso »

Chei! 1973! At that time Nigeria was a story that my parents told. Wasn't taken home until 1974.
User avatar
heavyd
Egg
Egg
Posts: 4286
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:28 pm
Location: UK
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by heavyd »

Enugu II wrote:heavyd,

Anieke was part of the team going back to 1965 and up to 1973. However, the photo presented here is specifically of the team that won the 2nd All Africa Games and when they were received by the then Head of State, General Gowon. Peter Anieke was not part of that team. But right after winning the tournament, the team fumbled their first home came 2-3 to Ghana in a World Cup qualifier which led to the likes of Peter Anieke being recalled to the team.
heavyd wrote:
TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:
Goldleaf wrote:Image

Can anyone attempt to name any member of the 1973 All Africa Games gold winning Green Eagles apart from then Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon?
Backrow: Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo, Sanni Mohammed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie, Tony Otah.

Middle row: Coach Dan Anyiam, Jossy Dombraye, Sunny Oyarekhua, Victor Oduah, General Gowon, Hakuna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo,Yomi Bamiro, Godwin Achebe

Squatting: Tony lgwe, Dominic Ezeani, Eyo Essien, Sylvester Engorge, Gideon Njoku, Emmanuel Okala


Cheers.
Wasnt Peter Anieke part of the 1973 Team?
Have to be honest dont recognise most of them either
Yep you are correct Prof!
I have a picture in my book of Tony Igwe, Okala, Anieke and Erico where i errorneously referred to them as members of the 1973 team!

That game against Ghana ended in a riot when Ghana scored a last minute goal which some say was offside. The game was abandoned at 2-3 and eventually awarded 0-2 to Ghana with the return finishing 0-0.
The also got themselves knocked out of the African Nations Cup qualifiers with a shock 7-4 aggregate loss to Zambia.
YNWA
bully12
Egg
Egg
Posts: 4199
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:05 pm
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by bully12 »

Gotti wrote:
Sir V wrote: This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
So the picture was from Sunny...

A year later in 1974, Sunny and Ezeani had emigrated to the US (on scholarships) and were part of the only ever team to win the US's NCAA championship unbeaten and untied - the Howard University Bison, together with Tunde Balogun (son of Thunder Balogun), Muyiwa Sanya, Yomi Bamiro, and the late Kendo Illodigwe (with Illodigwe, scoring the winning goal in the championship game).

Source: Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar - The Life Story of Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips
Gotti please helped out . I have always wondered about this. If Ezeani has continued playing who could have a been a better player Christain Chukwu or Ezeani?
User avatar
Sir V
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 15217
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:09 pm
Location: UK
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Sir V »

bully12 wrote:
Gotti wrote:
Sir V wrote: This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
So the picture was from Sunny...

A year later in 1974, Sunny and Ezeani had emigrated to the US (on scholarships) and were part of the only ever team to win the US's NCAA championship unbeaten and untied - the Howard University Bison, together with Tunde Balogun (son of Thunder Balogun), Muyiwa Sanya, Yomi Bamiro, and the late Kendo Illodigwe (with Illodigwe, scoring the winning goal in the championship game).

Source: Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar - The Life Story of Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips
Gotti please helped out . I have always wondered about this. If Ezeani has continued playing who could have a been a better player Christain Chukwu or Ezeani?
I would go for Chukwu. He was a top class defender.
"If winning isn't important, why do we spend all that money on scoreboards?“ --Chuck Coonradt
User avatar
Sir V
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 15217
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:09 pm
Location: UK
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Sir V »

heavyd wrote:
Enugu II wrote:heavyd,

Anieke was part of the team going back to 1965 and up to 1973. However, the photo presented here is specifically of the team that won the 2nd All Africa Games and when they were received by the then Head of State, General Gowon. Peter Anieke was not part of that team. But right after winning the tournament, the team fumbled their first home came 2-3 to Ghana in a World Cup qualifier which led to the likes of Peter Anieke being recalled to the team.
heavyd wrote:
TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:
Goldleaf wrote:Image

Can anyone attempt to name any member of the 1973 All Africa Games gold winning Green Eagles apart from then Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon?
Backrow: Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo, Sanni Mohammed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie, Tony Otah.

Middle row: Coach Dan Anyiam, Jossy Dombraye, Sunny Oyarekhua, Victor Oduah, General Gowon, Hakuna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo,Yomi Bamiro, Godwin Achebe

Squatting: Tony lgwe, Dominic Ezeani, Eyo Essien, Sylvester Engorge, Gideon Njoku, Emmanuel Okala


Cheers.
Wasnt Peter Anieke part of the 1973 Team?
Have to be honest dont recognise most of them either
Yep you are correct Prof!
I have a picture in my book of Tony Igwe, Okala, Anieke and Erico where i errorneously referred to them as members of the 1973 team!

That game against Ghana ended in a riot when Ghana scored a last minute goal which some say was offside. The game was abandoned at 2-3 and eventually awarded 0-2 to Ghana with the return finishing 0-0.
The also got themselves knocked out of the African Nations Cup qualifiers with a shock 7-4 aggregate loss to Zambia.
The team and date of the match.

10 February 1973, Lagos
Nigeria 2 (Olayombo, Mambo)
Ghana 3 (Owusu 18, 55, 82)
Referee:Paul Nkounkou (Congo-Brazzaville)
* Match abandoned after 87 minutes. Ghana awarded 2-0 win
Nigeria:Emmanuel Okala, Tony Igwe, Morton Owolo, Sanni Mohammed, Victor Oduah, Dominic Ezeani, Gideon Njoku, Yakubu Mambo, Haruna Ilerika, Kenneth Olayombo, Josiah Dombraiye
"If winning isn't important, why do we spend all that money on scoreboards?“ --Chuck Coonradt
Enugu II
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 23614
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 2:39 am
Location: Super Eagles Homeland
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Enugu II »

Sir V wrote:
bully12 wrote:
Gotti wrote:
Sir V wrote: This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
So the picture was from Sunny...

A year later in 1974, Sunny and Ezeani had emigrated to the US (on scholarships) and were part of the only ever team to win the US's NCAA championship unbeaten and untied - the Howard University Bison, together with Tunde Balogun (son of Thunder Balogun), Muyiwa Sanya, Yomi Bamiro, and the late Kendo Illodigwe (with Illodigwe, scoring the winning goal in the championship game).

Source: Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar - The Life Story of Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips
Gotti please helped out . I have always wondered about this. If Ezeani has continued playing who could have a been a better player Christain Chukwu or Ezeani?
I would go for Chukwu. He was a top class defender.
Sir V,

While it is possible, note that Ezeani was always considered better before he left for the USA. Note that both of them were in the East Central State and Nigerian Academicals together. What most people did not know is that Chukwu was not centre back then for both ECS and Nigeria Acada. Ezeani was the centreback guy and in some cases with Tunde Martins from Lagos or Innocent "Staggar Lee" Nwokeji of ECS. Chukwu was left back. Ezeani was a starter before Chukwu in Rangers and was captain ahead of Chukwu as well. Then coming out of ECS Academicals, he was the first from that team to make the full national team as centreback pairing Oduah at the All Africa Games on most occasions. He was then playing ahead of the old sage Godwin Achebe. Nevertheless, this was before Chukwu broke through as top notch player after he was called up to the national team in 1974. Just my tuppence.
The difficulties of statistical thinking describes a puzzling limitation of our mind: our excessive confidence in what we believe we know, and our apparent inability to acknowledge the full extent of our ignorance and the uncertainty of the world we live in. We are prone to overestimate how much we understand about the world and to underestimate the role of chance in events -- Daniel Kahneman (2011), Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
bully12
Egg
Egg
Posts: 4199
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:05 pm
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by bully12 »

Enugu II wrote:
Sir V wrote:
bully12 wrote:
Gotti wrote:
Sir V wrote: This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
So the picture was from Sunny...

A year later in 1974, Sunny and Ezeani had emigrated to the US (on scholarships) and were part of the only ever team to win the US's NCAA championship unbeaten and untied - the Howard University Bison, together with Tunde Balogun (son of Thunder Balogun), Muyiwa Sanya, Yomi Bamiro, and the late Kendo Illodigwe (with Illodigwe, scoring the winning goal in the championship game).

Source: Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar - The Life Story of Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips
Gotti please helped out . I have always wondered about this. If Ezeani has continued playing who could have a been a better player Christain Chukwu or Ezeani?
I would go for Chukwu. He was a top class defender.
Sir V,

While it is possible, note that Ezeani was always considered better before he left for the USA. Note that both of them were in the East Central State and Nigerian Academicals together. What most people did not know is that Chukwu was not centre back then for both ECS and Nigeria Acada. Ezeani was the centreback guy and in some cases with Tunde Martins from Lagos or Innocent "Staggar Lee" Nwokeji of ECS. Chukwu was left back. Ezeani was a starter before Chukwu in Rangers and was captain ahead of Chukwu as well. Then coming out of ECS Academicals, he was the first from that team to make the full national team as centreback pairing Oduah at the All Africa Games on most occasions. He was then playing ahead of the old sage Godwin Achebe. Nevertheless, this was before Chukwu broke through as top notch player after he was called up to the national team in 1974. Just my tuppence.
Thanks a lot Mr Enugu 11 . I recalled in 1974 my uncle who was a friend to Johnny Nwadiaoha and Patrick Ekeji took me Enugu to watch Rangers versus Vasco. My uncle was the games master of my school and he knew I loved soccer a lot. We went to Johnny's house he told my uncle the best players in Rangers were Dominic Ezeani , Okala and Dominic Nwaobodo. So we went to watch the match I paid a close attention on the 3 players. One thing I noticed with Ezeani he seemed he could defy gravity and hang in the air more than any person I have see in life. I guess shortly he left for USA
User avatar
heavyd
Egg
Egg
Posts: 4286
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:28 pm
Location: UK
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by heavyd »

bully12 wrote:
Enugu II wrote:
Sir V wrote:
bully12 wrote:
Gotti wrote:
Sir V wrote: This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
So the picture was from Sunny...

A year later in 1974, Sunny and Ezeani had emigrated to the US (on scholarships) and were part of the only ever team to win the US's NCAA championship unbeaten and untied - the Howard University Bison, together with Tunde Balogun (son of Thunder Balogun), Muyiwa Sanya, Yomi Bamiro, and the late Kendo Illodigwe (with Illodigwe, scoring the winning goal in the championship game).

Source: Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar - The Life Story of Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips
Gotti please helped out . I have always wondered about this. If Ezeani has continued playing who could have a been a better player Christain Chukwu or Ezeani?
I would go for Chukwu. He was a top class defender.
Sir V,

While it is possible, note that Ezeani was always considered better before he left for the USA. Note that both of them were in the East Central State and Nigerian Academicals together. What most people did not know is that Chukwu was not centre back then for both ECS and Nigeria Acada. Ezeani was the centreback guy and in some cases with Tunde Martins from Lagos or Innocent "Staggar Lee" Nwokeji of ECS. Chukwu was left back. Ezeani was a starter before Chukwu in Rangers and was captain ahead of Chukwu as well. Then coming out of ECS Academicals, he was the first from that team to make the full national team as centreback pairing Oduah at the All Africa Games on most occasions. He was then playing ahead of the old sage Godwin Achebe. Nevertheless, this was before Chukwu broke through as top notch player after he was called up to the national team in 1974. Just my tuppence.
Thanks a lot Mr Enugu 11 . I recalled in 1974 my uncle who was a friend to Johnny Nwadiaoha and Patrick Ekeji took me Enugu to watch Rangers versus Vasco. My uncle was the games master of my school and he knew I loved soccer a lot. We went to Johnny's house he told my uncle the best players in Rangers were Dominic Ezeani , Okala and Dominic Nwaobodo. So we went to watch the match I paid a close attention on the 3 players. One thing I noticed with Ezeani he seemed he could defy gravity and hang in the air more than any person I have see in life. I guess shortly he left for USA
Ezeani was a God in Enugu back in the day. He was so valued that he was brought back from the USA to play for Rangers in the final of the 1975 African Champions Cup Final home leg match against the dreaded Hafia of Guinea which they unfortunately lost 1-2.

I was only young at the time but still remember the palpable sense of disappointment at Rangers losing that match. They had lost the first leg by a slim 1-0 scoreline away in Conakry and the feeling was they would, with the quality and resilience they had shown throughout the competition be able to overcome the powerful Guineans. :sad:
That team were (still are in my opinion) one of the best clubsides Nigeria has ever produced.

During my research i learnt that this Nwadioha guy was one hell of a player. Can anyone shed any light on his exploits?
Was hailed as the Natural successor to Usiyen but apparently could not live up to expectations.
YNWA
User avatar
FATHER TIKO
Egg
Egg
Posts: 1795
Joined: Mon May 19, 2014 4:29 pm
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by FATHER TIKO »

heavyd wrote:
bully12 wrote:
Enugu II wrote:
Sir V wrote:
bully12 wrote:
Gotti wrote:
Sir V wrote: This is the correct list from Sunday Izevbigie who was part of the squad. .....From Facebook

"Yes there was an "oyinbo" coach as someone wondered earlier.
The Head Coach was Jorge Pena from Brazil. Assisted by Coaches Dan Anyiam, Godwin Etemike, and Carl O'Dweyer.
Sir V almost got everyone correctly identified except for two.
"

Back row:
Sam Ikedi, Mathias Obianika, Morton Owolo Sani Mohamed, Kenneth Olayombo, Sunday Izevbigie(yours truly), and Anthony Ottah.
Middle row:
Col. Henry Adefokpe, Jossiah Donbraye, Sunday Oyarekhua, Captain Victor Oduah's, General Yakubu Gowon, Haruna Ilerika, Yakubu Mambo, Paulinus Ejike, and Godwin Achebe.
Front row:
Tony (World 2) Igwe, Dominic Ezeani, Goalkeeper Eyo("Yashin") Essien, Sylvester Egborge, Gideon Njoku, and Goalkeeper Emmanuel("tallest") Okala.
So the picture was from Sunny...

A year later in 1974, Sunny and Ezeani had emigrated to the US (on scholarships) and were part of the only ever team to win the US's NCAA championship unbeaten and untied - the Howard University Bison, together with Tunde Balogun (son of Thunder Balogun), Muyiwa Sanya, Yomi Bamiro, and the late Kendo Illodigwe (with Illodigwe, scoring the winning goal in the championship game).

Source: Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar - The Life Story of Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips
Gotti please helped out . I have always wondered about this. If Ezeani has continued playing who could have a been a better player Christain Chukwu or Ezeani?
I would go for Chukwu. He was a top class defender.
Sir V,

While it is possible, note that Ezeani was always considered better before he left for the USA. Note that both of them were in the East Central State and Nigerian Academicals together. What most people did not know is that Chukwu was not centre back then for both ECS and Nigeria Acada. Ezeani was the centreback guy and in some cases with Tunde Martins from Lagos or Innocent "Staggar Lee" Nwokeji of ECS. Chukwu was left back. Ezeani was a starter before Chukwu in Rangers and was captain ahead of Chukwu as well. Then coming out of ECS Academicals, he was the first from that team to make the full national team as centreback pairing Oduah at the All Africa Games on most occasions. He was then playing ahead of the old sage Godwin Achebe. Nevertheless, this was before Chukwu broke through as top notch player after he was called up to the national team in 1974. Just my tuppence.
Thanks a lot Mr Enugu 11 . I recalled in 1974 my uncle who was a friend to Johnny Nwadiaoha and Patrick Ekeji took me Enugu to watch Rangers versus Vasco. My uncle was the games master of my school and he knew I loved soccer a lot. We went to Johnny's house he told my uncle the best players in Rangers were Dominic Ezeani , Okala and Dominic Nwaobodo. So we went to watch the match I paid a close attention on the 3 players. One thing I noticed with Ezeani he seemed he could defy gravity and hang in the air more than any person I have see in life. I guess shortly he left for USA
Ezeani was a God in Enugu back in the day. He was so valued that he was brought back from the USA to play for Rangers in the final of the 1975 African Champions Cup Final home leg match against the dreaded Hafia of Guinea which they unfortunately lost 1-2.

I was only young at the time but still remember the palpable sense of disappointment at Rangers losing that match. They had lost the first leg by a slim 1-0 scoreline away in Conakry and the feeling was they would, with the quality and resilience they had shown throughout the competition be able to overcome the powerful Guineans. :sad:
That team were (still are in my opinion) one of the best clubsides Nigeria has ever produced.

During my research i learnt that this Nwadioha guy was one hell of a player. Can anyone shed any light on his exploits?
Was hailed as the Natural successor to Usiyen but apparently could not live up to expectations.
Oga Heavyd, re-visit past threads on this forum about John Nwadioha...
He was top striker for Vasco Da Gama for 4yrs during Vasco's peak...Nwadioha was a tripod with Obed Ariri & Pat Ekeji, that made Vasco tick...

Nwadioha was called by Tiko to the GEagles for the final 1978 WCQualifier v Tunisia, but never really filled Usiyen's boots in that position...

On Chukwu & Ezeani, I've always maintained Ezeani was a better defender (maybe Chukwu was a better leader)...there was a popular myth in those days that Ezeani "taught" Chukwu the libero role...probably because of the seamless manner Chukwu stepped into the libero role after Ezeani departed for the US...
There is a reason whenever Chukwu & Ezeani were in the same XI, Ezeani always duly pocketed the CB position...
"...Some say football is not a matter of life and death;
I can assure you it's more important than that..."
- Bill Shankly
User avatar
Oguleftie
Egg
Egg
Posts: 2681
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 5:43 pm
Location: US
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Oguleftie »

False, false & false.
Chukwu had always been the best defender we played with through primary school and through secondary school.
Regarding Rangers, nobody could have played CB while Achebe was still playing. Isaac Nnado did retire; so did some others.
User avatar
Oguleftie
Egg
Egg
Posts: 2681
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 5:43 pm
Location: US
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Oguleftie »

Regarding Nwadioha, he wants the ball played to his feet; just like Amokachi of later decades.
User avatar
Oguleftie
Egg
Egg
Posts: 2681
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 5:43 pm
Location: US
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Oguleftie »

Regarding bringing back from the USA: both Ilodigwe and Ezeani were still registered to play in the champions league after having played in it; injuries do occur to players, & Rangers had to bring them back to play. Infact it was originally feared that Okala will not recover in time to play.
Departure of registered 1st XI players when the champions league was winding down to the finals did not go well with authorities.
Enugu II
Eaglet
Eaglet
Posts: 23614
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 2:39 am
Location: Super Eagles Homeland
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Enugu II »

FATHER TIKO,

Abeg, take your time ooo! See how you reduce great Vasco to three players.That is not fair. See the line-up below, did they not strike fear in the eyes of Rangers' supporters in those days? Did they not?

---------------Umelo Ahamaefule ------------------

Charles Adimora-----Pat Ekeji ---- Ignatius Ilechukwu/"Old Ghana" Okorie ---- OJ Chukwu

---------- Paul Agu/Mathew Nwokedi ----------------Stanley Okoronkwo-------------

Tony Uzoka-------------Obed Ariri-----John Nwadioha -----Innocent Nwankwo


-
FATHER TIKO wrote: Oga Heavyd, re-visit past threads on this forum about John Nwadioha...
He was top striker for Vasco Da Gama for 4yrs during Vasco's peak...Nwadioha was a tripod with Obed Ariri & Pat Ekeji, that made Vasco tick...

Nwadioha was called by Tiko to the GEagles for the final 1978 WCQualifier v Tunisia, but never really filled Usiyen's boots in that position...

On Chukwu & Ezeani, I've always maintained Ezeani was a better defender (maybe Chukwu was a better leader)...there was a popular myth in those days that Ezeani "taught" Chukwu the libero role...probably because of the seamless manner Chukwu stepped into the libero role after Ezeani departed for the US...
There is a reason whenever Chukwu & Ezeani were in the same XI, Ezeani always duly pocketed the CB position...
Last edited by Enugu II on Wed Nov 07, 2018 9:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The difficulties of statistical thinking describes a puzzling limitation of our mind: our excessive confidence in what we believe we know, and our apparent inability to acknowledge the full extent of our ignorance and the uncertainty of the world we live in. We are prone to overestimate how much we understand about the world and to underestimate the role of chance in events -- Daniel Kahneman (2011), Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
User avatar
Oguleftie
Egg
Egg
Posts: 2681
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 5:43 pm
Location: US
Re: 1973 Green Eagles

Post by Oguleftie »

Vasco was equivalent to Rangers because they had the players, same set of players that went to Rangers but Rangers could not take them all because the old timers like Chukwuma, Achebe, etc, etc were still wanted to play and had not retired; even Johnny Egbuonu coming home after studying medicine overseas still wanted to play - his elder family members complaining to me each time I see them.

Post Reply