Cybereagles

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:

FATHER TIKO wrote:

TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:

Goldleaf wrote:

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.

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%

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)!!!

ukwala wrote:

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:

FATHER TIKO wrote:

TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:

Goldleaf wrote:

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.

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%

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)!!!

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:

ukwala wrote:

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:

FATHER TIKO wrote:

TonyTheTigerKiller wrote:

Goldleaf wrote:

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.

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%

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)!!!

TTTK is a special breed

FATHER TIKO wrote: 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%

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.

Goldleaf wrote:

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.

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 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."

Sir V wrote:

Goldleaf wrote:

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...?

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:

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

Chei! 1973! At that time Nigeria was a story that my parents told. Wasn't taken home until 1974.

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:

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.

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?

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.

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:

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

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.

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

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.
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.

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.
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...

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.

Regarding Nwadioha, he wants the ball played to his feet; just like Amokachi of later decades.

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.

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


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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...

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.