Thank you, Yiba.
You did an excellent job
Yiba wrote:
I met Obanor shortly before the Bayern game against PSG started and below are the questions I asked him on a cold winter evening. Enjoy!
Yiba: You made your debut for the NNB star team in 1988. What are your memories?
Obanor: I made my debut for NNB in WAFU cup in the match against ASEC Mimosa of ivory Coast featuring Tarila Okoronwanta and Henry Nwosu. The match ended 1-1 and I made my impact.It was a very interesting and wonderful match, and thanks to Alabi Aissien the coach and man who brought me into the limelight. Coach Aissien talked to me before the match and gave me confidence. I walked into the field with a vision to conquer the world.However as the national anthem was being played, my confidence dropped. Luckily coach Aisien was on the sidelines to give me instructions on what to do. I remember that I was wearing the number nine jersey.
Yiba: Do you remember the many battles with Oloye back in the days?
Obanor:(Laughs) Oloye came to NNB in 1988 after the team was relegated in 1987 from the league and Alabi Aisien was trying to revive the club. And we had a wonderful time!
Yiba: What are your memories of later playing for Bendel Insurance of Benin?
Obanor: After NNB disbanded, I made my way to Insurance training uninvited. The supporters harassed me. They asked, why was I interested to play for Insurance after NNB? Luckily the chairman of Insurance Late F.S Uwaifo allowed me to train and the rest is history.
Yiba: What are your most cherished moments at 3SC?
Obanor: Great club! I left Bendel Insurance for Shooting in 1991 on loan for three months because Insurance refused to give me clearance when the professional league started. I went back in 1998. The fans in Ibadan love football and I have fond memories of the hospitality. I remember I used to tank my car free of charge at fuel stations or eat free of charge in restaurants. Thanks to Fatai Oyedeji every Sunday morning on the radio, he used to inform Ibadan fans what Peter Obanor did on the field.
Yiba: What were your worst moments at 3SC?
Obanor: My worst moment was when I had my injury against an Egyptian team(Ahly national) in the champions league. As soon as the match started, I went in to contest with my opponent, only to have a nagging knee injury.
Yiba: What would you consider the major problem of 3SC, especially you were there when the team won the league in 1998 and then relegated the next year?
Obanor: What happened was that after winning the league in 1998 everything they promised us, they refused to deliver. Even the match bonus was not paid, and salaries were not forthcoming. Players were not training anymore and that lead to the relegation of 3SC.
Yiba: Did 3SC players get plots of the land promised by the Oyo state government for winning the league?
Obanor: After winning the league, the former governor of Oyo state, Oyakhire gave us the land and certificate of occupancy. Later democracy came and Adeshina became the governor. They told us we should bring the papers, and that they want to show us the plots of land. As I am talking to you today nothing has come out of it.
Yiba: What is your view on the appointment of your former teammate Eddie Agoye as 3SC's new head coach?
Obanor: I think it is a great step. Eddie Agoye was a great player and he will make a good coach. Based on the determination of Eddie, I think Shooting is heading somewhere.
Yiba: Do you still follow 3SC and activities around the club?
Obanor: Shooting will forever remain in my heart. Because Ibadan is the best place that I ever lived in my life and I do follow the activities of the club.
Yiba: Are you related to Ehrun Obanor(defender) who plays for Fürth in the second division here in Germany?
Obanor: No. We are not related. Obanor is a popular name in Benin.
Yiba: Do you still dread the encounters with Felix Pilakyaa of BCC?
Obanor: He was a great player!
Yiba: Why is it difficult these days for home-based players to play for Super Eagles?
Obanor: Maybe it is due to the commitment and the program put in place. But right now with Gernot Rohr, I hope it is different.
Yiba: What are your views about the Super Eagles group for the World cup in Russia?
Obanor: The present team is fantastic and the boys like Iwobi or Victor Moses are ready to roll. They only need to have the ability that they can do it.
Yiba: What are you up to these days?
Obanor: I am into import and export of cars and spare parts. I shuttle between Europe and Nigeria and I am very happy with it.
Yiba: Thank you very much Peter Obanor!
Obanor: Thank you!
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