Nigerian Football
THIS DAY IN HISTORY: First Nigerian national team begins international adventure
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It is 73 years today that the Nigerian first ever-national football team left the shores of the country for a goodwill tour of the United Kingdom. The team aptly tagged the UK Tourists, left aboard the RMSS Apapa in Lagos en-route to Liverpool on this date, 16 August 1949.
The NFA selected the team to travel after series of trial games among township teams. The lucky ones include Dan Anyiam, Tesilimi Balogun, Sam Ibiam, Skipper Etim Henshaw, Isaac Akioye and Isiaku Shittu.
The others were Ahmed Tijani Ottun, Olisa Chukwura, Okorokwo Kanu, Mesembe Otu, Peter Anieke, Titus Okere and Sam Ibiam. Also in the team were John Dankaro, Sokari Dokubo, Hope Lawson Edet Ebenezer and Godwin Anosike.
Sports Village Square can confirm that only one of the 18 players and other officials, is alive today.
He is Titus Okere, the initial suspect for the captainship of the team before it was given to Richard Etim Henshaw.
Okere, now 95 lives in Kent, 61 kilometres from London.
The chairman of the NFA, Captain Donald H. Holley, led the team comprising of 18 players. The players were dressed in grey trousers and olive green blazers with a badge emblazoned with the initials of NFA and with ‘United Kingdom 1949’ woven underneath.
A large crowd that included the Bishop of Lagos and many important African and European personalities saw them off at the Apapa Port. There was also a message of support from the Governor-General, Sir John McPherson.
The players travelled third class for the two-week voyage. They had to run round the deck four times every morning to keep fit.
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RELATED STORY: https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2022/06/01/long-forgotten-1949-uk-tourists-legend-titus-okere-is-alive%ef%bf%bc/
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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