International Football
A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK; ERNEST OKONKWO’S DAUGHTER, AMAKA TAKES TO SPORTS LAW
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
As if to remain connected to sports and maintain the glorious services the late Ernest Okonkwo rendered to sports commentaries in Nigeria, one of her five children, Amaka, a lawyer, has taken to sports law.
Amaka Okonkwo-Oboh informed www.sportsvillagesquare.com that she had worked in various organisations and law firms but currently with Delphi Law Advisory.
It is a reputable law firm with highly qualified and dedicated professionals, with a great team who are specialized in sports and entertainment law. In an earlier tribute to the late Ernest Okonkwo published in Complete Sports in 2017, Segun Odegbami, one of the most notable footballers Nigeria ever produced wrote about the affection Okonkwo had for Amaka.
“Why he (Ernest Okonkwo) nicknamed me ‘Mathematical’ I never knew. I wanted to ask him when we met and spent a few days together in 1989 in Scotland for the coverage of the 1989 Under-17 FIFA World Championship
“…I never got to ask him the question because he was an excellent story teller and spent most of the three days regaling me about everything under the sun – his travels around the world; his love for reading books and how he would one day write one about his own experiences; his love for his wife and children, particularly one of his daughters, Amaka, that has now become a mother of three wonderful boys and a very successful practicing lawyer in the city of Lagos.”
She told her story to the Sports Village Square, given further insight to the legend – Ernest Okonkwo.
“My
impressions about my dad are that he was a very kind hearted father as well as
a strict disciplinarian.
“He had a way of balancing both his family life and professional life. He was super dedicated to his calling as a professional and a patriot to the core. He was, and will forever be my hero”, remarked Amaka.
Ernest Okonkwo had five children. “We have professionals in various fields, however I am a legal practitioner who is into sports law.
“…That way I can be said to be working in his foot steps although his shoes are really too big for me or any other person to fit into however I am trying to carry on his legacy.
According to her, “people may have seen him as very sociable, outgoing person however, he never joked with the things of God.”
To illustrate that Ernest Okonkwo was a devout Christian, Amaka revealed that on his sick bed, Okonkwo said the Lord had healed him. We were looking at the physical manifestation of it.
“However it was more of the spiritual aspect of him in paradise which we have no doubt about. My late dad of blessed memory always used to say to us his children that a good name was greater than silver and gold.
“I was quite young when my father passed on. But as I grew older, I got to understand every aspect of my life.
“The more reason he is still remembered and will always be remembered for good even after twenty nine years of his passing to glory.
“His favorite quote was ‘The lives of great men all remind us to make our lives sublime and departing leaves foot prints on the sand of time
“Daddy indeed you were a great man and your foot prints will forever remain in the sands of time”, remarked Amaka Okonkwo-Oboh.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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