BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s legendary left winger, Felix Owolabi Akinloye celebrates his 70th birthday this Sunday 24 November 2024 the same day another legend of the same generation, Adokiye Amiesimaka clocks 68.

The duo don’t only share birthday dates, there are other striking similarities. They were left-wingers in the national team.

They attended the same institution, the University of Lagos, making them good examples of sportsmen who also combined their prowess with academic excellence. Both made their debut in matches involving the Republic of Benin.

Amiesimaka debuted against Benin on 14 February 1977. Owolabi made his first international match against Benin on 14 January 1978. Nigeria won both matches by 7-0.  

Amiesimaka was a successor to fast-playing Kunle Awesu, another November birthday celebrant who incidentally attended CMS Grammar School, Bariga in Lagos.

Both later became lawyers. Amiesimaka may not have been as fast as Awesu who is now deceased, he was more mesmerising on the left wing.

That often delighted the crowd. For his skills, Amiesimaka was aptly nicknamed ‘Chief Justice’ by the inimitable radio commentator, Ernest Okonkwo.

His switching of positions on the field and long throw-ins were amazing.

BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Felix Owolabi Akinloye, whose solitary goal took Nigeria to the title match of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 is set to celebrate his 70^th birthday on Sunday.

His ninth-minute goal against Morocco on 19 March 1980 took Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations final match for the first time.

Nigeria eventually won the trophy three days later in a final match against Algeria.

His 70^th birthday celebration kicks off this Friday with two matches on the card at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan – the same arena where he set a record as the oldest Nigerian footballer to win a continental honour when he propelled the Shooting Stars to win the inaugural edition of the CAF Cup against Nakivibu Villa of Uganda in 1992.

Then 36 years old, it was the climax of  14 years of unbroken service to the Ibadan-based club.

At the time he symbolically hung his boots on 24 January 1994, he was the longest-serving footballer in the Nigerian domestic league.

He joined the Shooting Stars from Kaduna Rocks at the close of the 1977 season being one of the discoveries at the 1977 National Sports Festival.

The stocky left-footed Owolabi was an instant hit, and getting a national call-up and featured for  Nigeria at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Featuring in the 1980 and 1982 editions made him one of the few Nigerian players to go to the continental competition in three straight editions.

He started as a left full-back and his attacking instincts and dribbling skills propelled him to become a left winger.

Felix Owolabi in one of his dribbling runs at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations

Such was his dashing runs that he became a crowd favourite when he featured for Shooting Stars against pre-match favourites, Bendel Insurance in the semi-final match of the 1979 Challenge Cup.  

It was for that reason that the chant ‘Owooo” rented the air each time he got hold of the ball during the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations in Lagos.

For the 14 years he played for Shooting Stars, he won two national league championships in 1980 and 1983 as well as the Challenge Cup (now President Federation Cup) in 1979.

He was a member of the Nigerian squad to the 1992 FIFA Futsal World Championship in Hong Kong and also featured at the 1980 Olympic Games.

His debut for Nigeria was in the 7-0 drubbing of Benin Republic on 14 January 1978. His last match was in the 3-0 loss to Zambia at the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations in Benghazi, Libya.

For his exploits with the Shooting Stars, the club will on Friday feature in a friendly match with Osun United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. The duel will be preceded by a novelty match between All Stars of Ibadan and the All Stars of Lagos.

The celebration of an icon at 70 will be rounded up with a birthday dinner on Sunday.

The status quo was maintained by the two teams struggling to break away at the top bracket of the Nigeria Premier Football League as top-placed Remo Stars and the second-positioned Rivers United laboured to a goalless draw in Ikenne.

It was a respite for Coach Finidi George as a loss would have meant a losing streak of three matches. The result was the only match-day 12 that did not produce any goal in all 24 of the week’s 24 goals.

With the draw, there is no change at the top as both retained their positions while results from other matches did not affect the two teams.

Momentarily, Rivers United slumped to the third position as they were upstaged by Enyimba who took a lone goal lead over Abia Warriors in an Abia State derby.

The ninth-minute goal by Clinton  Jephta pushed Enyiba to the second position at 22 points and a six-goal difference, but the complexion suddenly changed when Abia Warriors’ Adejoh Ojonugwa restored parity in the 22nd minute. The two points gained by Enyimba were thus cancelled.

Shooting Stars of Ibadan are still stuttering and have yet to find a rhythm. They took an early lead against Ikorodu City as Anthony Okachi found the net in the 16th minute of their away duel.

Always goal-shy since the beginning of the season, they could not consolidate on the lead. Rather, the rejuvenated Ikorodu City equalised through Shola Adelani in the 58th minute.

Two minutes to regulation time, Rivio Ayemwenre scored the winning goal for Ikorodu City and with the 2-1 win they climbed to the eighth position on the log. In the early days of the league, they were bottom-placed, swimming in the murky waters of relegation.

In Enugu, defending champion, Enugu Rangers compounded the woes of Bendel Insurance with a 3-2 win at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium.

Godwin Obaje opened the scoring for the hosts in the 21^st minute and Frank Uwumiro doubled the lead in the 39^th minute while Effimi Nsi made it three in the 54^th minute.

Bendel Insurance, attempting what their ladies counterparts, Edo Queens did on Saturday against  Mamelodi Sundowns in their last group match of the CAF Women’s League, came back strongly in the final quarter of the match with two goals in the 67^th and 85^th minute. But it was still a bridge too far for them.

In Kano,Kano  Pillars came back twice against the visiting Heartland of Owerri at the Sani Abacha stadium.

After a goalless first half, Suraju Lawal in the 51^st opened score the visitors but veteran star player, Rabiu Ali in the 57^th minute but Lawal restored the lead two minutes later.

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa scored the equaliser in the 75^th minute to deny Coach Emmanuel Amuneke another away win this season.

Bayelsa United and Katsina United match ended 1-1 while El Kanemi Warriors and Niger Tornadoes saw the host secure a lone goal win.

All Week 12 Results

Saturday

Akwa United  1-0 Nasarawa United

Sunday

Remo Stars 0-0 Rivers United

Abia Warriors 1-1 Enyimba

Enugu Rangers 3-2 Bendel Insurance

Ikorodu City 2-1 Shooting Stars

Kwara United  2-0 Plateau United

Kano Pillars 2-2 Heartland

Sunshine Stars 1-0 Lobi Stars

Bayelsa United 1-1 Katsina United