IMMEMORIAL
Twenty-One Years since Patrick Okpomo’s Farewell
By GBENGA GBADESIRE
It’s been an incredible 21 years since one of Nigeria’s foremost football technocrats, Patrick Okpomo, who was a former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), died in Lagos.
‘Sekito’, as yours sincerely fondly called him, was a panache of sports administration with a panacea for its challenges to the envy of his colleagues who couldn’t match his suave administrative attributes.
No wonder CAF and FIFA quickly grabbed him the moment the Nigeria factor dumped him. And like the star that he was locally, he soared globally so much that Nigeria had to shamefully recall him in 1999 to head the Technical Committee of the U-20 World Cup, which the country hosted.
Okpomo’s showcase of international football competence was courtesy of CAF President, Issa Hayatou who saw at close quarters the immense administrative expertise in him, having learned soccer administration under him when his Cameroonian government seconded him to Nigeria for training years earlier before his CAF presidency, and it was Hayatou who God thereafter used to elevate him to CAF and FIFA platform the moment Nigeria dumped him.
Leveraging on Hayatou’s goodwill and magnanimity, the rejected soccer technocrat suddenly became Nigeria’s unofficial soccer ambassador as he quietly climbed the CAF hierarchy.
And with grit and benevolence, he single-handedly got CAF to name Chief MKO Abiola the Pillar of Sports in Africa, a novelty title unheard of in the annals of sports diplomacy to the envy of his detractors.
An award which was to herald MKO’s popularity to an international level, which even his Abiola Babes FC couldn’t fetch him in their heyday.
But in all of this, the unassuming facilitator of this momentous award remained humbled, modest, humane and germane to all and sundry.
Remaining in the background, unseen or heard, in line with the civil service ethos that moulded him outside of his academic attainment at the University of Lagos and later the University of Alberta, Canada, Okpomo valued his integrity to the admiration of those close to him.
Though he was NFA Secretary General at three different times, namely 1984-1987,1989-1990 & 2001- 2002, our paths never really crossed until 1989 in Bauchi during that year’s FA cup final between BCC Lions and Iwuanyanwu Nationale.
Earlier in Lagos yours sincerely had written a story in Prime People/ Vintage People which he took offence to, and the moment I ran unto him at Hamdala Hotel Bauchi in company of NFA chairman, then Group Captain Anthony Ikazoboh with then Captain Emmanuel Okaro, he told Ikazoboh “Oga be careful with Gbenga “, to which the once provost marshal of the Nigeria AirForce replied as he came to stand by my side “Pat dis one no fit do me anything”.
With that Bauchi meeting resolving our differences, the stage was set for a robust and brotherly relationship with the trio of Okpomo, Okaro and Ikazoboh, so much that Ikazoboh was chairman at my wedding in Ibadan and to date, General Okaro, rtd and I are still friends.
‘Sekito’ and I became so close that I could order his wife, who shares the same Mary name with my Iya Eleja mom, to cook for me in their house, and whenever he was packing from one house to another, I was always around to help move items.
In continuation of our relationship, it wasn’t long before he started inviting me to join him at Ikoyi Club 1938 and Sagamu Golf Club to play golf, walking the length and breadth of the courses, teeing and putting.
The club became my relaxing point after my Unipetrol hustle so much that each time Emmanuel Maradas, publisher of African Soccer Magazine and I met at the office of my benefactor: former NFA chairman cum MD of Unipetrol, Alhaji Yusuf Garba Ali, and I needed to savour him with the touch of Lagos hospitality, our port of call was Ikoyi Club to the admiration of the Chadian- journalist who later offered me the editorship of his London based magazine twice with tempting pays which my village boy self-turned down.
As a buoy of our relationship, Okpomo, who had seen how comfortable I was doing in my logistics and petroleum marketing business, courtesy of my godfather, Alhaji Yusuf Garba Ali, swayed me to become an Ikoyi Club member rather than being his guest always, since I could afford it.
Though a lot of people didn’t know, I joined the Club in 1998 as a golfer, contrary to the misconception some people had when I won the election to become the Entertainment Chairman of the Club in 2006.
One remarkable thing happened at my induction date when Okpomo and I didn’t know that I ought to wear a complete agbada or corporate suit that night, and not the Senegalese guinea brocade that I wore.
Right on the queue, when he realised it, he dashed to his then Obanikoro area house from Ikoyi (a drive of 40minutes) to get me a suit only for the induction ceremony to be over by the time he got back, and I had to be rescheduled.
He was such a jolly good fellow/brother from another mother who wished for the progress of all and sundry, giving to the needy and quietly paying school fees for so many people that I knew.
You could then imagine my quandary when on the 1st of August 2004 I learnt that ‘Sekito’ was no more and not even my converging at his hometown in Inland Kokori, Delta State with the likes of Kola Abiola, Fanny Amun and Amaju Pinnick in November later that year could make yours sincerely believe in the farewell gathering that forlorn afternoon in the sea side town.
But alas, it’s been 21 years of witty Okpomo’s journey of no return since he went for a pile operation at St Nicholas hospital.
Gbenga Gbadesire is Publisher of The Session
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By Kunle Solaja.
Sixty-eight years on, football, this Friday, paused again to remember the Munich Air Disaster, the catastrophe that ripped through Manchester United and stunned the sporting world on February 6, 1958.
The tragedy claimed 23 lives when Manchester United’s aircraft crashed on take-off at Munich-Riem Airport following a refuelling stop on the journey home from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade.
Manchester United squad before the 1958 crash.
Among the dead were eight players from United’s celebrated Busby Babes side, alongside club officials, journalists and members of the flight crew.
Those killed included club captain Roger Byrne and the immensely gifted Duncan Edwards, widely tipped to become one of both United’s and England’s greatest-ever players. Also lost were Mark Jones, Tommy Taylor, Eddie Colman, Liam Whelan, David Pegg and Geoff Bent.
In all, the disaster took the lives of 11 members of the United travelling party, eight journalists, the co-pilot and several others connected to the flight.
Yet from the wreckage also emerged stories of survival and resilience. Manager Matt Busby, badly injured in the crash, would go on to rebuild United into European champions a decade later.
Bobby Charlton, who survived with relatively minor injuries, became the club’s record scorer for many years and a World Cup winner with England. Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg, Albert Scanlon and Dennis Viollet also resumed distinguished careers.
For two survivors, however, the crash marked the end of their playing days.
Jackie Blanchflower was just 25 when the plane crashed on the snow-covered runway. The Northern Ireland international, younger brother of Tottenham Hotspur great Danny Blanchflower, had already won two league titles with United and made 117 appearances for the club. Renowned for his versatility, he had played in defence, midfield and even in goal during his career.
Despite early hope that he might recover, Blanchflower’s injuries — including a fractured pelvis, multiple broken limbs and severe internal damage — proved career-ending. He was forced into early retirement and later rebuilt his life away from football, eventually finding success as a businessman and popular after-dinner speaker. He died of cancer in 1998.
Johnny Berry, United’s flying right winger and the club’s original wearer of the famous number seven shirt, also survived the crash but never played again. Signed from Birmingham City in 1951, Berry made 276 appearances and scored 45 goals, helping United to the league title in his first season.
Severe head injuries sustained in Munich ended his career at the age of 31. Berry later returned to his hometown of Aldershot to run a sportswear business and became the first surviving United player from the crash to pass away, dying in 1994 at the age of 68.
Those lost and those who lived on
The victims of the crash included United secretary Walter Crickmer and coaches Bert Whalley and Tom Curry, as well as eight journalists covering the team’s European adventure. The co-pilot Kenneth Rayment, a steward, a supporter and a travel agent were also among the dead.
Of the nine United players who survived, Bobby Charlton lived the longest, passing away in October 2023 at the age of 86. Goalkeeper Harry Gregg, whose heroics in rescuing survivors earned lasting admiration, died in 2022 aged 87.
Each year, the anniversary of Munich remains deeply embedded in the identity of Manchester United, serving as a reminder not only of loss but of the resilience that shaped the club’s history. Sixty-eight years on, the names of those who died — and those whose careers and lives were forever changed — continue to be remembered as an inseparable part of football’s collective memory.
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Manchester United will this Friday, February 6, 2026, mark the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster this Friday, February 6, 2026. The darkest day in the club’s history, which claimed 23 lives, including eight players and three officials.
The tragedy occurred in 1958 as United were returning from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade. After stopping to refuel in Munich, the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off, devastating the club and the wider football community.
Each year, the disaster remains central to United’s identity and heritage, with thousands of supporters gathering at memorial services in Manchester and Munich to honour those who lost their lives and those who were injured.
Old Trafford and Munich services
United will host a remembrance service at Old Trafford from 14:45 to 15:15 GMT, with supporters invited to gather under the Munich Clock in the East Stand. The service will be led by Reverend John Boyers and will include a roll of honour, poems and readings delivered by journalist and supporter Andy Mitten, representatives of the Manchester United Foundation, Under-13 Academy teams, and club legend Sammy McIlroy. Senior club officials will lay wreaths in tribute.
Following the ceremony, supporters will be welcomed into the International Suite at the Stretford End to view memorabilia from 1958 and the Busby Babes, courtesy of the Manchester United Museum, and to share memories over refreshments.
At the same time, representatives of the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation will lead a parallel service at the Manchesterplatz Memorial in Munich. United’s director of fan engagement, Rick McGagh and former goalkeeper Alex Stepney will attend alongside travelling supporters, residents and fan groups. Wreaths will be laid at the crash site, followed by a two-minute silence. The Munich service will be streamed live and free on MUTV.
Matchday tributes
Tributes will continue at United’s Premier League home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, February 7. Supporters are invited to a 30-minute memorial service under the Munich Clock at 10:30 GMT, featuring a minute’s silence, roll of honour and readings involving Academy teams and Foundation representatives.
Flags will fly at half-mast, the team will lay a wreath and families of the Busby Babes will attend the match. Fans have been asked to be in their seats 15 minutes before kick-off for the playing of The Flowers of Manchester. Supporter group The Red Army will also unfurl the “We’ll Never Die” banner across the Lower Stretford End.
United Women will also pay tribute at their home match against Liverpool on February 1, the closest fixture to the anniversary. Players will wear black armbands, a wreath will be laid, and Munich flags will be displayed in the North Stand.
Carrick: Players must understand the history
United manager Michael Carrick said his players must understand the significance of the Munich Air Disaster as the club marked the anniversary.
“As soon as you come to this club, you’re made aware. You can’t help but know and understand the history,” Carrick said at Thursday’s press conference. “It’s a responsibility when you work here that you understand what’s come before us. Munich is probably the biggest part of the history of this club — how the team and the football club bounced back and went on to success.”
The match against Spurs was moved forward a day to avoid clashing with Friday’s memorial service. Carrick, enjoying a strong run of results, said United were continuing to grow despite a lighter fixture list this season.
On Tottenham, he added, “They have really good attackers who stretch the backline and attack the box a lot. It’s a slightly different game to what we’ve played in recent weeks.”
Patrick Dorgu remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount are close to returning.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank confirmed that outspoken social media comments by captain Cristian Romero regarding the club’s transfer policy had been “dealt with internally”.
“Cuti is very passionate and ambitious. Sometimes there can be an outburst, which happened this time. It’s something we’ve dealt with,” Frank said.
United head into the weekend fourth in the Premier League, while Tottenham sit 14th. With Arsenal and Manchester City leading the table, the battle for Champions League qualification is tightening, with just seven points separating third place from sixth.
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The global football community on Monday marked the third anniversary of the passing of Brazilian football icon Pelé, widely regarded as the greatest player the game has ever known.
Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died on 29 December 2022 at the age of 82 after a prolonged battle with illness, drawing an outpouring of grief and tributes that spanned continents, cultures and generations.
Three years on, his legacy remains undimmed. The only footballer to win the FIFA World Cup three times (1958, 1962 and 1970), Pelé redefined excellence on the pitch, combining athleticism, skill, creativity and an instinctive understanding of the game that set new standards for greatness.
From his formative years at Santos, where he became a teenage sensation, to his role in popularising football in the United States with the New York Cosmos, Pelé transcended club and country. He scored more than 1,000 career goals in official and unofficial matches, a milestone that became synonymous with his name and myth.
Beyond statistics, Pelé was football’s first true global superstar. He turned matches into spectacles, inspired millions of young players, and helped project football as a universal language capable of bridging race, politics and geography. His influence extended into diplomacy and humanitarian work, where he served as a global ambassador for sport, peace and social causes.
On this third anniversary, clubs, federations, former players and fans across the world have once again paid tribute, sharing memories, archival footage and messages celebrating a life that shaped the modern game. Stadiums, museums and public spaces in Brazil and beyond continue to honour him as O Rei — The King.
Though Pelé is no longer physically present, his spirit endures every time a child dreams with a ball at their feet, every time a goal is celebrated with joy and imagination, and every time football reminds the world of its power to inspire.
Three years after his passing, Pelé remains eternal — not just in memory, but in the very soul of the beautiful game.
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