By Daily Sports on May 25, 2020

As this page was preparing to go to bed, two major strictly football matters of importance cropped up. I felt it will be a great disservice to this generation of both Rangers International and Super Eagles supporters, if I fail to say something about Nigeria’s legend towering safe gloves, Emmanuel Okala. Okala, like we know manned Rangers International FC of Enugu goalpost for years, which caught the eyes of national team handlers then, that his outstanding performance got him deserved call up to the then Green Eagles.

He paid his dues greatly in the service of the nation and did his patriotic zeal for the genuine service of his fatherland. His total commitment for Nigeria was in all spheres dripping loyalty. Emmanuel Okala, MON was momentous on Nigeria’s goalpost while on national duty. He, with other patriots like Christian Chukwu, Segun Odegbami, Adokie Amasiemeka, Muda Lawal, Best Ogedengbe, Alloy Atuegbu, Ifeanyi Onyedika, Tunde Bamidele, Kadiri Ikhana, Baba Otu Mohammed, David Adiele, youngest player in the crack squad then, Henry Nwosu, etc, brought their all to bear to propagate the ideals of the national team.  Their effort brought not only respect at the highest level but was crowned with Nigeria’s first ever gold in Africa’s biggest and highest football summit, the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980.

He has been in the background and history despite his abandonment has been fair to him as he has remained evergreen in people’s consciousness. Seeing his picture with Segun Odegbami in their national team colours far back, brought the significant of those great and good old days to this writer and honestly tears were all over my eyes for the love of how it used to then adorning the national colours of Green White Green.

The Okala – Odegbami pair further pushed me to remember with full nostalgia that day March 12, 1980 when my good self with my classmates and even seniors came all the way from Government College Umuahia to be part of the unprecedented crowd that cheered the Green Eagles to victory beating the resilient Desert Warriors of Algeria 3-0 inside the main bowl of the then magnificent National Stadium Surulere Lagos.

I remembered all these as if it was just yesterday; Emmanuel Okala was celebrated last week by friends and his numerous fans. Okala was so significant when he was between Nigeria’s posts. Many countries were visibly scared sighting him between the post and many strikers developed cold feet sighting him. His living teammates would readily attest. He gave confidence to the though experienced and well exposed Christian Chukwu’s led defence.

Emmanuel Okala remains one of the legendary Nigerian players the country has not been fair to. Life goes on and one is glad that majority out there still appreciates his indelible contributions to the growth and the transformation of the senior national side to great and modern team of our time. Long live giant and legendary eagle eyed goal tender. Daily Sports online newspapers join millions to celebrate you enduringly.

Another celebration for this writer is the final confirmation of Gernot Rohr’s new contract for two and half tenure. I celebrate it because this column and newspaper were in the fore front of it when NFF Amaju Pinnick and his big wigs were planning to dump the Franco-German second term contract renewal and one is glad to note that he has been confirmed as Super Eagles technical hand till 2022 and those of us that sacrificed all despite name calling from NFF/Amaju Pinnick’s hired and paid Guild of Sports Editors, justice, goodness and transparency have triumphed over the foot dragging NFF executive committee members led by its President, Amaju Pinnick.

Rohr has got the nod and then it is left for him to brace up and stand his ground by ensuring Super Eagles would leave the position of playing second fiddle in major Championships in the continent. The lads currently in the team and those that would be discovered in future are materials par excellence and championship stuffs that can change the tide of the game and fortunes for Nigeria both in African continent and the World Cup.

However, with cooperation between the NFF executive committee members, technical crew and the players, the team would chart a new course as we move on. There should be no sabotage rather all hands have to be on deck for results.

It is congratulations to Rohr for his comportment and wisdom used to follow the ticklish NFF that wanted to deny him the job which he well deserved by his practical performance in his stay with the team. The outcry and the hand of God touched the heart of Amaju Pinnick and his gang to put pen on paper confirming his contract renewal.

We, here at www.dailysportsng.com, salutes Gernot Rohr, his lawyers and managers that allowed the sleeping dog and bitter pills from NFF not to stop this contract renewal. Numerous readers let us continue as usual in our social media handles. Good news, isn’t it? Keep shooting hard till next week!!

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 25, 2020

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