Legendary goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala is 70! Read Segun Odegbami’s tribute to his ex-international teammate
Former Rangers International of Enugu and Green Eagles of Nigeria legendary goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala is 70 years old today, May 17th 2021.
At the height of his game, he was considered the best goalkeeper in Africa and won the 2nd All Africa football gold medal with Nigeria in 1973 as well as conquering Africa with Rangers in 1977 as they won the African Cup Winners Cup.
To mark his birthday, his former international teammate and friend Segun Odegbami wrote this moving tribute in Okala’s honour.
“Babuje”, the greatest, at 70!!
Today is a very special day in the life of one of Africa’s greatest football heroes; the only Nigerian goalkeeper to be decorated as ‘African Footballer of the Year’ by the African Sports Journalists Union, ASJU; the tallest and most dreaded goalkeeper in Africa during his time; the man that manned the goal posts for the national team of Nigeria, the Green Eagles, for 10 years, and also for the club that became the greatest post-Civil War Movement of the Igbos (Rangers International Football Club of Enugu ); the first ‘Chairman’ in Nigerian football before his own captain, Christian Chukwu, earned and inherited the sobriquet; the most recognisable figure in the whole of African football throughout the 1970s because of his awesome feats on the football field and his towering imposing 1.9m (6ft 5 inches) physique; the one nicknamed ‘Tallest’ and ‘Man Mountain’ by the late legendary radio sportscaster, Earnest Okonkwo.
Today marks the arrival of this gentle giant to the gates of the ‘Elders Club’.
I ask all Nigerians to join me in congratulating and celebrating a gentleman, a humanitarian, a man of integrity and credibility, a true friend and my brother, as he turns 70 today.
May this day mark the start of the best years of his life on earth, to be lived long, happily, healthily and in prosperity.
I am calling on all Nigerians to pray for him and join us on the Sports Parliament this Thursday as we celebrate Emmanuel Okala, MON, at 70.
Congratulations and a Happy 70th Birthday, ‘Babuje!”
Happy birthday Man Mountain.
