Paul Okoku: How 1983 Flying Eagles made history
How did you start your football career?My name is Paul Lucky Okoku. I was born in Lagos to my parents, Nwachukwu (Papa Ojo) and Suzana Okoku. I would like to say that I was born a footballer; but frankly speaking, I started playing football at a very early age. Like many boys of my generation, […]
How did you start your football career?
My name is Paul Lucky Okoku. I was born in Lagos to my parents, Nwachukwu (Papa Ojo) and Suzana Okoku. I would like to say that I was born a footballer; but frankly speaking, I started playing football at a very early age. Like many boys of my generation, I started on the streets. This was before I started primary school.
We could not afford a real soccer ball, so we improvised with oranges. Oranges were our football as we kicked them around; trying to imitate the footballers we watched on television and saw in the neighborhood. We also used hard plastic balls but taking shots with them was painful, so I mainly dribbled when we used them for street soccer.
Then, came the era of felele (very light rubber balls) that most of the greatest Green Eagles and Flying Eagles stars like Henry Nwosu, the late Muda Lawal, the late Haruna Ilerika, Godwin Odiye, Stephen Keshi, Edema Benson, Raymond King, and myself started with.
Who was your model in football?
Definitely Pele. I had the chance to meet him in the mid 70’s when he was invited to Nigeria for a coaching clinic for the youths, at the Liberty stadium, Ibadan. I was one of the participants.
Could you recall the number of competitions you participated in during your playing days?
The competitions I remember I participated in were, YSFON 1980 and 1981, Gothia Cup, Sweden, in1981 and 1982, Dallas Cup, USA, Lagos Principal’s Cup, Lagos State Challenge Cup, Oyo State Challenge Cup, National Challenge Cup, Lagos State Oba’s Cup, Lagos State Super League, Oyo State Super League, National League, Lagos State League, Oyo State League, Ogun State League.
I represented Lagos State during the late General Murtala Ramat Cup, in Lagos and in Anambra State, USA Collegiate Championship representing Alabama A & M University. Others were Olaleye Boys Club where we won and I was awarded a scholarship by the late Adeniran Ogunsanya, Lagos State Sports Festival, State of Nashville, Tennessee league, the State of Georgia league.
One of the competitions that will remain indelible in my memory was playing against Guinea Jnr. team, in Conakry, during the 1983 Junior World Cup qualifier. They were men, not boys. Nevertheless, we were determined to show them that we were equal to the task. Though, we were young, but have been exposed to playing against men in Lagos leagues as school boys. This was the first leg and we lost 1-2. Two weeks later, we defeated them 2-0 in Nigeria, during the second leg, which saw us through to the 1983 Junior World Cup, in Mexico. I was a member of the Green Eagles team at the 1984 AFCON. I was also on the Nigerian team that won gold medal at the 1983 WAFU Cup.
I was also a member of the Nigerian team that won gold medal during the tournament, termed “Tesema Cup,” to claim the best junior national team in Africa, in 1982, when we defeated the Yusuf Fofana-led Ivorian team.
And, as the vice-captain of the 1982/1983 Flying Eagles, we set the record as the first team in the history of Nigeria, to represent our beloved country, Nigeria, in any FIFA-organized tournament. And as a result of this unprecedented achievement, we were awarded scholarship to further our education anywhere in the world, by the then President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. One of my teammates in the US reminded me that both Shell and Coca Cola awarded us stocks in their various companies, but were never redeemed because the then football administrators never followed up to give them the list of the deserving players and coaches (Chris Udemezue and Coach Isiaka Yakubu, both of them are of blessed memory).
Which of these competitions left you with memorable moments?
It was during the 1983 U-20 World Cup in Monterrey, Mexico. We defeated Russia in our first (opening) game. I can remember the full support we got from the Mexicans, before and during the game, singing “Nigeria, Nigeria, ra, ra, ra. We had high hopes because we believed in ourselves and Nigerians believed in us.
Then, the second game against Brazil (parading the likes of Bebeto, Giovanni, Jorginho and Dunga, who later coached the Brazilian team in the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa. Well, we lost 3-0, and all the three goals were scored in the first half. It was painful really and the reason was simple, it was the game we needed to win so desperately to have the chance to move to the quarter finals, but we lost.
Till today, that our team is still considered the best Flying Eagles ever assembled.
Which was your saddest day as a football player?
The 1983 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mexico, for the reasons I gave to your question above.
How many laurels did you during your playing time?
Won silver medal at the 1984 AFCON, losing to Roger Miller, Theophilus Abega & Nkono-led Cameroonian team, won gold medal at the 1983 WAFU Cup, won gold medal to claim the best junior team in Africa in 1982, termed “Tesema Cup” when we defeated the Yusuf Fofana-led Ivorian team. As the vice-captain of the 1982 Flying Eagles, we have the record of the first team in the history of Nigeria to represent Nigeria in any FIFA-organized tournament. As a YSFON player, we won the Gothia Cup in Sweden, in 1980, 1981 and 1982 and Dallas Cup, USA in 1981 and 1982.
Who was the toughest player you played against in the Nigerian league?
It was Sunday Eboigbe, definitely. He was a rugged defender and you better watched your back if you had the chance to beat him to the ball. He is currently recovering from the stroke he suffered over four years ago. I wish him a speedy recovery.
How would you rate the current level of football in Nigeria, both the local league and national teams?
Obviously, there is opportunity to grow, just like in everything else. That said, I witnessed the display of our local players’ courageous performances during the CHAN Championship in South Africa last year. Their skills and stellar performances definitely gave me the inclination to profess that we belong in the midst of the top three leagues in Africa. I wasn’t surprised that President Goodluck Jonathan took the time out to honor them as the third placed team.
What do you think should be done to bring back fans to the stadia?
There are so many ways, and one of the many that come to mind is for the big name retiring professional players to play their last year or two in Nigeria. This will go a long way to increase the number of fans going to watch the games. Another way is what the coach, Keshi is doing at the moment, giving the home-based players opportunities in the Super Eagles to showcase their talents which in turn will bring spectators to the stadia to watch the national players they see on televisions.
Do you see the Super Eagles making an impact at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil?
Of course, the possibility exists and it wouldn’t be an unrealistic goal to go beyond the second round and possibly to the semi-final stage. I also do believe that the Super Eagles have a credible and reputable head coach and coaching staff, with the abilities to doing so combined with the personnel and players to make an impact at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Just by qualifying to participate in the World Cup is an indication that they have a chance of advancing to the semi-final stage. All they need is to play to instructions and create their own luck. A good team must learn to play and try to win games even when they are down by 1, 2 or 3 goals.