The road to Rio (3)

Exactly 20 years ago, the Super Eagles that flew to America in the summer of 1994 had plenty of promise, and the continent of Africa believed in them to do the Black Race proud.Four years earlier, Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions had caused quite a stir by reaching the quarter finals in Italy. Many remember Roger Milla’s […]

Exactly 20 years ago, the Super Eagles that flew to America in the summer of 1994 had plenty of promise, and the continent of Africa believed in them to do the Black Race proud.
Four years earlier, Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions had caused quite a stir by reaching the quarter finals in Italy. Many remember Roger Milla’s unique dance steps to celebrate each goal. They came within nine minutes of a place in the semi final, following defeat by England.
In 1994, the Super Eagles were the champions of Africa, having won the continental title in Tunisia in April of the same year and breathing strong and hard with plenty of players who had come into their own.
That team was captained by no less a person than Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, today the Head of the Super Eagles, and the man leading the squad’s challenge against the world in Brazil. He led well more than 10 years before then, and then led very well in Tunisia and very well in America.
Today, Daniel Amokachi is Keshi’s deputy, and on their heads the responsibility of Nigeria lifting Africa’s flag high in Brazil lie.
‘Amo-Taxi’ or ‘Da Bull’ as he was known ramcharged through the midfield and got his way into the opposition’s box whenever he wanted to. So strong and so committed.
Striker Emmanuel Amuneke (now the Head Coach of U-17 National Team), scored the two goals that gave Nigeria the trophy in the Final against Zambia. But he was not the only strong horse as there were a number of Trojans who were then ready to take the world by storm.
Today, Nduka Ugbade is Assistant Coach of the U-20 National Team. He was in that team. Remember also that Ugbade captained the first Nigeria team to win a FIFA World Cup (FIFA U-16 World Cup) in China in 1985, and was also part of the Flying Eagles that finished as runners-up at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Uche Okechukwu was in that team. They called him ‘Gentle Giant’ and he was true to the name on and off the field of play. A gentleman in the real sense of the word, Okechukwu gently robbed the opposition of the ball whenever they moved close to the goalmouth of Nigeria. He was strong and technically and tactically able.
Benedict Iroha was rock solid at left back and even came up with a couple of magnificent goals. Talk about that equalizer against Cote d’Ivoire in the semi final. And he was dependable and also technical and tactically able.
There was also Sunday Oliseh, the passmaster and initiator of several good moves, including the one that freed Amuneke to score Nigeria’s winning goal in the final in Tunisia. In America, Amuneke also scored some marvelous goals, one against Bulgaria and one against Italy.
Remember also Samson Siasia (who led the U-20 team to silver medal at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, coached the U-23 to Olympic silver in 2008 and was Head Coach of the Super Eagles before Stephen Keshi came on board.
Remember also Finidi George, the gazelle on the right wing who darted past the opposition defence like air and pulled out for the legendary Rashidi Yekini to knock in the opponents’ goal, by head or leg.
Jay –Jay Okocha (so good they named him twice!) is today in the NFF Technical Committee and also captained the Super Eagles at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals. He orchestrated things from the midfield and made things happen through dead ball, and other means.
Goalkeeper Peter Rufai was impregnable and was one of the heroes of the triumph in Tunisia. He was solid as a rock and whenever the defenceline was breached, he was always there to stop them. Remember that final against Zambia that the likes of Kalusha Bwalya threatened several times in the second period.
There was also Isaac Semitoje, another hard-as-nails defender who filled in for Keshi once in a while and one not given to too much patience with tiki-taka forwards.
And of course, defender Uche Okafor and striker Rashidi Yekini, both of blessed memory, who were brilliant in their sectors and contributed immensely to the triumph.
Quiet and efficient, Okafor paired Uche Okechukwu most of the tournament and they showed remarkable understanding.
Yekini, the man they called ‘Ye-king’ and ‘Goals-father’ and some other  fanciful nicknames, dominated the continent of Africa like a colossus, and still remains Nigeria’s record scorer at international level. It would be two years ago tomorrow since he left us.
Next week, I will talk about the personalities in this present squad that have resemblance in their play and temperament to the guys in the 1994 squad.
Next Week: The Road To Rio (4)