French
DeutschEmmanuel Okala
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emmanuel Oguajiofor Okala | ||
| Date of birth | 17 May 1951 | ||
| Place of birth | Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1966–1970 | Onitsha Red Devils | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1971–1980 | Enugu Rangers | ||
| International career | |||
| 1972–1980 | Nigeria[1] | 59 | (0) |
Medal record | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Emmanuel Anthony Oguejiofo Okala // (born May 17, 1951) is a former footballer who played for the Nigerian national football team from 1972 to 1980.[2] He was named "Footballer of the Year" in 1978 after winning the 1980 African Cup of Nations tournament while representing Nigeria.[3]
Career
[edit]In the late 1970s and 80s Emmanuel was Africa's Best known goal keeper of his time. He kept for the Rangers International of Enugu and the Green Eagles as the National Team was then. He spent his Youth playing for Clubs and country. In 1977, he created a record which may yet be equalled. He was in goal for Enugu Rangers against AS Police of Senegal in the first leg quarter finals of the African Winners Cup.[4]
He captained the Green Eagles to ECOWAS games Soccer Gold over Ghana. He was hired as Super Eagles keeper's trainer. He hardly settled before the NFA fired him for not possessing certificates.[5]
Emmanuel Okala, Christian Chukwu, Segun Odegbami, Henry Nwosu among others who played the round leather game attended the Airpeace Investiture Award for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The Chairman of Airpeace, Chief Allen Onyema hosted the event to honour the Nigerian Football legends who boycotted the 1976 Montreal Olympics held in Canada in demonstration against the apatheid regime in South Africa.[6] He played for the Green Eagles from 1972 to 1980[7]
Personal life
[edit]His younger brother Patrick was also a Nigerian International Goal Keeper. When he died in 1991 Emmanuel expected the Government to support his family. He was forced to retire from the National Team after NFA officials refused Coach Otto Gloria to field him in AFCON grand finale against Algeria. After Rangers lifted the winners cup in 1977, Okala became hot cake in Cameroon and was offered Nationality[8]
Honours / Awards
[edit]Individual
[edit]- Voted Footballer of The Year Award by African Sports Journalists Union – 1978
- He won all African Games Gold - 1973[9]
International
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Emmanuel Oguajiofor Okala - International Appearances
- ^ "EMMANUEL OKALA: Memoirs of Nigeria's tallest goalkeeper". The Sun. 5 November 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Iwedi Ojinmah (21 November 2012). "Emmanuel Okala - Iroko in the net". SuperSports. Retrieved 30 August 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Nwafor (2020-12-05). "Okala angry, says Nigeria has neglected her heroes". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ Nwafor (2020-12-05). "Okala angry, says Nigeria has neglected her heroes". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ [email protected] (2023-07-28). "Odegbami, Okala, Chukwu, other Montreal Olympics' Eagles grace Airpeace Investiture Award". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (2021-05-17). "Okala at 70: Sports minister eulogises former Green Eagles goalkeeper". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ Nwafor (2020-12-05). "Okala angry, says Nigeria has neglected her heroes". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ Nwafor (2020-12-05). "Okala angry, says Nigeria has neglected her heroes". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
External links
[edit]- Emmanuel Okala at National-Football-Teams.com
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