AFRICAN NATIONS CUP: Sunday Dare Salutes History Making Squad Forty Years Ago

BY: OLATOYE OLAWALE

Forty years after winning the premier sports contest in Africa, Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare thumbs up for the Nigerian national football team that has made history, winning the trophy for the first time.

Sunday March 22 would make it 40 years since the epoch-making event that saw  Christian Chukwu raised the ‘Unity Cup’ which was being contested for the first time since Ghana had won the trophy for keeps in 1978.

In a press release by the media aides of the minister, made available for public space, Sunday Dare remarked: " We salute the gallantry of the victorious 1980 Nations Cup winning Green for bringing glory and honour to our fatherland.

" Their feat opened a new chapter in the history of Nigerian football and inspired generations of younger players to excel on the field of play.

" They not only arrested the attention of world football, they opened opportunities for others to pursue professional football.

" A big congratulations to all members of that great team for winning the Nations cup for the first time on home soil. Their achievement brings fond memories to us about the never say die Nigerian spirit”

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The Super Eagles are gathered in the centre of the circle, they seem to be saying, "Oh! God give us this day!.”

Other Members of the team, that won the 1980 Nation's Cup are;

Emmanuel _‘Man Mountain’_ *Okala,

Aloysius  _‘Blockbuster’_ Atuegbu

Christian _‘Chairman’ Chukwu,

Mathematical’_ Segun Odegbami,

Kelechi* _‘Caterpillar’_ *Emetole*,

Midfield Maestro’_ *Mudashiru Lawal*, Justice’_ *Adokiye Amasiemeka*,

Uwem* _‘Harmattan’_ *Ekarika*

Sylvanus* _'Quicksilver'_ *Okpala, Commander’_- *Louis Igwilo,

Sylvester* _‘Bahama’_ *Oparanozie*, Benedict* _‘Surugede’_ *Ugwu*,

Idowu* _‘Slow Poison’_ *Otubusen,

Shortish’_ *John Benson*,

Diminutive’_- *Amaechi Otti, Nnamdi*_‘Policeman’_ *Anyafo,

Davidson* _‘Okada Air’_ *Owumi,

Penalty Specialist’_- *Christian Madu,

Masters of Long Throw’_- *Moses Otolorin, The Man with Bullet Shot’_- *Emmanuel Osigwe,

 

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