1. You won two major national trophies with Bendel Insurance – the Challenge Cup in 1978 and the National League the following year. Please tell us how you felt winning those two titles? Who were the key players of those teams?
They were the highlights of my career especially winning the Challenge Cup. We won it in style beating two of the top teams in the country – IICC in the semi-finals and Rangers in the final. Winning the league in 1979 was also special as we lost only one game to Rangers in Nsukka. It was 1-2. Our team manager, Sunny Woghirein had died a few weeks before that game but I do not offer that as an excuse because we gave all we could. I mean you watched that game. Our key players were Egharevba who scored most of our goals and Felix Agboinfo who was captain. We were a team and did not really have stars that stood out.
2. What is an important moment of humor or exciting moment that you encountered while playing in Nigeria?
Nothing comes to mind at this time. However, I remember when we played Warri McDermott in the state FA Cup semi-final. Sam Okpodu played for McDermott at the time and he had dribbled through the defense but when he looked up and saw me coming he immediately stopped. He knew I was a very hard defender. The players burst out laughing when Okpodu stopped. It was the same when we played IICC in the league in 1979. Odegbami dribbled through Kadiri Ikhana and Boateng saw me coming and let Odegbami go through but Odegbami stopped in his track as I came in to tackle. I told him “You are crazy …. You want to dribble me?”
3. You played under Alabi Aisien who was professionally trained in oversea did wonders with both Bendel Insurance and Vasco Da Gama. What is your opinion of Alabi’s coaching? Tell us in detail what his training, planning, tactics, and match management was like.
Alabi trained in East Germany and came back to coach Benin Vipers (Later Insurance) but fell out with Governor Ogbemudia. He then left to coach Vasco Da Gama before returning to coach us in Insurance. He was a very good coach who gave players confidence and made us believe in ourselves. He is big on fitness and discuses tactics with players in both training and matches. He also did scouting reports. For instance, he studied Rangers and we made sure that we played ball possession against Rangers who relied on a power game. Alabi would also make adjustments at halftime dependent on the situation. As for formation, he relied on 4-2-4 in those days with Agboinfo and Omokaro in the middle. Sometimes, Boateng moved up to help those two.
4. You were invited to the national camp by both “Father” Tiko and Otto Gloria. Could you compare them to Alabi Aisien?
There was no basis for comparison. They had very different tasks. Tiko was focused on developing a team from the grassroots. We had a zonal system at that time and Tiko was first attached to the Eastern zone and at the national level he was building a new team after the time of Oyarekhua and others ended with the 2nd All Africa Games. Tiko could have won the African Cup if he had not fallen out with FA officials. Gloria built on Tiko’s team. He took the team to Brazil and then won the Nations Cup. Alabi cannot be compared to those two. First, he never coached at the national level because even after he was selected to be part of a consortium of local coaches to take the team to Brazil, he did not make the trip. Furthermore, he, being a local coach stood no chance of receiving the kind of support that the NFA gives to foreign coaches.
5. You had a great career with Insurance and many will rank you next to Victor Oduah as one of the most impressive central defenders to play for Insurance. However, you did not appear for the national team. Why was this?
One name Christian Chukwu. He is my friend and at that time he was very good and the team was winning with him so I had little chance to play. However, I played in some friendlies. I could have played more after Insurance was winning in late 1970s but then I left to go to the United States.
6. What would you change if you had to relive your playing career again?
I don’t know. I would have taken more opportunities. There were several opportunities then to meet governors and other top officials. I could have explored the benefits of such contacts. However, I do not have regrets. I loved it when I played. I enjoyed it.
7. Who were your close friends on Insurance and Asabatex in those days?
Ben Duamlong was a childhood friend and we grew up together in the North. We went to Asabatex together. After that he left to go to Jos and I left to join Bendel Insurance. I also was close to both Kadiri Ikhana and George Omokaro.
8. I understand you are now a certified coach and referee? Please elaborate on the details of those certifications.
I am a certified United States Soccer Federation (USSF) B coach since 1995. I also served as a principal coach in Adamawa state. However, I am not coaching now but refereeing. But I still help out in camps in Raleigh. In any case, I am now more into administration. I have been refereeing since 1980.
9. We understand that you have shown interest in returning to Nigeria to seek a football position. Please provide us with your previous attempts, particularly trying to become FA Secretary.
I tried in 2001 when I applied and interviewed for the secretary position but Taiwo Ogunjobi got it. The next time, I was not even called for an interview after applying. I am not sure that they received my application. My goal is to continue trying to help Nigerian football. We played the game and we are better placed to move the game forward.
10. What is your opinion on football administration in Nigeria? And what would you do to improve it?
Nigerian football is at low ebb. We have so many talented players but poor administration. Why does the FA continue to depend on government funds? The FA should be able to raise its own funds. However, Obaseki who runs the local league is doing well. He has tried to raise money. On the other hand the NFA has only focused on international matches with no grassroots development. We are using established and overage players for our youth teams because of this. I bet you that most of the players playing for Nigeria in age grade competitions are over age. Instead of solving these problems, the FA is focused on estacodes and traveling to Germany. The NFA has to understand that Nigerian football is not just the Super Eagles. Recently, Danny Joordan of South Africa reminded us that they came to Nigeria in 1991 to learn from us but now their administration is better than ours. The biggest problem in Nigerian football is Amos Adamu. I hope President Yar’ Adua will replace him and save Nigeria’s football. He has all these positions in FIFA, CAF, and WAFU and yet our sport, not just football, is in shambles. The entire NFA, from Chairman to messenger are Adamu’s boys. They are now fighting among themselves and they have little to offer.
11. What is your opinion on the state of coaching and football in Nigeria?
Our coaches are not going to courses. People must upgrade their knowledge from time to time. We have good coaches such as Amodu, Erico, Alabi of those days, and the new ones like Siasia but they need to update their knowledge regularly. Support from administrators is yet another problem. Our FA does not give our local coaches the kind of support that they give to White coaches. But even with white coaches, we must select the right ones. We do not need coaches like Vogts. Instead, we need people like LeRoy Westerhoff, and Troussier. That is some body ready to mingle and go to the grassroots. We do not need big names.
12. I assume that you have watched the current Super Eagles. What is your opinion of the team and its prospects?
I lost interest in the team but from reports that I have read, the team is not blending. In any case, we need to replace some of the aging players such as Kanu. I have not watched some recent games. However, it is clear that we no longer have the usual level of football at the national team level. We have a long way to go. The recent NFA suspension of Mikel Obi was a surprise. I do not condone indiscipline but how can the FA suspend him without first getting its own house in order?
13. You look at the current Nigerian players, which of them do you really like his play and why? Who reminds you of yourself?
We have so many talents. No one reminds me of myself. I was dedicated. For me, I played the game as if it was business. The only Nigerian players that reminded me of my style were perhaps Taribo West and Sunday Eboigbe.
14. What is your main career now in North Carolina?
I am presently the District Manager for Spinx Inc that has its headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina. It is an oil company with several convenience stores in the Carolinas.
