WE PLAYED FOOTBALL WHEN THERE WAS NO MONEY IN IT !
No doubt, the name Francis OBI Okoye maybe familiar to many people, mostly sports lovers and footballers of 1950s to 1960s and to the younger generation who have experienced or benefitted from his football coaching at one time or the other.
One of his greatest successes as a football coach was in 1978 when he handled the Rangers International FC of ENUGU.It was at that time that the club witnessed spectacular victories within and outside Nigeria that put it in the lime light.
Players like Chairman Christian Chukwu,Emma Okalla,Emeka Onyedika,Maithias Obianika,Alloy Atuegwu,Slyvanus Okpalla,Ogidi Ibeabuchi,Adokie Amasiemeka,Pat Ekeji,Obi Okwo,I G Ilechukwu were part of his squad then.The club Chairman was the sports loving Chief Jim Nwobodo.Most of the players he handled made it from his club to the National team and were in the squad that won the Nations Cup in 1980.
Prior to taking over the job of the Rangers coach, where he achieved great success, he was in Britain where he acquired the International coaching license in 1977 from Football Association London.He was also posted on attachment to 10 top professional football clubs in United Kingdom, including Queens Park Rangers,Tottenham Hotspur FC ,Crystal Palace FC, Arsenal FC,Chelsea FC,Cardiff City FC etc.In his sojourn abroad, he became technically equipped to achieve football coaching success on his return to Nigeria.
A well known disciplinarian and an advocate of massive attack and defense.Francis Obi Okoye coached and groomed over 200 players from the South East who have or still play National league both professionally and as amateur ,as well as in the National team and outside the country.
Francis Obi Okoye was one of those selected who played for the Eastern Region IX and the National team when there was no money or gratification in the game.According to him .” We played for peanuts-most times we were not even given anything for our efforts.We only had big names and most of us worked on other jobs to make ends meet.In those days, discipline excelled as most of us did not indulge in smoking and we were very much dedicated to our playing career.”
One of the greatest Nigerian defenders,whose exploits had earned him the Nickname IRON GATE OF NIGERIA- the name originated from the greatest radio commentator in Nigeria,Ishola Forunsho.
He was from 1956-1962 in the Eastern Nigeria selected that clashed with the English national team- the visiting English FA side in 1958.
At Aba where his football career started , he was the longest serving captain of the Aba Giant Killers now Enyimba FC from 1950-1962.It was from Aba Giant Killers that he got the call to represent Nigeria agianst countries like Ghana,Dahomy,Egypt and the German National team-Germany Dosoldoff among others .They beat Ghana 3-1 and Dahomy 11-1.
At the National level, Francis Obi Okoye played alongside other great legends like Thunder Balogun,Dan Ayiam,Francis Uwalaka,Isaac Nnado, Peter Aneke,David Okoroji,John Onyeador,Dejo,Onyeali,Igwe,Owumi,Dishi,Omini etc.
He recalls the kind of game played in those days and compares it with that of Nigeria of today and shakes his head- ” the standards are falling, goals are no longer coming and dare devil defenders and strikers are not on the increase, despite the presence of more money in the field .There is also very little or no dedication at all levels of the game.Also amateurs have hijacked the training as well as management of the game.
Francis Obi Okoye who hails from Ihiala in Anambra State ,remains one of the States greatest football legend of all times as well as one of the top most football coaches the Nation has ever had.
He Started his playing career at Aba, at Christ the King School Aba.He also attended St Mary’s teachers training College,Azalaegbelu,Owerri in 1953-1955 and played for Owerri XI in the same years.
This interview was held before the death of Francis Obi Okoye few years ago.
