Gara Gombe Pays Tribute T0 Emeka Omeruah | National

By Coach Uni Dan Kakwi

The aspiring NFA presidential contestant Ahmed Gara Gombe scrolls again to recollect the extremely enigmatic Emeka Omeruah.

Surprisingly, the Federal Authorities redeemed pledges made to the 1985 set of Golden Eaglets, the primary African workforce to win a FIFA organized event. However one man was conspicuously absent on the occasion. Not even a point out was made from the Sports activities Minister on the time, Air Cdr. Sampson Emeka Omeruah (Rtd), a person beneath whose watch the nation received many laurels in sports activities. December 4th marks the day of the loss of life of a person extensively dubbed the daddy of the Golden period of Nigerian soccer. He died in London December 4, 2006.

The historical past of Nigerian soccer can’t be full with out his point out as he’s linked with many of the memorable moments of our soccer.

Omeruah was elected chairman of Nigeria Soccer Affiliation in 1993 and instantly his Midas contact started to manifest for example, what number of nonetheless keep in mind that he originated the nickname Dream Group related to the victorious soccer workforce at Atlanta 96?

It was after watching the star-studded U-23 workforce grind out a 1-1 attract Cairo in opposition to Egypt to qualify for the ultimate stage of the Olympics qualifiers that Omeruah gushed “sure, it is a Dream Group”. That sobriquet caught. Because the NFA Chairman on the time, he had midwives the beginning of that workforce.

The majority of that Atlanta 96 squad might be traced to 1993 when Omeruah was elected NFA Chairman. With him in cost, Nigeria received a second U17 championship at Japan 93, the identical 12 months the Tremendous Eagles certified for a debut World Cup, the USA1994. Earlier than jetting off to USA for the World Cup, Nigeria received the AFCON for the primary time on away soil at Tunisia 94.

The Tremendous Eagles would have a memorable World Cup debut, dropping to Italy within the second spherical at additional time. The workforce’s efficiency was rated the second most entertaining workforce on the Mundial. At that time, Nigeria was quantity 5 on FIFA rating; it’s highest ever rating until date.

His tenure ushered the primary Nigerian to win African Footballer of the 12 months award when Rashidi Yekini bagged the glory in 1993. Emmanuel Amuneke adopted go well with in 1994. Thus got here an period Nigerian gamers dominated the continent. Nwankwo Kanu was Africa’s greatest in 1996; Victor Ikpeba in 1997 earlier than Kanu notched a second in 1999.

As we fervently await the return of the glory days of our soccer, kudos needs to be given to the person, who birthed the misplaced golden period.

A 3 time Sports activities Minister, the PHD graduate of UNILAG presided over Nigeria’s profitable internet hosting of the FIFA U20 Championships in 1999.

The outspoken Ahmed Gara Gombe stands tall in remembrance of the unfadable icon

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