Nigeria Players Abroad
Tarila Okorowanta urges NFF to hand him role to help revive Nigeria’s struggling national teams
Tarila Okorowanta, the man who scored Nigeria’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup tournament, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to offer him a coaching or administrative position so he can help arrest what he describes as the decline in the country’s men’s national teams.
The 61-year-old, who recently worked as Team Manager at Bayelsa United, says he has formally made it known to the NFF that he is “willing and ready” to serve Nigerian football again in any capacity, from the dugout to the boardroom.
Okorowanta wrote his name into Nigerian football history at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship, when his goal gave the Flying Eagles a 1-0 win over the Soviet Union in their opening Group B match. That strike was Nigeria’s first goal at any FIFA World Cup-level competition.
More than four decades on from that milestone in Mexico, Okorowanta believes his experience as a former Flying Eagles and Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) player, combined with his coaching education, can be put to use across the national team structure.
“I can serve as a team coordinator or manager of any of the teams. I can be a member of the federation’s technical committee. Just anywhere,” he said. “I have a lot to offer, just like others. Having played for the Flying Eagles and Green Eagles (now Super Eagles), and attended various coaching courses with the necessary exposure to back them up, I am convinced that my contributions will help the teams, depending on the role handed to me.”
‘Nigerian football has nosedived’
Okorowanta, a former winger with Stationery Stores, says he is particularly keen on a coaching role and is driven by alarm at what he calls the “pathetic” condition of Nigeria’s youth sides and the knock-on effect on the Super Eagles.
“Looking at our national youth teams in particular, and the pathetic situation they have found themselves in, you may be moved to tears,” he said.
“Here was a team we made proud, a team that conquered Africa for over a decade, a team that fed the Super Eagles with quality players, just like a feeder team.
“During our time, top players graduated into the senior team, and that made the senior national team very strong. Players were picked for the Flying Eagles based on pure, raw talent. Players were discovered through the Principal Cup and grassroots competitions like the famous ‘Mock Nations Cup’ in Ajegunle, not necessarily from the domestic league or club sides.”
He argues that the pathway that once produced a steady stream of talent has weakened, leaving the Super Eagles without a solid base.
“The dismal state of the age-grade teams is affecting the Super Eagles. We shouldn’t be surprised that the Super Eagles have failed to qualify for the World Cup back-to-back since Qatar 2022,” he said.
“If we had a solid Flying Eagles team that emerged from a strong Golden Eaglets squad, then it wouldn’t be difficult for the Super Eagles to secure World Cup qualification.”
Missed World Cups ‘deeply hurt’
Okorowanta says repeated failures at youth level have been painful to watch, given Nigeria’s past success on the global stage.
“Watching the Flying Eagles struggle to qualify for the World Cup hurts. Watching the Golden Eaglets (U-17) miss the World Cup three times is sad. Watching the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the World Cup consecutively is a major pain. Honestly, these are the reasons why I am compelled to do everything within my capacity to help our football,” he explained.
He added: “The Golden Eaglets have failed to qualify for three straight World Cups. It hurts deeply knowing that this same team had been champions of the world on multiple occasions.”
Call for wider involvement of ex-players
Okorowanta praised former internationals who have been involved in various roles with the national teams, but insists their efforts need to be broadened and intensified.
“Those engaged, both past and present, talking about the former internationals, or ex-footballers, have done great jobs. But more needs to be done, considering that literally all our men’s national teams are struggling as we speak,” he said.
“Kudos to the ex-players who have helped in different capacities over the years to build our national teams. But all hands must be on deck now to ensure we do better and excel. The job isn’t for a few people. It is for all of us. I am stepping forward to add value in this regard.
“This is why I am offering my service. I just want to contribute my quota.”
Okorowanta, who has already experienced life on the technical and administrative side as Bayelsa United Team Manager, says his appeal to the NFF is rooted in a desire to help restore Nigeria’s reputation across the age-group and senior levels.
Forty-three years after that historic goal against the Soviet Union, he is now asking for a chance off the pitch to assist in rebuilding the structures that once produced the players who inspired the Super Eagles.