Dr. Olusegun Patrick Odegbami needs no introduction. Even the Gen-Z generation know him. His name is evergreen. It keeps resonating in football circles and fora 42 years after he quit the sport.
His last game was the 1984 African Champions Cup final, where his team, IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, was defeated by Zamalek of Egypt.
Since then “Mathematical 7” has continued to be relevant. Even more relevant than the 1980 glorious AFCON triumph on homesoil which played pivotal roles. He was vice-captain, key player and goal scorer in the final against Algeria.
Of his generation both at club and national team level he is arguably the only voice still being heard. He belongs to the popular side. He speaks for the development of the sport. He calls a spade by its name. He is blunt.
Of course he commands respect around, within and outside football circles. He has carved a niche for himself in the corporate world where he has built a reputation and an image larger than life. His presence opens doors.
Yet those in authority fail to cash on these huge advantages, they refuse to leverage on his personality and they chose to ignore his experience to make the sport a better one. Rather they parley with persons who have nothing to offer but possess the might to grab from what the sport can provide.
Odegbami has twice contested the position of President of the Football House. He was schemed out by the powers-that-be. Obviously, because the are scared of what he is bringing to the table. His CV, experience, contacts, brand-image, goodwill and ability to rally all ex-players and present ones are few of the reason they’re scared of him.
Despite taking off his mind from the leadership of Nigerian Football, he still nurses the passion and desire to fix the ailing sport even as an “outsider” of the NFF. He is pained that Super Eagles have lost their wings. They can’t fly let alone soar like they used to.
He is sad that the Super Eagles have failed twice in a row to book tickets to the World Cup in Qatar 2022 and Canada, United States and Mexico 2026. He is worried that thd Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) cannot attract top quality sponsors.
He has decided to correct these anomalies. At 73, you begin to wonder where hd is getting his strength, dedication to this course and commitment from? But when you remember his passion for the sport and his patriotism then, you will understand and appreciate his efforts.
Here is one ex-intermational who remembers with excitement his days and stories behind the success of his generation especially his class of Eagles – the Green Eagles. He is deeply connected to the national team. A very faithful follower of Super Eagles who religiously keeps record of happenings around and within the team.
10 members of his class of 1980 AFCON Eagles are gone Captain Christian Chukwu, Muda Lawal, Best Ogedegbe, Okey Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atuegbu, Martins Eyo, Moses Effiong, Charles Bassey, and Henry Nwosu. But he is still here fresh in body, mind and spirit.
This is why he has declared that he may seek to fix some of the abnormalities in the football system in the civil court before the September election. This singular pronouncement deserves the plaudits of stakeholders who have been asking, Who will bell the cat (our football)?
A Yoruba adage says, the elder an not be within the market and the head of a baby its mother’s back bends. Someone must speak up and Odegbami is rightfully the one. We must not just applaud him. We should support him totally to help right these numerous wrongs in our football house
Thanks for being there for stakeholders Sir. Keep the flame alive Sir.
© DESMOND EKWUEME
