IN the annals of Nigeria football few men are qualified to stand on the same pedestal with chairman Christian Chukwu, MFR, who undoubtedly remains one of the most authentic football heroes the country every produced.
Chukwu’s achievements as a footballer, which have been documented in numerous publications, have remained unequalled. as the longest captain of the indomitable Rangers International Football Club of Enugu (1974-1981), he led the club to win four challenge cups and five national league titles - a record which may never be broken in many years to come./ Chukwu also led Rangers to become the second Nigerian club-side, after IICC Shooting Stars (Nos 3SC), to win a continental championship when they captured the African Cup Winners Cup in 1977.
At the national team level, Chukwu’s captainship of the then Green Eagles for six years (1974-1980) culminated in the historic wining of the prestigious African Cup of Nations in 1980, after winning the Bronze in 196 and 1978 respectively.
However, besides winning these laurels, Chukwu’s manifest qualities, as a footballer have remained enduring. His inspirational leadership both on and off the pitch is unparalleled. He played with dedication and compassion, exhibiting such tremendous energy and skill that was joy to behold.
Chukwu all through his playing career both in Rangers and the national team, was an embodiment of discipline and patriotism; He was always willing to serve his fatherland at whatever personal sacrifice.
I had to go through this windy path of history to highlight the tremendous contributions Chukwu made in the development of football in the country, because of the recent attempt by some hired writers and half baked sports journalists to deny him of his rightful place in Nigeria.
One of such publications was carried on Saturday, May 12. The author of this article had alleged in his column of secret plans by Ndi Igbo to get Christian Chukwu appointed as the new technical adviser of the Super Eagles. He attributed his source to a story by an Igbo journalists in one of the national dailies.
Ordinarily, one would not have bothered to attach any relevance to the story, which only existed in the writer’s warped imagination. But for this calling to question the credibility of Christian Chukwu as a coach and his capability to handle the Super Eagles. Going through the story one could discern the writer’s poor attempt to portray the former Chief Coach of the Super Eagles as being incompetent to handle a clubside, not to talk of the national team.
First, he tried to deny Christian Chukwu any credit for the present Rangers performance as the leading team in the national professional league, arguing that the foundation has already been laid before he took over from Coach Emordi. But I think that this is a very funny way of reasoning. The fact that one has recruited good quality players in the team and has started well at the beginning of the competition, does not guarantee victory in the end. Otherwise, why did we have to send Bonfrere Jo packing following his dismal performance with the Super Eagles, when in all honesty that squad still remains one of the most talented teams in the world.
But that is not denying the contributions of Coach Emordi and other Rangers officials for the club’s resurgence. Rangers are one family and everybody is working very hard to ensure that the club returns to the top pinnacle of Nigeria and indeed continental football. But what I’m saying is that Christian Chukwu as the head of Rangers technical crew takes full responsibility for the success and failure of the team. However it is important to inform that both Christian Chukwu and Emordi have enjoyed harmonious working relationship starting from 1983 when both of them and Emmanuel Okala led Rangers to win their last Challenge Cup title.
Again, the writer made reference to Chukwu’s woeful performance as the chief coach of he Kenyan national team, the Harambee Stars. Although it would not serve any useful purpose going into details of why Chukwu could not perform the expected miracle of turning the unskillful Kenya team around it is however, necessary to put record straight, at least for posterity.
In the writer’s record, Chukwu’s tenure as the chief coach of the Harambee Stars was a harvest of failures, because according to him, he played thirteen matches and lost all. But this is sheer fallacy. Except he is suffering from selective amnesia, he should have known that Chukwu took the Kenyan team to Cecafa Cup Championship, a sub-regional competition, which they narrowly lost in the final to the host Rwanda. And Kenyans, who have not celebrated such achievement in a long time, hosted the team to a rousing reception on their return.
Besides, Chukwu’s assignment in Kenya was not only to tutor the national team, but also to evolve a grass-root programme for the development of their football. There is no doubt that he executed these assignments to the best of his ability given the prevailing unfriendly atmosphere in which he operated, particularly the undercurrent political intrigues within the Kenya Football Federation which eventually resulted in the termination of his contract.
However, generally, Christian Chukwu has paid his due as a coach. The records of his achievements are there for all to see. Without being immodest, he is no doubt one of the most accomplished coaches in this country. Therefore, the question of his being competent to handle any coaching job, particularly the national team, does not arise because he is eminently qualified. Apart from his distinguished football career, Chukwu attended some of the best coaching academies in the world, in countries like Brazil, Germany and Egypt.
It is obvious that if merit is to be given due consideration in deciding who becomes the chief coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu stands head and above others being paraded for the job. Unfortunately, extraneous factors rather than merit often become the overriding consideration in deciding who gets appointed. This explained why Chukwu was denied the job after he was tricked to resign his lucrative coaching job in Lebanon, notwithstanding that he was the most qualified.
There is no denying the fact that Christian Chukwu is still relevant in the restructuring of the Super Eagles, which has fallen from its glorious height of the eighties and early nineties when it was the toast of the world, to a disgraceful level of being beaten by all manner of mediocre teams. Although he has expressed his willingness to accept any invitation for national assignment, that of the Super Eagles inclusive. He has equally maintained that he is not desperate and would not go out of his way to beg for it. For now Chukwu’s interest is to ensure that Rangers win any of the major national titles this year and qualify for continental championship. And by the grace of God he will succeed.
___________________ Nobody drinks medicine on behalf of a sick person.
Posts: 110 | From: United States | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Yeah, the chairman had great leadership qualities and it was little wonder the Nigerian team lifted the Nations' cup under his able leadership.
He made the No:5 shirt very popular and his understudy young Benjamin O was destined to become one of the best defenders of his era before he died under mysterious circumstances at the Eagle's camp.
Above all Chukwu was very comfortable on and off the ball, and always strolled up to take his spot kicks with the air of a man walking his dog. I never saw him miss a penalty.
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
Ou You described Skipper very well, those who know him very well calls him Skipper. He and many others like him are exactly what the new Biafra will be all about, Talent! Talent! Talent!....Know how! Know how! know how! no shananigans.
The politics at the National level prevented Nigeria from going far in Africa and world football (soccer) in those days.
posted
Oh yes there will never be another like the Chairman.
___________________ Biafra: save my bullets when I die, Oh Biafra, Allelua if I surrender and that will be forever. Posts: 272 | From: Birmingham AL | Registered: Mar 2001
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___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
posted
The game is still on but it seems like nigeria will win this one. Boy look at the line up, all Biafran players, almost.
BBC Sports. Nigeria 4-1 Malawi
Follow LIVE action from the Super Eagles Nations Cup qualifier against the Flames of Malawi, in the Abuja National Stadium.
Follow all the games LIVE Goalflashes and major incidents
Half-time: Nigeria 4-1 Malawi - Malawi started strongly by scoring first but they were unable to maintain their momentum after Aiyegbeni equalised for Nigeria. The Super Eagles took complete control of the match after their first goal, leaving Malawi with little room in which to operate.
43 min: Nigeria attack - Utaka runs clear and crosses the ball but Kanu heads over the bar.
38 min: Kanu misses a chance to get a hat-trick. The Arsenal player has shown good form for Nigeria.
36 min: Malawi's Russell Mwafulirwa is given a yellow card for kicking Nigeria's Ifeanyi Udeze.
35 min: GOAL! Nwankwo Kanu dribbles through Malawi's defence and hits the ball home.
26 min: Utaka's header goes over the bar.
22 min: GOAL! Nwankwo Kanu's firm strike gives Nigeria a comfortable lead after a rather shaky start.
18 min: Utaka's shot narrowly misses Malawi's post.
16 min: GOAL! Aiyegbeni scores second for Nigeria.
15 min: Enyeama saves Nigeria from conceding a second goal.
10 min : GOAL! Yakubu Aiyegbeni replies for Nigeria. He rounds the goalkeeper to draw level for the Super Eagles.
8 min: GOAL! Esau Kanyenda puts Malawi ahead after Enyeama fails to hold a shot.
2 min: Nigeria's John Utaka misses a chance to score, as his shot sails over the crossbar.
I min: Malawi take kick-off. Nigeria captain Austin Okocha, orginally in the squad, did not appear on the pitch. He was replaced by Perugia striker Christian Obodo.
1530 GMT kick-off
Team line-ups
Nigeria - Vincent Enyeama, George Abbey, Ifeanyi Udeze, Seyi Olofinjana, Isaac Okoronkwo, Romanus Orjinta, John Utaka, Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Christian Obodo and Ifeanyi Ekwueme
Malawi - Philip Nyasulu, Maupo Msowaya, Allan Kamanga, Peter Mgangira, Russel Mwafulirwa, Esau Kanyenda, Joseph Gatros, Itui Nundwe, Moses Chavula, Robert Ng'ambi and Fisher Kondowe
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2447 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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Chukwu is doing us proud. At the moment it is Biafranigeria 2, Angola 2. The Angolans managed by a Brazilian legend fielded an array of stars and took a shock 2 nil lead.
The chairman just came closer to the touch line, made a few tactical switches and our boys were level in no time. Unfortunately, our brother Udeze the inspirational captain of BiafraNigeria has been sent off. BiafraNigeria only need a draw from this game.
The chairman is still at the touch line motivating and organising the lads for the last few minutes of the game.
Igbo kwenu!
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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I'm sorry for getting back to late. I'd travelled after the end of the game. Chukwu has assembled a group that will do Africa proud. It ended 2 all. You could tell from the build up through the half time analysis that the Ngwati press are after the chairman.
If you doubt it read Vanguard of Saturday or this crap
quote:“This people almost gave me hear attack. I will make sure there is no more experimentation in the Super Eagles. This will be the last of such a thing “, declared Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, Secretary General of the NFA shortly after the team pulled a 2-2 draw against Angola at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City last Saturday
If bloody Ogun-yobi was good enough to select and manage a good team why didn't he appoint his bloody self as the team coach?
quote: For Ogunjobi, most sports journalists who were directly behind him ceased to watch the match, where the Angolans ran rings round the bunch of ill-prepared boys Chukwu paraded that day, as they were hoping and praying that Chief Ogunjobi does not collapse if the Eagles went ahead to lose the match.
They ceased to watch...but saw(observed) the Angolans ran rings round CHUKWU's boys.
And this is the report for a game that has seen BiafraNigeria qualify for Africa's most prestigious tournament with a game to spare!
quote:At the end Amun had to hug Chukwu for surviving the scare
May God save umuIgbo who have to live and work in BiafraNigeria. Even Chukwu's shout to get his boys' attention was twisted:
quote: Most fans who watched the encounter were equally aghast that Chukwu who gambled with the match expecting an easy win or at most a draw, stood up most times shouting “hey you, hey you” from the sidelines when he wanted to pass instructions as it was glaring he didn’t know the names of some of the players he fielded.
Goodness gracious! I know some good managers here in the UK that use their fingers to produce a jungle whistle to get their players attentions. But apparently, the fool who wrote this "report" with his ogun-yobi may not have kicked an orange all his life. Chukwu has done the basic things right and that is qualify in style. And that he matched the Brazilian tactitian proved that there are some people within BiafraNigeria who can take on the world.
Oni-gbe-ndi the brother of Ogun-yob-i on the other hand made history as the first coach of BiafraNigeria to exit a world cup with a game to spare and without winning any game.
When Ogun-yob-i says he will stop "experimenting", is he going to field Segun Odegbami or Felix Owolabi? Even if he did, Chairman Chukwu will still Captain them!
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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Thanks for that bit of info. Check this out from Nigeria Guadian
quote:
I would have died, says Ogunjobi Gowon Akpodonor, who was in Benin SEVERAL hours after the Super Eagles of Nigeria escaped from what could have been a big embarrassment to the nation, Coach Christian Chukwu and majority of the players are yet to recover from the shock.
The visiting Palancas Negras of Angola almost broke the hearts of soccer-loving Nigerians during the Nations Cup qualifier on Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City as they put two goals past goalkeeper Austin Ejide before the Eagles could draw level to grab the ticket at stake.
Coach Chukwu, who was on his feet all through the 90 minutes of the encounter, could not utter a word to journalists who wanted to know what went wrong with his boys.
Not even the extra efforts made by the reporters, in the form of several calls at the Precious Palm Royal Hotel of the team, yielded fruits as Chukwu kept to his room all through the night.
An official of the team told The Guardian that Chukwu was not in the mood to see anybody because he was still in shock over the match.
However, goalkeeper Austin Ejide, whose poor calculations of Figueriredo's free kick resulted in the first goal, stated that the entire defence line was caught unaware.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw the ball resting in the net. My calculation was that the team captain, Fabrice Akwa was going to put his head. He just dodged it and the ball went in," he said.
On the second goal, Ejide said that Akwa's nod off a corner-kick by Figueriredo could beat anybody.
Homeboy, Osaze Odemwengie, whose moves through out the encounter were cheered by the Benin fans, said that it would have been a disaster if the Eagles had lost the match to the Angolans.
Secretary-General of the NFA, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi screamed moment after the match, that the match against the Angolans had taught the NFA some bitter lessons.
"I would have died if Nigeria had lost the match to Angola. How would I have explained it to Nigerians in the first place? Our era of experimentation is over. The mistake would have caused us a lot of things. We will never try it again because Nigerians would have called for my head," Ogunjobi stated.
Meanwhile, soccer fans in Benin City have accused Coach Christian Chukwu of bias selection of players for the match against the Angolans.
Fans, who spoke with The Guardian at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium shortly after the encounter, faulted Chukwu's selection of nine Igbo-speaking players in the starting line-up for the match.
Efforts to reach Chukwu to defend his action proved abortive.
So Osaze is a homeboy and the rest might as well be from Ebenebe and they are not even greatful that the Igbos have been carring that country for so long while the rest are busy with their 419ing.
posted
Chukwu could have done better. His lack of sportsmanship is going to ruin the Eagles. He should be fired.
___________________ The greatest thing about America is the right to disagree with the power structure without fear of torture or death at the hands of the government Posts: 217 | From: Ogallala, Nebraska, USA | Registered: May 2003
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Thanks again. It is getting curiouser and curiouser. In the Ngwati report I quoted earlier:
quote:Most fans who watched the encounter were equally aghast that Chukwu who gambled with the match expecting an easy win or at most a draw, stood up most times shouting “hey you, hey you” from the sidelines when he wanted to pass instructions as it was glaring he didn’t know the names of some of the players he fielded.
And by the time the Ngwati guardian wrote your own report:
quote:Fans, who spoke with The Guardian at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium shortly after the encounter, faulted Chukwu's selection of nine Igbo-speaking players in the starting line-up for the match.
Chukwu knew the players and Chukwu did NOT know the players. This must be the reason Buhari asked his supporters to tune in abroad.
quote:Bruce Arena's(USA) side dominated the game and had two early chances when Eddie Lewis shots were cleared off the line by Ngassam Falemi and Mettomo
If Cameroun had lost and Turkey defeated Brazil by a wide magin, then Cameroun would have risked facing France. That was why towards the end and in response to USA pressure:
quote: But when Schaefer replaced Job with Samuel Eto'o with 15 minutes remaining, the Americans seemed content to sit back and defend.
Chukwu had to introduce two fresh strikers to pull BiafraNigeria level and put Angola on the back foot for the rest of the game.
quote:Homeboy, Osaze Odemwengie, whose moves through out the encounter were cheered by the Benin fans
That boy was the person Chairman Chukwu gave Okocha's No 10 shirt. He is being groomed to replace Jay Jay.
Na wa for Ngwati press!
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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quote:He also gave the coach Christian Chukwu-led technical crew thumbs up for their efforts so far. “I would like to congratulate him for having done a wonderful job, for qualifying Nigeria for the Nations Cup, even against all odds and against all constraints. I doff my hat for him because I know what it is like being there, I know what he is going through.”
He should know!
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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quote:Daily Independent Online. Thursday 26 June 2003
Ogunjobi blasts Chukwu
By Toyese Oladejo,
Ibadan
Secretary General of the nation’s football body, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi has lashed out at Coach Christian Chukwu for the embarrassment of the country, following the dismal outings of the Super Eagles.
Ogunjobi in an interview maintained that the football association could not afford the unending experimentation of players by the Eagles coaching crew.
The NFA scribe stated that Nigerians expect better results with every match played by the team but regretted that the football association was highly embarrassed by the performance of the team.
The Ede-born chief called on the coaching crew to buckle up and provide the necessary relief for Nigerians by improving with every match.
The secretary general added that the Football Association might consider the appointment of a foreign coach to beef up the team, adding that the Super Eagles should not fail the nation in next year’s African Nations Cup.
The Super Eagles on Saturday in Benin City, Edo State, played a drab 2-2 draw with the Pelican Negros of Angola in a Nations Cup qualify match.
___________________ The greatest thing about America is the right to disagree with the power structure without fear of torture or death at the hands of the government Posts: 217 | From: Ogallala, Nebraska, USA | Registered: May 2003
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quote:Daily Independent Online. Thursday June 26, 2003
Oyo fans want foreign coach
By Toyese Oladejo,
Ibadan
Soccer-loving fans in Oyo State have called on the management of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to immediately appoint a foreign technical adviser.
The fans in separate interviews with Daily Independent in Ibadan, pointed out that the Super Eagles have continued to disappoint Nigeria with each passing match.
According to them, the match played by the team last Saturday was a total sham as the players, led by the Coach Christian Chukwu have shown that they are not good enough for the team.
They averred that the NFA should ensure that a responsible, tactically and technically sound foreign coach is hired to tutor the Super Eagles.
The aggrieved soccer lovers also emphasized the need for the Football Association to employ a good goalkeeper coach to teach the keepers the rudiments of goalkeeping.
They called on President Olusegun Obasanjo to provide necessary funds for the Super Eagles in order to enable the team excel in all their engagements while expressing their resolve to stage a mass protest if the NFA did not accede to their demands.
___________________ The greatest thing about America is the right to disagree with the power structure without fear of torture or death at the hands of the government Posts: 217 | From: Ogallala, Nebraska, USA | Registered: May 2003
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___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
Chukwu storms past Rwanda in world cup qualifier:
BiafraNigeria 2 Rwanda 0
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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