The need for Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper at all times has been stressed as players of the 1983 set of the Flying Eagles award full scholarship to the son of their late Captain Ali Jeje.
Revealing this to ait.live Paul Okoku who was the vice captain to Ali Jeje in 1983 said the players who are still in touch 41 years after, decided to award full scholarship to Abdulrahman Jeje to ease the burden on the family and dependants the late Ali Jeje left behind.
Okoku said they embarked on the historic endeavor also as a demonstration of how Nigerians can strive to look after themselves without waiting for government support all the time.
Maintaining that Ali Jeje’s leadership was key to the Mexico 83 Flying Eagles’ emergence as the first Nigerian National Football Team to a FIFA World Cup, they feel obligated to support their late captain’s family without waiting for the government.
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The first time a Nigerian flag was raised and flown on the world football stage was at the Mexico 83 World Youth Championship now FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Alongside Okoku who now resides in the United States and the late captain Ali jeje, other players in the illustrious squad include Femi Olukanni, Segun Olukanni, Dehinde Akinlotan, Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Tarila Okorowanta, Tajudeen Disu, Dahiru Sadi, Amaechi Otti, Raymond King, Humphrey Edobor, Patrick Udoh and Manu Garba among others.
The 1983 Flying Eagles’ squad coached by late Christopher Udemezue also had fantastic players who are now deceased including defender Yisa Sofoluwe, left winger Christopher Anigala as well as goalkeepers Wilfred Agbonavbare and Raymond King all of blessed memory.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
