By Eniola Olatunji reporting AT The Stadia for Patmos Media Line
…Nostalgic moments by a Sports Journalist who saw it all…
SUNDAY, 22ND March 1980, exactly 46 years ago I sat at the air-conditioned commentary box (broadcast section) as a rookie journalist covering the 12th African Cup of Nations AFCON Football finals.
The 12th AFCON ran from 8th to 22nd March 1980 at two centres.
The moments were electric as Nigeria, my country lifted her maiden trophy. Patrick Olusegun Odegbami scored a brace and Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal scored to make it Nigeria 3 Algeria 0. Very nostalgic moments.
The baba of Radio Commentaries, Ishola Folorunsho aka Itssss aaa goaaal, led the team of radio commentators that included Earnest Okonkwo; Kelvin Ejiofor and Tolu Fatoyinbo. I wasn’t even qualified to be a stringer (terminology for commentary assistants) as uncle Yemi Fadipe was lead stringer.
On the TV Commentaries, the lead commentator Fabio Olanipekun was assisted by Yinka Craig who we shared same July 8 birthday together. There was Walter Oyatogun in the TV crew.
I earned my seat in the commentary box as a sports journalist for the Nations Model Station, the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation OGBC then. Long long time ago.
Right now, I see Nigeria’s captain, Christian Chukwu aka Chairman lift the trophy presented by the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Aliyu Usman Shehu Shagari who had to put aside two of his props to perform the ceremony.
His props were a wooden clapper, an invention of Nigerian Carpenters to increase the decibel of noise of our support for the Eagles. Our President had two on his side table and his second prop, his packet of Benson & Hedges cigarettes.
Cover picture is President Shagari presenting the trophy to Chairman Christian Chukwu on 22nd March 1980.
I remember Nigeria celebrated hosting AFCON then at two centres, National Stadium Lagos and the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. One of the items was that typical OWAMBE SPIRIT of Nigerians made us buy aso ebi. I sewed a complete Agbada.
I was Yomi Kassim on the register of Journalists put together then for AFCON by Ajibade Fashina Thomas (Jabby) and Babatunde Laguda (Abilags). Now still roving the side lines not with my microphone as in those days but with my pen and pare as Eniola Olatunji I am pleased to write this unto you.
