FIRST_WORLD_CUP_TROPHY_IN_NIGERIA_AND_AFRICA

Not many Nigerians know that the country won a world cup in football back in 1977. Most Nigerians would regale you with stories of 1985 when Nigeria won the maiden Kodak Under-16 world cup through the Nduka Ugbade-led team. The unknown truth is that Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha won the world schools cup in Dublin, Ireland back in 1977. Africa was regarded as the backdoor of soccer until Rev. Fr. Nicholas Chukwuemeka Tagbo (OON), the school principal and the coach,Chukwuma Igweonwu (AKA ‘Bonsue’) led Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha to win the International Schools Sports Sports Federation [ISSF] Championships in Dublin, Ireland on July 9, 1977. That sterling performance shocked the world. No African team ever got close to the trophy and no black African team had taken part in the tournament. It was Nigeria’s debut, all ended well as CKC defeated Turkey 6-5 penalties in the grand finale. Full and overtime scores stood at 2-2. CKC Onitsha who after winning the Anambra State and Nigerian Academical Cup in 1977 then went ahead to represent Africa in the global competition in Dublin, and ended up carting the coveted cup home. CKC earned their ticket to represent Nigeria after winning the Manuwa/Adebajo Cup for Nigerian Secondary Schools in 1976. The CKC team that won the cup was made up of the crack goalkeepers Peter Ogbodo and Paul Obiakor; ace defenders Sylvester Ezeani, Amaechi ‘Darkness’ Igweobi, Benjamin Uzoka, Valentine Nnadi, and Mbanefo Chukwurah; astute midfielders Arthur Ebunam, Patrick Ikeagu, and Ugochukwu Nebedum; wily wingers Chibo Offodile and Samuel Igwenagu; and of course the deadly strikers, Skipper Nnamdi Nwokocha "Camel" and Okey Ozoh. The CKC boys played seven matches in the competition and did not lose any match. Germany, The Netherlands, Italy and Turkey were the previous countries that won the tournament. Some 14 countries took part in the tourney. Aside from winning the tournament trophy, the CKC stars won the best-behaved team trophy. The boys of CKC Onitsha beat Luxemburg 2-0 with Skipper Nnamdi “Camel” Nwokocha scoring both goals. The boys went ahead to pip France 1-0 with Nwokocha scoring the only goal. Finland fell 2-0 with Nwokocha also netting both goals. The CKC boys annihilated Denmark 8-0 with the strikers Nwokocha and Okey Ozoh scoring hat-tricks while the wingers, Chibo Offodile and Samual Igwenagu, bagged the remaining two goals. The all-conquering team had to settle for a 1-1 draw with the host nation Ireland with Skipper Nwokocha scoring CKC’s only goal. Holland suffered a 1-0 loss as Okey Ozoh scored the winner. In the pulsating final against Turkey, the CKC boys led with two goals from the lethal boots of Okey Ozoh before the Turkish lads equalized, thereby forcing a penalty shootout which CKC won 7-5, with the winning kick coming from Patrick Ikeagu. CKC impressed their Irish hosts and were presented with a special cup by president of the Sports Commission of Ireland. The team also won the Fair Play Trophy, a special trophy for participating in the tourney and 22 gold medals for players and officials. Thus Nigeria won her first ever world cup in 1977, but the country is yet to give these breakthrough CKC boys their deserving due. Nigeria soccer history will not be complete without celebrating our young lads from CKC, Onitsha. Some of the winners have passed away such as Skipper Nwokocha MON, but the living ones like Hon Arthur Ebunam are ready pointers to what needs to be done to honour our “Heroes past” in the words of the National Anthem. Worthy of note is that Christ the King College was founded in 1933 by Irish missionaries led by the then Archbishop of Onitsha, Archbishop Charles Heerey. Among the eminent products of the school are the late Rev. Fr. N.C. Tagbo OON (World cup principal 1977), Dominic Cardinal Ekandem (Ist Nigerian Cardinal), Archbishop Valeria Okeke (Archbishop of Onitsha), Chief Chike Ofodile SAN (Former Attorney General of Nigeria), late Justice Chukwudifu Oputah (Oputa Panel), Justice Chuba Ikpeazu (Best NFA Chairman-Miracle of Dammam 1989), Justice Peter N.C Umeadi, Justice Agbakoba, Justice Okadigbo, Justice Anthony Aniagolu, Justice Idigbe, HRH Obi Ofala Okague (Obi of Onitsha), HRH Justice Ambrose Allagoa (Amanyanabo of Nembe), HRH Igwe Charles Abangwu (Ezeigwe of Eha Alumona), HRH Prof. Chike Edozien (Asagba of Asaba), HRH Igwe Austin Ezenwa (Agbalanze Abagana). Other include Prof. Chike Obi (Mathematician), Dr. Pius Okigbo (Economist), Philip Emeagwali (computer), Senator Mike Ajegbo, Chief Oscar Udoji, Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku, Prince Felix Esayande Akenzua, Dr. Ene Henshaw, Governors Peter Odili of Rivers, Peter Obi (Anambra), Dr. Willie Obiano (Anambra), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Arc. Frank Mbanefo, Prof. Pat Utomi, John Munonye, Oseloka Obaze and so many other personalities too numerous to mention. In word of CKC anthem "May the fame of our college last forever". Primus!!! Inter Pares!!! Ref: Uzor Maxim Uzoatu and Emeka Obasi