Growing up in the Surulere area of Lagos Mainland greatly exposed me to organised football in Nigeria.The National Stadium, which was opened in 1972, the Teslim Balogun Stadium [then known as the Lagos Temporary Stadium] and the multiple football arenas in Surulere, were walking distances from our house and this allowed me the opportunity to watch, first hand, and via the magnanimity of my senior brothers, numerous football matches at local, national and international levels. Indeed, the Second All-African Games gave me sweet memories even as a child and I can still recollect the final match, inside the main bowl of the National Stadium, where the Nigerian Green Eagles defeated Guinea to win the soccer gold.But, it was the club level matches that really turned me into a football aficionado, a fanatic of sort. And the rivalries between the local teams especially the Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and the Industrial and Investment Credit Corporation [IICC] Football Club of Ibadan now called the Shooting Stars Football Club will forever remain in my memory.Christian Chukwu, the then captain of Rangers International, epitomised the soul of a team that wore the badge of the people of the South East of Nigeria in their hearts with a deep sense of pride. The team was a rallying point for a people known for their never-say-die spirit.Of course, Rangers International did not disappoint. In their immaculate all-white jerseys, they ruled the land for many years, for instance, winning the popular Football Association [FA] Cup then called the Challenge Cup three times in a row from 1974 to 1976. At the continental level, they reached the final of Africa’s then premium competition, the African Champions’ Cup, in 1975, where they lost to Hafia FC of Guinea before going on to win the continent’s then second football competition, the African Winners’ Cup in 1977. Rangers International’s arch rival, the IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, had won same competition a year earlier, in 1976, becoming the first Nigerian club side to achieve success at the continental level. Winning was second nature to the Enugu Rangers International and Captain Chukwu was the valiant leader of the team. With such other impressive colleagues like Matthias Obianika, Stanley Okoronkwo, Christian Madu, Ogidi Ibeabuchi, the Atuegbu brothers [Andrew and Alloysius] and the great goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okalla, the team bestrode the Nigerian football world like a Colossus. Captain Christian Chukwu carried his leadership skills and aura to the national team and it was telling that during his time as captain, from 1974 to 1980, the then Green Eagles proudly carried the country to great heights, winning third place at the African Cup of Nations twice, in 1976 and 1978, before winning the competition in front of a home crowd in Lagos in 1980 with a resounding defeat of Algeria. The team was immensely blessed with the likes of Segun Odegbami [who scored two goals in the final], Mudashiru Lawal [who also scored in the final], Adokiye Amasiemeka, Felix Owolabi, Okey Isima, David Adiele, Best Ogedegbe, among others. It was a golden generation that made the country proud although they failed to earn a World Cup ticket albeit getting close on two occasions.Thereafter, that golden generation passed their time and another set of players came to the national scene.Chairman Chukwu had a commanding presence on the field of play; a tough defender whose tackles were feared by many opponents, a mobiliser of his colleagues even when things weren’t going on well and a natural leader on and off the pitch. His trademark style of rolling his stocking just above his ankles stood him out on the pitch as a player ready and willing to give his all for the team.He went on to a coaching career with commendable success at the local and national levels – he once coached the Kenyan National football team.But, in later years, the legendary defender found himself defending his life against certain health challenges, which ultimately led to his exit from earth.Chairman Christian Chukwu etched his name in gold in the history of Nigerian football. He served both club and country diligently and was passionate as well as dutiful in his service.Rest on, Chairman Chukwu!
