Emmanuel Okala

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Emmanuel Okala

| image =

| image_size =

| fullname = Emmanuel Oguajiofor Okala

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1951|5|17|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria

| height = {{height|m=1.98}}

| youthyears1 = 1966–1970

| youthclubs1 = Onitsha Red Devils

| years1 = 1971–1980

| clubs1 = Enugu Rangers

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| position = Goalkeeper

| nationalyears1 = 1972–1980

| nationalteam1 = Nigeria[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/okala-intl.html Emmanuel Oguajiofor Okala - International Appearances]

| nationalcaps1 = 59

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Competition|African Cup of Nations}}

| pcupdate =

| ntupdate =

}}

Emmanuel Anthony Oguejiofo Okala {{IPAc-en||audio=Ig-Emmanuel_Okala.ogg}}(born May 17, 1951) is a former footballer who played for the Nigerian national football team from 1972 to 1980.{{cite news|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/new/emmanuel-okala-memoirs-of-nigerias-tallest-goalkeeper/ |title=EMMANUEL OKALA: Memoirs of Nigeria's tallest goalkeeper |work=The Sun |date=5 November 2012 |accessdate=30 August 2015 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was named "Footballer of the Year" in 1978, and was part of the Nigeria team that won the 1980 African Cup of Nations tournament.{{cite news|url=http://www.mobi.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/121121/Emmanuel_Okala_Iroko_in_the_net |title=Emmanuel Okala - Iroko in the net |work=SuperSports |author=Iwedi Ojinmah |date=21 November 2012 |accessdate=30 August 2015 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Career

In the late 1970s and 80s Emmanuel was Africa's Best known goal keeper of his time. He kept for the Rangers International of Enugu and the Green Eagles as the National Team was then. He spent his Youth playing for Clubs and country. In 1977, he created a record which may yet be equalled, being voted the African Footballer of the Year, the first time for a goal keeper. He was in goal for Enugu Rangers against AS Police of Senegal in the first leg quarter finals of the African Winners Cup.{{Cite web |last=Nwafor |date=2020-12-05 |title=Okala angry, says Nigeria has neglected her heroes |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/okala-angry-says-nigeria-has-neglected-her-heroes/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}} His superlative saves in the encounter greatly contributed to Rangers' victory and won him great recognition, which guaranteed his triumph in the vote later that year.

He captained the Green Eagles to ECOWAS games Soccer Gold over Ghana. He was hired as Super Eagles keeper's trainer. He hardly settled before the NFA fired him for not possessing certificates.{{Cite web |last=Nwafor |date=2020-12-05 |title=Okala angry, says Nigeria has neglected her heroes |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/okala-angry-says-nigeria-has-neglected-her-heroes/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}

Emmanuel Okala, Christian Chukwu, Segun Odegbami, Henry Nwosu among others who played the round leather game attended the Airpeace Investiture Award for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The Chairman of Airpeace, Chief Allen Onyema hosted the event to honour the Nigerian Football legends who boycotted the 1976 Montreal Olympics held in Canada in demonstration against the apartheid regime in South Africa.{{Cite web |last=biodunbusari@vanguardngr.com |date=2023-07-28 |title=Odegbami, Okala, Chukwu, other Montreal Olympics' Eagles grace Airpeace Investiture Award |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/07/odegbami-okala-chukwu-other-montreal-olympics-eagles-grace-airpeace-investiture-award/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}} He played for the Green Eagles from 1972 to 1980{{Cite web |last=Okogba |first=Emmanuel |date=2021-05-17 |title=Okala at 70: Sports minister eulogises former Green Eagles goalkeeper |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/05/okala-at-70-sports-minister-eulogises-former-green-eagles-goalkeeper/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}

Personal life

His younger brother Patrick was also a Nigerian International Goal Keeper. When he died in 1991 Emmanuel expected the Government to support his family. He was forced to retire from the National Team after NFA officials refused Coach Otto Gloria to field him in AFCON grand finale against Algeria. After Rangers lifted the winners cup in 1977, Okala became hot cake in Cameroon and was offered Nationality{{Cite web |last=Nwafor |date=2020-12-05 |title=Okala angry, says Nigeria has neglected her heroes |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/okala-angry-says-nigeria-has-neglected-her-heroes/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}

Honours / Awards

=Individual=

Voted Footballer of The Year Award by African Sports Journalists Union – 1978
He won all African Games Gold - 1973{{Cite web |last=Nwafor |date=2020-12-05 |title=Okala angry, says Nigeria has neglected her heroes |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/okala-angry-says-nigeria-has-neglected-her-heroes/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}