45th Anniversary of first Nigeria AFCON victory: Odegbami remembers historic moment

‘Mathematical’ Segun Odegbami says he will remain grateful to God for what he has achieved in his life as a footballer, particularly for being a member of the Green Eagles team that won the first of Nigeria’s three Africa Cup of Nations titles.

In post on Whatssap, Odegbami recounts the historic event and moment.

‘Exactly 45 years ago to the day, March 22, 1980, Nigeria won her AFCON for the first time in the country’s history. I was a humble member of that wonderful Green (now Super) Eagles squad.

‘Two years before that at the Ghana 1978 AFCON I was also joint highest goalscorer of that edition of the championship.

‘Even though I did not consider myself a classic goalscorer, because I played mostly from the right wing as an outright winger, for the short 6 years that I played for the National team, the country began to expect me to score the goals. I obliged and the rest in history.

‘Yesterday, supreme goalscorer and centre-forward, Victor Osimhen, surpassed my record of 23 goals accumulated in 46 matches for the country!

‘Today, I give thanks to the Creator of the Universe for the gift of life and the opportunity to have represented my country and to be lavishly recognized and honoured by the country and my people for 45 long years.

‘Today, one behalf of the entire Eagles’ squad of 1980, I congratulate Nigeria for yesterday’s incredible victory in Kigali, and Victor Osimhen for his individual achievement.

‘This morning, someone sent me a short clip of the two goals that I scored on that day, goals that made me joint top scorer of the Championship,’ Odegbami wrote.