- Olusegun Patrick Odegbami @ 73
…The effervescent Mathematica
Patrick Olusegun Odegbami epitomises some of the best moments in the country’s football development. He was part of the IICC shooting Stars team that won the country’s first continental football club honour in 1976.
And in 1980 he was in the thick of things when the Green Eagles won the coveted African Cup of Nations for the first time.
If my memory serves me right , he scored two goals in Nigeria’s routing of Algeria in the final match which ended 3-0 at the main bowl of the National Stadium,Surulere Lagos watched by a mammoth crowd including the then President, the late Alhaji Sheu Shagari.
Odegbami’s mesmerizing dribbling runs , tailor made passes, incisive crosses ,knack for scoring goals from even impossible angles fetched him the sobriquet , ‘Mathematical’ from another of our best in sports commentary, the late Ernest Okonkwo .
Odegbami was so influential on the field of play that when he got married ,Chief Ebenezer Obey waxed a record in his honour thus ; Segun Odegbami segbeyawo , aye gbo , orun mo , gbogbo IICC ( some say Island Suzzy) lo pe ju.After calling time on his professional career in football, Odegbami has used the last forty three years in the service of sports , education broadcasting and the country.
Let’s salute a patriot, Captain of the national football team , a trained engineer , politician and promoter of a Radio Station and Football academy, a legend in his own right , our very own Big Sheg on his 73rd birthday.Advertisement
May the Good Lord continue to bless and prosper you .
CONGRATULATIONS sir
