In Nigeria, just like in other parts of the world, football can be said to run in the blood of some families. During the recently concluded AFCON 2019 tournament in Egypt, the Abedi brothers, sons of the great Abedi Pele, Dede and Jordan dazzled in the colours of the Black Stars of Ghana. In fact, soccer history is replete with stories of brothers doing it for either club or country and in some cases both.
In Nigeria, the exploits of the Babayaro brothers (Emmanuel and Celestine), the Odegbami brothers (Mathematical Segun and Wole) and the Uche brothers (Kalu and Ike) ready come to mind.
We serve you this special feature on famous Nigerian soccer star families.
By George Aluo and Ephraim Nwosu
Odegbami brothers:
The story of Nigerian football can not be complete without mention being made of Segun Mathematical Odegbami.
Odegbami was brought up in the northern city of Jos, Plateau State. He won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for the National Team, and guided Nigeria to its first Africa Cup of Nations title at the 1980 tournament on home soil. He was famous for his skill on the ball, speed and precision of his crosses from the right wing. He played for IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan his entire career, from 1970 to 1984. His last game was the 1984 African Champions Cup final defeat to Zamalek of Egypt.
Segun’s younger brother Joseph Oluwole “Wole” Odegbami (born 5 October 1962) also laced boots for Nigeria. He scored twice in 18 appearances for his country. He was a member of the team that competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
Okala brothers
Emmanuel Okala and his late younger brother, Patrick Okala are among Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers of all times and as such will ever remain in the memory of Nigerians for a long time to come.
Both brothers were at various times in goal for the Nigerian national team in the 80s and 90s. It would be recalled that Emmanuel is prided as Nigeria’s first “African Footballer of the Year’’ after inspiring Enugu Rangers to win 1977 African Winners Cup now CAF Confederations Cup before helping Nigeria to win the 1980 African Cup of Nations etching his name forever in the history of Nigerian football because all were “firsts’’. Emmanuel is a holder of Order of Nigeria. The 68-year-old 6 feet inches nicknamed “Iroko” will always remain much loved and a darling of the fans who stood in applause despite 33 years after he last played for Nigeria.
Okocha brothers
Jay-Jay was actually the nickname of Austin Okocha’s elder brother James, who started playing football when he was still a kid. His immediate elder brother (Emma) inherited the nickname Jay-Jay when he joined Eagles in the late 90s, but the name stuck with Austin Okocha who is believed to be the greatest footballer of them all. His football artistry made him one of the most popular and loved Nigerian players of all times.
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Emma was a member of the Super Eagles squad that participated at the 1990 African Cup of Nations and scored Nigeria’s lone goal in the 1-5 loss to Algeria in the opening match. Austin his younger brother rose to stardom at a time his career was nose diving.
Babayaro brothers
Celestine Babayaro former Anderlecht defender was signed by Chelsea in 1997 for a transfer fee of 2.25 million, a club record paid for a teenager at the time. During his time at Chelsea, the team won the FA Cup and Charity Shield in 2000, and reached the 2002 FA Cup final.
His elder brother, Emmanuel, a former goalkeeper was said to be a keen central midfielder as a child, but his brother Celestine would force him to play in goal, hitting him until he gave in. It was in this position that his goal keeping talent was noticed. Emmanuel who has since become a leading Nollywood movie producer alongside Celestine his younger brother famously won the Atlanta Olympic gold with Nigeria’s Dream Team. Being part of that team that brought joy and honor to Nigerians endeared them to millions of Nigerian ball fans across the world.
Yobo brothers
Joseph Yobo: Though his elder brother came to the stage before him but as fate would have it, he rose to become the most popular and successful among the Yobo brothers. He was the former captain of the Nigeria national team for which he had 101 caps, making him the most capped Nigerian player of all time. In 2007,Yobo set up the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, to help under-privileged children in Nigeria.As of 2019, he had handed over 300 scholarship awards ranging from primary to university level. He runs a football academy Known as Yobo’s Boys.Yobo, well known for his generosity was among the 364 Nigerians honored with the 2011 national merit award in recognition of his humanitarian services to the nation.
Oruma brothers
The Orumas are perhaps the most successful in the Nigerian football fraternity. They are five in number with Wilson as the family torch bearer and eldest among them. Wilson spent most of his football career in France, after arriving at RC Lens in 1994.He was part of the Nigeria U-17 team which won the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup, captaining his side and becoming the tournament’s top goal scorer with six goals. He played 19 times for Nigeria and was part of the team that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
He was also a member of the famous Dream Team 4 squad that became the toast of Nigeria football fans after winning the Olympic gold medal in 1996.
He retired from professional football in 2010 to venture into real estate. Dominic his younger brother who played for Flying Eagles, Delta United and Sharks FC of Port Harcourt is now a multi-millonaire after quitting football to become an oil and gas magnate just as Johnson is a Shell contractor in Warri. Wilson’s other siblings, Paul is a renowned politician in Delta state while Daniel is a pastor. All the Oruma brothers played for the national teams except Daniel.
Ekwueme brothers
The Ekwuemes are another notable big football family in Nigeria with Ifeanyi the leading light. Ifeanyi, a house hold name in Poland, came into limelight when he shunned the Polish national team to play for Nigeria at the 2004 African Cup of Nations. His career was almost ruined when he was banned by FIFA after he was found guilty of double registration in 2005.
His big move to Poland from Jasper United in 1999 opened doors for his brothers (Sunday, Paschal, Lucky and former Flying Eagles midfielder, Martins Nnabugwu) as well as scores of Nigerian footballers. Oluchi their sister is also a footballer and had a stint with the Super Falcons.
Uche brothers
These identical brothers (Kalu and Ikechukwu) may not have been in the good books of late Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, they however remain fans favourites. The former Super Eagles coach was heavily attacked by Nigerians across the globe for excluding the duo from the Nigerian squad that campaigned at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as well as the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. As a result of that Keshi lost his popularity which eventually led to his sack. But following his reinstatement as the Super Eagles coach by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Big Boss had no choice but to recall the Uche brothers despite vowing to keep the one time Villarreal goal machine in international wilderness throughout his reign as Nigeria’s coach.
Kanu brothers
Papillo as Nwankwo Kanu is better known is arguably Nigeria’s most decorated footballer of all times. He won 86 caps for Nigeria and was the joint most capped Nigerian player of all-time alongside Muda Lawal, until Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama surpassed their records with 101 caps.Floating the Kanu Heart Foundation, a charity organization where he gives back to the society coupled with playing for Arsenal regarded as one of the most loved teams in the world has no doubt given him a special place in the heart of Nigerian ball fans.His younger brother Ogbonna was capped three times in the Super Eagles and was a member of the senior national team that took part at the Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Obi brothers
John Mikel Obi ‘s football career has been a colossal success .Having played for a great side like Chelsea which again is regarded as one of the most loved teams in the world makes him fans favorite where ever he goes across the globe. Mikel whose net worth is about 30 million US dollars is ranked Africa’s seventh richest player in 2019, little wonder he has used his wealth to touch thousands of the less privileged kids both at home and abroad. Popularity of the 32-year-old in Nigeria has fetched him a number of big endorsement deals with Pepsi, Samsung, Peak , Amstel Malta and Globacom among others. Little known Ebere, his elder brother was an erstwhile Rangers shot stopper but now with Heartland FC of Owerri.
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Finidi brothers
Finidi George and late Igeniwari George were two brothers who will linger in the memory of Nigerian football fans for a long time. Finidi played for the Super Eagles in two FIFA World Cups,1994 and 1998. He scored a great goal at the USA 94 World Cup against Greece in a 2-0 win, proceeding to mimic a urinating dog whilst celebrating. The promising career of his younger brother, Igeniwari George was cut short by an unknown fan who shot him at the Liberty stadium, Ibadan shortly after a league game between his club, Enugu Rangers and 3SC FC.
Enyeama brothers
Vincent Enyeama was former Nigeria and Lille of France first choice goalkeeper. Prior to his move to Europe, he had stints with Ibom Stars, Heartland FC of Owerri and Enyimba where he helped the team win the elusive CAF Champions League twice. Enyeama and Yobo are joint most capped Nigerian players with 101 caps.
Philip, the immediate elder brother of Vincent used to be a centre back defender during his playing days. He did not play for too long before quitting the stage for his younger brother to take over. Until his retirement, Philip featured for AJ Auxerre and his brother’s former club Lille both in France.
Utaka brothers
John Utaka was in the Super Eagles squad that took part at the 2006 African Cup of Nations, in which Nigeria finished third. He was also part of the Nigerian team that participated at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. The former Portsmouth striker has played 43 times for Nigeria with six goals in his kitty. Peter, his younger brother has been capped only seven times during which he netted three goals. The super rich Utaka brothers have used their wealth to touch the hearts of thousands of upcoming footballers in Enugu state.
Amuneke brothers
The leading light in the Amuneke football dynasty is Emmanuel. The 1994 African Footballer of the Year played locally for Julius Berger FC of Lagos before moving abroad to play for top clubs like Zamalek, Sporting Lisbon and FC Barcelona where he was bought for US$3.6 million then. Amuneke played 27 games for Nigeria scoring nine goals. He would be best remembered for his flying goal against Greece as well as his winning goal against Argentina at the Atlanta 96 Olympic Games. The goal threw the whole nation into celebration mood just as they danced till dawn. The erstwhile African Footballer of the Year was part of the Golden Eaglets coaching crew that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE .Amuneke’s two siblings, Kingsley and Kevin plied their trade in Portugal and Sweden. They both featured briefly for the national team under coach Christian Chukwu.
Bazuayes
The Bazuayes are Nigeria’s version of the famous Maldini’s of Italy.(Cesare and Paulo).While Willy Bazuaye will be best remembered for being a member of the coaching crew that propelled the Dream Team 4 to clinch the Atlanta 96 Olympic gold medal, his son Bauldwin will mostly be remembered for being a key member of the historic squad that lifted the maiden edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985.Just like Paulo Maldini, Bauldwin learnt a lot of football tricks from his dad as he was privileged to play under him at a point in his career.