Samuel Ibiam, Nigeria’s first
goalkeeper, is dead.
Ibiam 91, died in the early hours of
Wednesday at the Federal Medical
Centre Umuahia, Abia State.
The nation’s pioneer goal tender,
who hailed from Unwana, Ebonyi
State, the same town with the late
nationalist, Ezeogo Akanu Ibiam,
had a flourishing football career
that spanned three decades, 15 of
which was with the national team.
Chief Jasper Okoro, a retired
footballer and coach, who was
mentored by the late Sam Ibiam,
confirmed his death.
Ibiam’s football skill was identified
at the Church of Scotland Mission
School, Unwana before he
proceeded to Hope Waddel
Institute, Calabar.
In 1947, he was the goalkeeper of
the first national football team that
toured the United Kingdom, playing
notable English teams like Liverpool
FC.
The team eventually
metamorphosed to Green Eagles
after the nation’s Independence. He
manned the post last for the nation
in 1962.
Two notable contemporaries of the
late soccer legend were Teslim
Balogun and Dan Anyiam.
Chief Okoro described the death as
the “exit of the most indefatigable
legend of soccer in Nigeria”.
He called on the Ebonyi State
Government to honour this fallen
hero, including participating fully in
his funeral.


http://theeagleonline.com.ng/nigerias-first-goalkeeper-dies-at-91/

Ok

rip

RIP our HERO

RIP HERO