https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR_5clqZZf8?si=czYpevqeX7NWQt1H

Rangers International celebrate 50 years since Christian Chukwu first became captain.


It is 50 years since Christian Chukwu first became captain of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and the club decided to celebrate the event with a football match and a dinner.

Here are photos from the event.

1) Chairman Christian Chukwu, Man Mountain Emmanuel Okala (former Rangers and Green Eagles goalkeeper), Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai (Deputy Governor of Enugu State), Chief Jim Nwobodo (former general manager of Rangers and Governor of Anambra State) and other dignitaries at the event.

Picture 4) Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai (Deputy Governor of Enugu State) and Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo (former general manager of Rangers and Governor of Anambra State).

More pictures from the event.

Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo was General Manager of Rangers International during one of its most successful eras and he leveraged on this popularity to contest the Anambra State governorship election. He served as the Governor of Old Anambra State (which included present day Enugu State) from 1979 till 1983.

The Chairman, the Man Mountain and Rangers most successful era

Christian Chukwu captained Rangers during their most successful era. He captained Rangers to win the Nigerian League in 1974 and to reach the final of the 1975 African Cup of Champion Clubs (the forerunner of the CAF Champions League), where they lost to Hafia of Guinea.

Rangers also won the 1976 Nigerian FA Cup and the 1977 African Cup Winners Cup.

Picture 1) The Head of State, Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, the Captain of Rangers International, Christian Chukwu, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, A.A. Fashina-Thomas, the Team Manager of Rangers International, Chief Egwu and Chief Alex Nwokedi (Chief Press Secretary to the Head of State).

Look at the way General Obasanjo is looking up at Man Mountain Emmanuel Okala in the lower part of the picture.

This was at State House, Dodan Barracks when Rangers International went to present the 1977 African Cup Winners Cup trophy to the Head of State.


Picture 2) Chairman Christian Chukwu and Man Mountain Emmanuel Okala last weekend.

I often confuse my friends by telling them that Christian Chukwu was the first person to win the African Nations Cup as a player and coach.

They'll argue and argue with me, then I'll provide evidence.

I'll explain.

The Wonder Boy, Paul Hamilton, was chief coach of the Green Eagles. However, the NFA decided that we needed some foreign experience, so they hired a German called Manfred Horner to be the technical adviser of the team. Horner led us to the 1988 African Cup of Nations and the 1988 Olympics before he was sacked.

Paul Hamilton continued to coach the team on his own.

Then in 1989 the NFA hired Clemens Westerhof as technical adviser.

This was demoralising and infuriating for Paul Hamilton. The NFA did not treat the Wonder Boy well. He often had to hire buses to take the team to training (with his own money), he was often owed salaries, etc. Yet the NFA had brought another foreigner to be his boss.

Anyway, Nigeria lost its final World Cup qualifying match to Cameroon. There were allegations that Paul Hamilton gave Westerhof bad advice (this was Westerhof's first match). Anyway, Paul Hamilton was removed from the position of chief coach.

After some time, Christian Chukwu was appointed chief coach of the Super Eagles. He was chief coach during the 1992 and 1994 African Nations Cups and the 1994 World Cup.

Christian Chukwu was also the captain of the Green Eagles when Nigeria won the 1980 African Cup of Nations. He won the Golden Ball for the best player at the tournament.

Christian Chukwu was captain when Nigeria won the 1980 African Nations Cup and he was Chief Coach when we won the 1994 African Nations Cup.

(Of course FIFA, CAF and the media recognise Clemens Westerhof as the chief coach, but his official title was technical adviser).

Picture 1) Clemens Westerhof on the extreme right and Christian Chukwu on the extreme left, with the Super Eagles at the 1992 African Nations Cup.

Picture 2) A picture of my 1993 Complete Football Magazine. It reads:

How they slept (at Papendal).

Room 361-Uche Okafor/Austin Eguavoen (Defenders)

Room 362-Ike Shorunmu/Edema Fuludu (Home based)

Room 363-Nduka Ugbade/Emeka Ezeugo ("Destroyers)

Room364-Colonel Anthony Asielue (Camp Commandant)

Room365- Peter Rufai/Samson Siasia (Ex-Lokeren)

Room366- Alloy Agu/Ben Iroha (Dutch connection)

Room367-Isaac Semitoje/Thompson Oliha (Ex-Iwuanyanwu)

Room368- Sunday Oliseh/Efan Ekoku (New Super Eagles)

Room369- Dr Amao (Team Doctor)

Room370-Christian Chukwu (Chief Coach)

Room371-Clemens Westerhof (Technical Adviser)

Pictures 3 and 4) President Shehu Shagari presents the African Nations Cup to Christian Chukwu.

African Cup of Champions Clubs Quarter-Final (2nd Leg): Rangers 2-1 Green Buffalos F.C. | Sept. 1975

Saturday, September 27th 1975.

Footage of Nigerian team Enugu Rangers defeating Green Buffalos of Zambia 2-1 in the second leg of a quarter-final match of the African Cup of Champions Clubs tournament.

Rangers came from a goal down and went through to the semi-final having drawn 2-2 with their Zambian opponents two weeks earlier in Lusaka.

The first goal of the match came in the 70th minute of the second half courtesy of the Buffalos skipper Lonesome Katiwa, who capitalised on a defensive error by Rangers captain, Christian Chukwu. But right-winger, Emeka Onyedika scored the equaliser a few minutes later. Foster Ikeagwu made it 2-1 in the 81st minute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWXtthwHQ7c?si=SuYKZdO8Plraoj6M

African Cup of Champions Clubs Final (2nd Leg): Rangers 1-2 Hafia F.C. | December 1975

Saturday, December 20th 1975.

Hafia F. C. defeated Enugu Rangers 2-1 away in the second leg of the African Cup of Champions Clubs Final, making the aggregate score 3-1.

A capacity crowd of 70,000 filled the National Stadium in Lagos to watch the match.

Rangers took the lead after 19 minutes when inside-left Mathias Obianika scored from the penalty spot.

Haifa's defence absorbed Rangers' pressure. and on occasion took the opportunity to turn defence into attack with a series of sweeping pick-up moves against the Rangers' goal.

Haifa came close to scoring in the twenty-fourth minute, but Emmanuel Okala, the Rangers & Nigerian national goalkeeper, made a superb save to stop Ibrahim Sory Keita.

The visitors began the second half by taking all the initiative in midfield with some top-quality attacking soccer. It was only thanks to the sterling efforts of goalkeeper Okala and captain Christian Chukwu that Rangers kept the score level.

Haifa equalised in the 57th minute when Keita managed to put the ball past Okala. It gave the Guineans a 2-1 lead on aggregate.

Rangers made two team changes, bringing on Francis Nwosu to replace Emeka Onyedika in attack, and Stanley Okonkwo as substitute for the injured Kenneth Ilodogwe. But the replacements did little to affect the match.

With only minutes to go, Cherif Souleymane scored the goal that ensured Haifa's success. His penalty made the score 2-1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67SBPQbumiU?si=byV-1TOMyK85187I

April fools day....Happy (EASTER) New Month to all NL members earning via online....in this time and season.



Wittyness

Clemens Westerhof and Christian Chukwu left the national team after the 1994 World Cup.

Chukwu went to coach in Lebanon, then he was invited to coach Nigeria. He left his job in Lebanon to return home, but the NFA didn't give him the Eagles' job. He eventually went to coach the Kenyan National Team.

However, in 2003, Christian Chukwu was appointed coach of the Super Eagles and this time he was the boss.

These are my favourite moments from his tenure.

Nigeria played a 2004 Nations Cup game, but the coach of the other team held his press conference exclusively in French or Arabic. There were no translations for Nigerian journalists.

When it was time for the Super Eagles' press conference, Nigerian journalists protested that the Nigerians should not speak English. During the commotion Christian Chukwu said in Igbo, "What's happening? What's going on"?

---

Nigeria played Zimbabwe in Harare in 2004. There was some friction between the Nigerian and Zimbabwean Governments at the time and there were fears that Zimbabwean fans would attack the Eagles. SSS agents were detailed to accompany the Eagles.

There is a story that the Zimbabwean TV commentator was sacked for praising Jay Jay Okocha too much. Some Zimbabweans say the story is true, while others say that government officials already had beef with the commentator and that they used the Jay Jay story as an excuse.

Zimbabwe 0-3 Nigeria.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYnbKwypyxk?si=_4M7_Ls-j2najFvR

Christian Chukwu coached Nigeria to win a bronze medal at the 2004 African Nations Cup.

1975 to 1977 was the Nigerian Era in African club football.

In 1975 Rangers International of Enugu got to the final of the African Cup of Champion Clubs, but lost to Hafia of Guinea.

In 1976 IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan defeated Tonerre Kalara of Cameroon to win the African Cup Winners Cup.

In 1977 Rangers International of Enugu defeated Canon Yaounde to win the African Cup Winners Cup.

In more recent times, Christian Chukwu became the general manager of Rangers International.

However, he had to step down from the role due to ill health. He fell very ill and could barely walk.

Rangers International, Mr Femi Otedola and the NFF spent a lot of money to ensure that he got the best medical care. Mr Otedola spent over 36 million naira to ensure that Christian Chukwu was sent to the UK for treatment.

Happily, the Chairman is now in better health as you can see from the pictures and videos of the anniversary.

Photos

1) Christian Chukwu as a player of Rangers International in the 1970s

2) Christian Chukwu as captain of Nigeria after the Green Eagles won the 1980 African Nations Cup.

3) Christian Chukwu as coach of Nigeria in the 1990s.

4) Christian Chukwu as coach of Nigeria in the 2000s

Interesting

RANGERS INTERNATIONAL FC VS RS KOUBA OF ALGERIA (FUNNY COMMENTATORS)

Great match and funny Nigerian commentators.
Rangers International FC vs RS Kouba Algeria. African Champions Club.

A match between Enugu Rangers against RS Kouba of Algeria in Lagos, Nigeria.

Kenneth Boardman scored from Christain Chukwu's free kick. Emma Okala, Silvanus Okpala, Antony Orji and Ogbodo played in this game.

Kenneth Boardman played for Rangers International FC and Nigerian Green Eagles known as Super Eagles.

Former Governor of Anambra State Jim Ifeanyi Chukwu Nwobodo was present.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9RC_KMUCzg?si=LlRodFhAn6cWqD_p

Christian Chukwu's goal against Egypt (1978 World Cup qualifier).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFLmqIOemSI?si=2ZD1ALD5Ezmetbu6

So Enugu Rangers don old like that 🤷🤷🤷🤷

How time flies...

Chairman Chukwu

ThìsGlobe.com pictures

We are on top of the league table

Femi otedola must be a strong admirer for Christian chukwu.

I admire his generosity and help

just2endowed:
Femi otedola must be a strong admirer for Christian chukwu.

I admire his generosity and help

Anyone who loves and followed Nigerian football way back can relate to his generosity

naptu2:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWXtthwHQ7c?si=SuYKZdO8Plraoj6M

There is no match Nigeria will play and the stadium will be sold out… even if , ticket is free. Hunger Dey !

Rangers...our club since the begining of time. The Igbo man's consolation after the war.


Jim Nwobodo no dey old oooo. The only surviving governor of his class.

Love Chairman and Tallest, two National heroes.

Blockbuster should have been there too, may his gentle soul rest in the most perfect peace.

Indomie kids don't know much anything about Christian chukwu or rangers international of those good old days

Nigerian league from the 70s-80s had much appeal to their local fans probably because then there was no premier league and european football then wasn't as televised as it is now.

Interesting

aswani:
Love Chairman and Tallest, two National heroes.

Blockbuster should have been there too, may his gentle soul rest in the most perfect peace.

Aloysius Atuegbu.

naptu2:


Aloysius Atuegbu.

Thanks naptu2, I get carried away with these threads on old players and forget the current generation wouldn't know who they are just by nicknames.

As a slight aside, it is about time someone did a book on players of all tribes that came out of Jos.

Atuegbu and Odegbami brothers, Sani Ádámù, Ali Jẹjẹ even all the way down to Mikel Obi.

A city that had 2 football teams that held their own at the apex of Nigerian football with Standard FC and Mighty Jets.

Do you know, the old rangers association play Christmas holiday special matches with football clubs of various towns when invited?
Book and pay the price and there you have the squad.
They have been coming to my town since I was a kid. They are not cheap though but my town's football association recoup the money through gate fare.
Yep, we pay to watch match for good 2 weeks during Xmas holiday and you need to see crowd. It's an event people look forward to. And to think it's just an ordinary fenced field. No seat.

People from other towns come to watch too. Seems people use the event for catching up. Even oldies join. The cup is worth millions. Winners are hosted to party in 5 star hotel of the city they represent and the cash price shared.
What a way to spend Xmas.

Nice one! Good old days of yore.