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Teslim Akanni Balogun was born in Lagos, Yorubaland in the year 1927.
He was nicknamed “Thunder” and “Balinga” for his powerful shots. He attended St. Patricks School, Oko-Awo in Lagos and St. Mary’s School, Port Harcourt and later Cosmopolitan Evening School. All along, he played for the schools’ football teams. By 19, he was the star of Apapa Bombers FC and scored the lone goal when they defeated one of the most formidable teams in Nigeria at the time, Railways XI. He moved on to play for Marine Athletic Club in 1946, UAC XI in 1947 and Railways in 1948. He also played for Union Line in the same year.

By 22, he had represented Nigeria many times and was selected as one of the players to represent the country during the UK Tour where Nigeria played many friendly matches against top clubs in the UK. They did not play with boots but bare feet, sometimes with only bandages around their feet. He joined Jos XI on his return and helped the team reach the final of the Challenge Cup for the first time in 1951 losing to Lagos Railways. After playing for eight first division clubs in 11 years, he left for the UK in 1955 to study printing technology but he was signed by Peterborough United.



In those days, football had more entertainment value than financial importance. If he had played today, he would have been a very rich man. Between 1955 and 1961 when he returned home, he played for a number of clubs, including Queens Park Rangers. He also did a coaching course to become the first UK-trained African coach. He played for Nigeria for 17 years and was the first Nigerian coach to lead Nigeria football team to the Olympics in 1968, drawing 3-3 with Brazil.

He was called ‘Ara-awo Ara-awa’ in Yorubaland because he had a ferocious left foot that his shots would always score as goalkeepers were too scared to attempt to stop them. It was alleged that one of his shots almost pierced through a goalie’s stomach who died as a result.
Teslim Balogun is arguably (as attested to by sport experts) the foremost of the greatest Nigerian footballers.



He sadly died in his sleep on July 30, 1972 at a relatively young age of 45.His wife Mulikat Balogun who happens to be a tennis player,suffered a lot from Emotional truama. She developed high blood pressure after losing her husband.She died 30 years after after slipping into coma for 18 days after her 60th birthday in 1998. They are both survived by seven Children; They are Tunde, Tokunbo, Olamide, Jibola, Iyabo, Bioye and Oluwole.



The Teslim Balogun Stadium at Masha Surulere Lagos, Yorubaland has since been named after him amongst numerous other Achievements









Culled from: http://www.yorubaempire.com/unmasking-manteslim-akanni-thunderbalogun/

He was called ‘Ara-awo Ara-awa’ in Yorubaland because he had a ferocious left foot that his shots would always score as goalkeepers were too scared to attempt to stop them. It was alleged that one of his shots almost pierced through a goalie’s stomach who died as a result.

i remember this "fabu", "remember your left leg".

He played a penalty against his brother after they both had a bet that.

When Balogun wanted to play the penalty, his wife told him to remember his left leg. Balogun shot with his left leg and pierced through the goalkeeper's (his brother) belly and died!

Tolexander:
i remember this "fabu", "remember your left leg".

He played a penalty against his brother after they both had a bet that.

When Balogun wanted to play the penalty, his wife told him to remember his left leg. Balogun shot with his left leg and pierced through the goalkeeper's (his brother) belly and died!

Chai!
Our people can lie ehn!

100 likes if e hit FP.

If to say na now teslim dey play for england ni, petr cech would have doubled his famous head gear...

ogaprime:
If to say na now teslim dey play for england ni, petr cech would have doubled his famous head gear...

lmao