₦airaland Forum

Nigeria has had many great strikers in its soccer history.

But none comes near the great 'Mathematical' Segun Odegbami, man for man, in terms of skill, and sheer ability on the ball.


'Mathematical' Segun Odegbami (inset) Plus the big guy sitting in the middle is the great Emmanuel Okala, a very tall, languid goalkeeper, who surpassed Vincent Enyeama in talent and agility.

https://www.withinnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/27/all-you-need-to-know-about-nigerian-living-legend-segun-odegbami-2.jpg


Those of you who did not grow up watching the great 'Mathematical' Segun Odegbami in action for the Super Eagles, have no idea what you missed.

You honestly don't.

'Mathematical' was the greatest dribbler and striker in Nigerian football history bar none.

He was an outrageously skilled No 7, whose attacking wing play was a long, endless, delightful party of dribbling!

Odegbami could easily beat 7 players in a row, coming in from the right.

I remember one particular trick he played, in a vital game at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos against Tunisia, who were a bigger force in African football than currently.

In this game, 'Mathematical' was on the right wing, with Eagles playing from left to right on the screen.

As he raced down the wing, a Tunisian defender approached him near the halfway line. 'Mathematical' then stopped with ball in front of the defender, by the touchline. Meanwhile another Tunisian was rushing in from behind 'Mathematical' to tackle the ball off him from behind.

'Mathematical' saw the onrushing defender coming from behind him but pretended no to.

As the defender approached in speed, 'Mathematical' stuck out his left foot suddenly as if to move with ball.

Guess what happened next?

The defender continued running, and running, and running past the two players, until he finally realised that he hadn't tackled Odegbami at all!

And that they were still standing there!

Guys, if you see the way the stadium erupted, in appreciation of the great 'Mathematical'.

i've never seen anyone, not even Messi, or Ronaldo, perform such a move till date.

And 'Mathematical' was a superior goal scorer.

His eye for goal was amazing.

In fact, only Rashidi Yekini scored more goals than 'Mathematical' Segun Odegbami in the Super Eagles jersey.

'Mathematical's greatest moment was when he led the Super Eagles to the glorious 1980 AFCON title in a riveting final against Algeria in the National Stadium Lagos, which the Super Eagles won 3-0, with 'Mathematical' slotting in the 1st and 3rd goals, that broke Algerian spirits, and brought the African Cup to Lagos.

'Mathematical' Segun Odegbami in action:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqQOcPkzVqI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyAiDXgCtSg

Ok

greater than dt oda ex professional dt died?

paulolee:
greater than dt oda ex professional dt died?

If you mean Yekini, the answer is Yes.

Man for man, 'Mathematical' was a better player than Yekini.

It's not even close.

rossniti:
If you mean Yekini, the answer is Yes.

Man for man, 'Mathematical' was a better player than Yekini.

It's not even close.

How?

What a talent, skills in human form
Mathematical was a local talent that shone like a million stars now imagine if he had come to light in recent years, dude would have been a world sensation and unstoppable force in the world of modern football.
Kudos mathematical!!!