Debonair monarch, Bagii of Saki, Alhaji Adegoke Ghazaal Abdurrasheed Adekilutoro 1, recalls with nostalgia the humble beginning of Emmanuel Amuneke at Zamalek of Egypt and highlighted some sterner qualities that might stand the 1994 African Footballer of Year in good stead at his new duty post in Dodoma, reports MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.
Today, he sits on his ancestral stool with panache but the rigour of the office has not drained his solid attachment with football. And one thing stands out: his unforgettable moment with Emmanuel Amuneke, the newly appointed coach of Taifa Stars, the national team of Tanzania.
Welcome to the soccer world of Alhaji Adegoke Ghazaal Abdurrasheed Adekilutoro 1, Bagii of Saki.
The paths of Abdurrasheed and Amuneke actually crossed some 27 years ago during his undergraduate days at the Cairo Al-Azhar University when he served as a volunteer during the 5th All-Africa Games (AAG). It was at this AAG that Amuneke was spotted by Egyptian top side Zamalek after his blistering form helped the national U-23 team clinch the Bronze medal.
The debonair monarch from Saki in Oyo State here recalls with nostalgia the humble beginning of Amuneke, their fond relationship and highlighted some sterner qualities that might stand the 1994 African Footballer of Year in good stead at his new duty post in Dodoma.
“My first encounter with Amuneke was at the Alexandra Stadium in Cairo during the 1991 All African Games tagged Cairo ’91,” began the Bagii, the de-facto sovereign in the absence of Okere – the King of Saki. “Amuneke was the outstanding player of the tournament from the Nigerian team though it was Tijani Babangida who was (highly) rated before the tournament.
“Amuneke stole the show but unfortunately, he was red carded in the (semi-final) match against Cameroon just to weaken our team and we eventually lost (1-0). But that was where he caught the attention of Zamalek FC.
“I was a student at that time in Egypt and served as a volunteer guide during the All African Games. I was contacted on how to get the player and after the football tourney, Zamalek went for him.
“When he eventually came to Egypt, I was the first Nigerian to visit him in his hotel room and offered him advice on how to go about things in Egypt.
“This was possible because I was privy to the fact that Zamalek was going for him, so I followed the scenario and when he arrived in Egypt I visited him with my friend, Oba Abdul Qadir Alakuko of blessed memory.
“From there, our friendship started. When he later moved from the hotel to a permanent accommodation at Said Street El Muhandeseen in Cairo, Amuneke requested that I move with him. I was a 300 level student at Cairo Al- Azhar University and living in a hostel.
“I moved with him and we lived together for the period he stayed in Egypt. We ate together, slept together and I played a big brother role throughout his stay in Egypt.
“As someone raised in Ajegunle, Amuneke was quick to adapt to the situation. My first impression about him is what is still holding us together till today,” reiterated the 54-year-old ruler.
Thereafter, Amuneke ruled the wave with the Egyptian side and his wizardry on the left wing coupled with goals that helped Zamalek in one of their golden moments, including winning the domestic league title and African Cup of Champions (now CAF Champions League) which culminated in his choice as the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.
The Bagii of Saki blasted on: “Amuneke was a phenomenon when he was with Zamalek, well loved by his playmates. His best friends included Nadir El Sayed who was the goal keeper because on many occasions he covered up for him even as a striker.
“Also Tamir Abdul Hameed, Hisham Yakan and Gamal AbdulHameed were all his closest friends before Akin Akinseinde joined Zamalek through the recommendation and help of Amuneke.
“Though Egypt is a Muslim- dominated country, Amuneke was not discriminated against because of his Christian belief. He was not the only Christian in the team then because there was also Ashraf Qaasim, an Egyptian who was also a defensive midfielder for Egypt that time.
“I was his unofficial manager throughout his stay in Egypt because of my proficiency in the Arabic language. I read his contract or any document before he appended his signature; that is why he never got into any trouble throughout.”
According to the Bagii of Saki, one of Amuneke’s outstanding qualities is perseverance even in the face of serious maltreatment, recalling how the former Julius Berger winger overcame a turbulent moment of his career to become a legend at Zamalek.
“In the earlier part of the 1993 football season, Amuneke was highly criticised by fans and management to the extent that the coach (Dave Mackay/Mahmoud El Gohary) lost interest in him and was retired to the bench even for the greater part of the second half of that season,” he recollected as if the event happened yesterday.
“But about four matches to the end of the season, Zamalek were trailing Al-Ahly (bitter rivals with Zamalek in the Egyptian League) for the title; and Zamalek needed at least nine points from two home and two away matches to snatch the title from Al-Ahly.
“As fate would have it, Amuneke scored hat tricks in three of the last four matches (two away and one at home). His nine goals and three wins won the title for Zamalek, and Amuneke was the club’s highest goal scorer and the MVP of that year.
“Amuneke usually played from the left but he had his first hat trick the first time he was used as a top striker. I think that feast earned him a place in the national team under Coach Clemens Westerhof.
“The late Coach Paul Hamilton was in Egypt that time to monitor Nigerian players abroad for the Super Eagles then and he watched one of those matches where he scored a hat trick; the rest is history.”
Yet this crowned head still has in his head and heart in some great memories of those aromatic days with Amuneke in Cairo, describing the former Barcelona winger as a detribalised Nigerian and a gentleman with kind dispositions.
“Amuneke is a down-to-earth and a kind-hearted person,” he noted. “A detribalised fellow; anytime he was going to play, I would pray for him in the Islamic way and it was okay by him.
“Though an Igbo guy, most of his close friends are Yoruba and I remember Eric Asomugha who is from the Niger Delta. One more thing about him is that he used to accommodate Nigerian sports men and women, especially journalists who came to Egypt. He’s a friend of journalists both local and international.
“Of course, he has his own flaws as a human being. He keeps to himself and becomes moody if he is upset especially any time he has off day in a game.
“His off-field engagement as far as I can recall is that he loved watching movies and listen to music, especially classic blues and native Igbo Christian music. He’s homely and religious.”
Incidentally, the Bagii of Saki has religiously kept faith with his chum from his Cairo days and was forthcoming following the appointment of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning coach as the new manager of Taifa Stars of Tanzania. “I’m so much elated for the opportunity given to him (Amuneke) to coach a foreign national team. I believe Amuneke will perform excellently well because he’s hardworking and versed in the knowledge of the game of football. He is going to bring his experiences to bear in improving Tanzanian Football.
“Having known him well from his younger years, I think other qualities that can help him in his present job are his zeal, courage and his never-say-die spirit. He also has passion for the round leather game; he’s intelligent, humble and cool headed and his social life is moderate,” he stated matter-of-factly.
With the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia currently showcasing the finest footballing talent on the planet, the race for the Best FIFA Football Awards is even more intense and the showpiece event will take on added significance when it returns to London for a second time on 24 September 2018.