By Ifeanyi Eduzor
After 50 years of the then Green Eagles winning a football gold for the country at the 1973 All African Games, Stationery Stores Supporters Trust Sunday at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island honoured three of it’s players; Haruna Ilerika, Mambo Yakubu and Mohammed Sanni who were part of that historic team.
Two of the players namely; Haruna Ilerika and Mambo Yakubu received their awards posthumously.
Speaking at the event, chairman of the Supporters Trust, Adebayo Oluwake said the award coming on the 63rd independence anniversary became necessary to remind government and corporate Nigeria that the labour of our heroes past must not be allowed to die in vain.
“We decided to award these players because of their contributions to both club and country.
“You’re aware that the victory of the Green Eagles at the 2nd All African Games hosted by Nigeria was the first major silverware won by the country’s national team at any level and after that, we’ve not won gold in football event at the African version of the Olympics.
“That same team, three years later went to Ethiopia and won bronze at the African Cup of Nations which was the first medal to be won by Nigeria at AFCON and these three players were part of the 22 man team that brought glory to the country and they deserved to be honoured
“These players and their mates played the game with passion and wrote the name of the country in gold and there is no better way to recognize them than to give award to them.
” Though two of the players are now late but their posthumous award was received on their behalf by members of their families and we’ll continue to reward outstanding players who did the country proud both in the past and present time.
” It’s equally important I appeal to government at all levels, corporate Nigeria and philanthropists to support what we’re doing and honour these players as it will encourage the young ones to do more for their fatherland”, he stressed.
Veteran Sports Journalist, Kunle Solaja noted that the players during their time were household names for both the Stationery Stores and the national team and as such deserve all the honours.
He made a passionate appeal to government to put in place modalities to immortalize some of these players who during their playing days not only put smiles on the faces of football fans but also win laurels for the country.
Also speaking, former Stores player, Bode Agoro said he’s excited seeing some of the players whom they learn the trade from being remembered, describing it as a big honour.
Relishing his experience at Stores, he described it as awesome noting that Stationery Stores during his time, was the most organised football team in the country.
He stated that though the award is coming more than five decades after the players brought glory to the country, the organisers deserves commendation for the initiative.
