BULWARKS OF DEFENCE

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

Over this weekend I was discussing football with some South African pundits and one particular topic struck me - the way two goalkeepers had performed phenomenally in Europe as the European seasons start, more or less. It was good to see some focus on goalkeepers who are bulwarks of the defence!

Iker Casillas of Real Madrid and Spain was sensational as he helped his club to beat Bayern Munich on penalties away from home in Germany to win a Cup. Iker saved so many sure-fire "goals"; including a penalty award and follow-up! He was inspirational for new Coach Jose Mourinho

Meanwhile in England in the very first match of the new season, Manchester City's Joe Hart won so many hearts with his fantastic performance, diving like a salmon to parry goal-bound shots away and helping his club to an undeserved 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspurs. Who says goalkeepers can not be worth their weight in gold?

Countries like Nigeria and South Africa are blessed with excellent goalkeepers. The world saw Nigeria's Vincent Enyeama in wonderful form during the World Cup finals in South Africa, particularly during the first match with Argentina when Enyeama stopped so many goals, frustrating the great Lionel Messi time and again. South Africa can count on young Itumeleng Kuneng now, the latest in a long line of fine goalkeepers which include Andre Arendse and Brian Baloyi.

When I was a youngster I was well aware of the legendary status that enshrouded Nigerian goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala, who was a veritable giant and a stalwart in the Green (later Super) Eagles defence - right there in goal. As kids we were told that Okala was unbeatable, that he was an anjonnu (sort of wizard) that nobody could beat. The legend continued, though we saw with our own eyes Okala conceding goals every now and then for country and club (Rangers International in the 70s)

I can never forget the epic World Cup qualifying game which Nigeria had with Tunisia in 1977 - away in Tunis where Emmanuel Okala held sway in goal. He was in superb form and the much dreaded North Africans were held to a 0-0 draw in their own backyard by the Eagles. It was a wonderful result, but not enough to stop Nigeria from crashing out of the World Cup race eventually.

Incredibly some years later in the early 80's Emmanuel's younger brother, Patrick also became Nigerian goalkeeper and was also very reliable for the country; though he did not have the legendary status of his older brother. How well I remember the Eagles playing Morocco in early 1984 with Patrick Okala in superlative, unbelievable form refusing to concede goals against Morocco both at home and away. His prowess did seem magical. Peter Rufai also became a legend between the posts for Nigeria for many many years - even till the 1998 World Cup finals!

Goalkeepers, for their clubs, or country, when on song can perform marvels for their teams (as Hart and Iker showed over the weekend) But when they drop clangers they are pilloried to high heavens (eg Rob Green and the England "fiasco" against the USA at the last World Cup finals) Yet the legend of goalkeepers often lives on - just think Gordon Banks and his marvellous save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup finals!

Oh, the bastions!

Allow me to indulge myself and say "Happy Birthday!" to myself a bit in advance! Actually my birthday is tomorrow, Monday, August 16