In today’s football discourse, names like Martin Tyler, Jim Beglin, and Peter Drury often dominate the conversation. Their voices have become synonymous with the beautiful game, even in far-off countries like Nigeria. 

However, long before these commentators captured the imagination of Nigerian fans, there was a man whose voice and words were etched into the fabric of Nigerian football history—Ernest Okonkwo. 

Our OGs, both the living legends and the ones chilling in the afterlife, can vouch for how fire Ernest Okonkwo’s word game was.

Ernest Okonkwo was the golden voice commentator of Nigeria.

Today generation knows the likes of Martin Tyler, Peter Drury, Jim Beglin and Jon Champion. Nigerians turned off the volume of TV set, to listen to his commentary on radio. pic.twitter.com/zyYIgSwKYR

— Nigeria History on 𝕏 (@History_Nig) June 15, 2024

Who is Ernest Okonkwo?

Ernest Okonkwo was a legendary Nigerian sports commentator and journalist, best known for his work with Radio Nigeria. His career, which spanned the late 20th century, was marked by an extraordinary ability to bring football matches to life for his listeners. Okonkwo wasn’t just a commentator; he was a storyteller, weaving narratives that made listeners feel as if they were right there in the stadium, witnessing the action unfold.

Okonkwo’s commentary style was unique, characterized by his vivid descriptions and insightful analysis. He had a rare gift for making the ordinary seem extraordinary, and his voice became the soundtrack to some of Nigeria’s most memorable football moments. He was particularly famous for giving Nigerian footballers memorable nicknames, such as “Mr. Mathematical” for Segun Odegbami, in recognition of his precise and calculated playing style.

Okonkwo passed away on August 7, 1990, but his legacy lives on, not just in the memories of those who heard him but also in the way he shaped Nigerian football commentary.

Some of his famous commentary lines

Okonkwo’s brilliance as a commentator is perhaps best captured in his famous lines, which have since become part of Nigerian football folklore. One such moment was when he described a play that involved several top players of the time: “Iron Gate Emmanuel Okala throws the ball to ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu. Chukwu taps the ball to the ‘Dean of Defence’ Yisa Sofoluwe; Sofoluwe sends a telegraphic pass to ‘Midfield Maestro’ Mudashiru Lawal. Muda Lawal dribbles two defenders and sends the ball to ‘Mathematical’ Segun Odegbami.”

His commentary wasn’t just about the players; it was about creating an atmosphere, building tension, and delivering a climax that left listeners in awe. Take, for example, this gem: “Odegbami dilly-dallies, shilly-shallies, and locates ‘Elastic’ Humphrey Edobor. The storm is gathering near the opponent’s goal area, and it would soon rain a goal.” Even Peter Drury would be shook, hearing this and saying, “Damn, this is fire!”

In another unforgettable moment, Okonkwo famously narrated a sequence involving Shefiu Mohammed: “He beats Christian Chukwu, he beats Christian Madu, he beats Christian Nwokocha. He beats three Christians in a row! Who is this man? He must be a Muslim.”

Perhaps the most poignant of his lines was during a tragic moment in Nigerian football: “Nigeria has scored Nigeria,” he said after Godwin Odiye’s infamous own goal against Tunisia in 1977.

Ernest Okonkwo’s contributions to Nigerian football are immeasurable. His words not only narrated the game but also captured the essence of the sport, making him a voice that will forever be cherished in Nigerian football history.