Ernest Okonkwo: Soni Irabor, Football Fans Celebrate Nigeria’s Best Commentator Ever

Football fans have taken to the Social Media to celebrate the memories of the late Ernest Okonkwo, known as Nigeria’s finest sports commentator.

Here’s a post by veteran broadcaster, Soni Irabor, celebrating Ernest Okonkwo on Facebook.

Ernest Okonkwo was a Nigerian football commentator, He was  regarded as one of the finest commentators from Africa, he was known for his ability to conjure words. He passed out on 7th of August 1990 at age of 54yrs. Below are some of his commentaries…

“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.”

“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. Edobor turns quickly to the right and returns the ball to Odegbami. Odegbami kicks the ball towards ‘Quick Silver’ Sylvanus Okpala who shoots an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from outside the penalty box. It is a goal, it is a goal, Nigeria has scored.”

“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. Oh! It’s Shefiu Mohammed sending a diagonal pass to Baba Otu Mohammed.”

“Okey Isima, with a short pass to Sylvanus Okpala. They both play in Portugal. The can communicate in Igbo, they can communicate in English, they can communicate in Portuguese and they just communicated with the ball.”

“Nigeria has scored Nigeria” (after Godwin Odiye’s own goal against Tunisia in 1977).

He was also credited with giving nicknames to many Nigerian players such as…

Segun Odegbami- Mathematical
Sylvanus Okpala- Quick Silver
Yisa Sofoluwe- Dean of Defense
Adokiye Amiesimaka- Chief Justice
Emmanuel Okala- Tallest
Christian Chukwu- Chairman
Aloysius Atuegbu- Blockbuster
Kelechi Emetole- Caterpillar
Idowu Otubusen- Slow Poison
May his soul rest in peace.

Reacting to Irabor’s post, other fans on Facebook posted:

Biyi Adegoroye:

I remember when Edward Ansa of Abiola Babes suffered a goal, Ernest shouted “Edward Ansa has no answer to that!”. I
strongly believe Mass Communication scholars/students should document his works .

Osagie Fadaka:

A spectacular soccer linguist who’s words and phrases used when running commentary can’t be outdated. He left a little early. Rest in peace.

Tony Iyare:

A legend, Ernest Okonkwo represents the Golden era of radio sports commentary. He passed on too early. His void is yet to be filled. He would have been 86 this year.

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