Segun Odegbami: Winning is not always about coming first in sport

As a proud alumnus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and a pivotal player for IICC Shooting Stars FC, my journey in the 1970s was a testament to the power of sports to shape lives and careers. Balancing a demanding Mechanical Engineering HND program with top-tier football was no easy feat, but it was a challenge I embraced, and it ultimately supported me through my studies and beyond. The year 1976 stands out as a golden era for our club and for Nigerian football.

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It paid my fees and my bills. It was extremely hard work, but I survived!

Winning both the Nigerian National League and the Africa Cup-Winners Cup was a monumental achievement. I was honored to be a key contributor, scoring 7 of our 16 goals in regulation time during the continental final. This victory marked Nigeria's first continental trophy, a source of immense national pride. It solidified IICC Shooting Stars FC's status as a powerhouse in African football, boasting a squad rich with talent, many of whom also represented the Nigerian national team, the Green Eagles.

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It was Nigeria’s first continental trophy.

What made that period particularly unique, from a Nigerian perspective, was the complex 'political considerations' that led to an unusual scenario in 1977. Our club, as defending champions, had the choice of two continental competitions. The decision to defend our Cup-Winners Cup title, influenced by the Oyo State government, inadvertently opened the door for our Ibadan rivals, Water Corporation FC, to compete in the African Club Championship. This situation, unprecedented in Nigerian football history, not only showcased our local talent on a broader stage but also led to the discovery of Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, who would later coach the Green Eagles. It’s a story that highlights how local rivalries and administrative decisions can have far-reaching consequences, shaping the future of the sport in our nation in ways that might not be immediately apparent to international observers.

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That’s how, for participating in the same continental competition, perennial national rivals, Rangers FC and Shooting Stars FC, had to play against each other in the semi-finals.