Meet top footballers from Idoma community

From the time it originated in China around third century BC, the roundleather game, known at the time as ‘cuju’―now known universally as soccer or football―has spread to every corner of the earth, becoming the number one source of joy for billions of people worldwide, a global unifier and integrator, and direct (or indirect) employer of millions.

Among the Idoma people of Benue State in North Central Nigeria, football occupies a special place. As far back as the 1970s, Otukpo, the heart of Idomaland was a cauldron of healthy grassroots football rivalry as residents of the town were provided high-level soccer entertainment by Obe Babes and NEPA Football Club of Otukpo.
It is not surprising, therefore, to find Idoma sons among those with honourable mentioning in the Nigerian Soccer Hall of Fame. Remember Daniel Amokachi alias “The Bull”? The Idoma native―the first Nigerian player to score a goal in the UEFA Champions’ League, a member of the USA 94 World Cup team and the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Gold winning Dream Team Eagles―had etched his name and by extension, the Idoma imprint, on the map of Nigeria´s footballing heroes.

Others have been tracing his footsteps. In this publication, IDOMA VOICE profiles some Idoma sons who are presently making their kith and kin proud with their feats in soccer.

Tony Ujah

Popularly known as Drogba, Super Eagles player, Anthony Ujah has been likened to his kinsman, Daniel ‘The Bull’ Amokachi because of his fast pace and energy. The Orokam, Ogadigbo LGA-born, a younger brother of the popular London-based socio-political activist, Dr. West Adoyi Ujah, currently plies his trade in the German Bundesliga as a forward with Union FC.

Ogenyi Onazi

Ogenyi Eddy Onazi who plays as a central midfielder for the Nigeria national team was a member of the 2013 AFCON winners and the 2014 World Cup team in Brazil. The midfield maestro from Ado LGA, had played for top club in Europe including Serie A side Lazio and Turkish Super Lig side, Trabzonspor.

Moses Simon

Moses Simon Ejegwa is a Super Eagles winger who had played for the Belgian side Gent and Levante in the Spanish La Liga and is currently a forward for Ligue 1 club, FC Nantes. Simon, who hails from Obagaji in Agatu LGA, was part of the 2019 Bronze winning AFCON squad.

Nazim and Kalim Amokachi

Nazim and Kalim Amokachi, like their father, are both attacking players who can play as wingers or central forwards.
The teenagers have had trials in Europe at the EPL side Everton, Turkish giant Besiktas and Finnish club JS Hercules. The duo are presently at Kwara United in the Nigerian Professional Football League.

Jerome Ochigbo
Fast-rising left fullback, Jerome Ochigbo is currently signed by Segundo side Rayo Vallecano de Madrid FC .
He is from Ichama in Okpokwu LGA .

Samson Ogbu Abah
Striker Samson Ogbu recently joined Vaxjo United in the Swedish third division on a six months deal.
Abah impressed in trials at the club scoring four goals in six games and was rewarded with a contract until the end of the season.

A fringe member of the 2017 Golden Eaglet team that failed to qualify for the CAF African U-17 tournament in Gabon after they lost to Niger on goals aggregate, the striker joined Vaxjo United from Achievas Football Academy in Lagos.

Ogebe Alice Oya

Ogebe Alice Oya is a Super Falcons player and former captain of the defunct Apa Queens Football club of Otukpo.

In 2018, she was signed by Zfk Crvena zvezda otherwise called the Red Stars, a Serbian women’s football club in Serbia, Southeast Europe.Before penning her signature with the Serbian side, she played for Delta Queens and later Rivers Angles of Port Harcourt where she happened to be one of the best players on both teams.