NFF Hails TeslimThunder Balogun

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the death of Nigeria’s iconic footballer, Teslim Balogun, nicknamed Thunder, the Nigeria Football Federation has hailed the late player’s pioneering efforts, dynamism and commitment to fatherland.

Born Tesilimi Balogun to a cricketer father, Oseni Omomeji Ali Balogun and to a business-woman mother, Thunder was Nigeria’s first authentic goalscoring hero and did magical things with the ball, leading his different clubs to triumphs in the then Challenge Cup competition and being a member of the Senior National Team between 1949 and 1955. “Certainly, there was none like Thunder,” said High Chief Emeka Inyama,

Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee.“Footballers of today need to study a lot about the lateThunder Balogun to know the meaning ot true commitment, invention and patriotism.” Inyama said further: “Balogun was the most sought-after player of his generation. His style of play was unique.

He was special, and if wehad someone like him in the Super Eagles of today, we would not be talking about goalscoring problem. He was simply exra-ordinary.

” Teslim Balogun, after whom the pretty stadium adjacent to the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos was named, was Nigeria’s first professional footballer, when he played part-time for Queens Park Rangers as he studied to be a physical training instructor in the United Kingdom in the 1950s.

 Balogun packed bullets in both feet, leading to several fables,including one about his shot from the penalty spot ripping through the stomach of a particular goalkeeper with the ball sailing into the net behind the goalie!

The magnificent footballer died in July 1972, having attained the position of Chief Coach in the Western Region Sports Council. Also on Thursday, High Chief Inyama commended the efforts of the Teslim Balogun Foundation towards remembering the late footballer.

 “The Teslim Balogun Foundation and the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria deserve plaudits for the range of activities they have lined up to honour the late player in Lagos as from Friday, July 27.

” Former National Team star Adokiye Amiesimaka and former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Kashimawo Laloko will speak at a seminar inside the Conference Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium on Friday, before novelty games at the Campos Square on Sunday and religious service/distribution of welfare provisions to sportspersons on Monday, at the Teslim Balogun family compound on Lagos Island.