Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Okey Anichie, former Football commentator and ardent supporter of Rangers International Football club, has described the death of former Rangers striker, Stanley Okoronkwo as a monumental loss.
Anichie, who worked with the then Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Service (ENBS), Enugu, later NIgerian Television Authority (NTA), Enugu, said Okoronkwo shone like a bright star with Rangers.
“I started following Rangers immediately it was formed in 1970, that was after the war, that was when I finished secondary school.
“The man we called “Englishman,” Stanley Okoronkwo, I don’t know the kind of word to use to show the calibre of player that he was but all I know is that he was an incredible player.
“He was one of the best strikers we had in Rangers FC then,” Anichie said.
He recalled the second and winning goal the late Okoronkwo scored for Rangers against Buffalos FC of Zambia in Lusaka en route their winning the then African Champions cup in 1976.
According to him: “He scored the second goal for Rangers against green buffalos of Zambia in the African Cup of champion’s in 1976.
“What a great goal! He was one of the top players in Rangers since he crossed over from rival Vasco Da Gama in 1975, untill he retired from football.”
Anichie continued: “He was nicknamed the “Englishman” because during his hay days, after playing for 90 minutes he would look as if he had not played football in terms of cleanliness.
“He can be remembered for his humility on and off the field of play.”
The sports guru said that it would be difficult to find a player with the kind of zeal Okoronkwo put in while playing for Rangers.
“He played with great zeal, surely Stanley will be missed,” he said.
Okoronkwo died on Sunday in Enugu after a brief illness.
