Charles “Hurricane” Okonkwo

Blast From The Past…



Charles “Hurricane” Okonkwo is one of the players who gave Late Rashidi Yekini a run for his money in the Green Eagles which later became Super Eagles.

There was also Uwem Ekarika, Ishaya Jatau, Tony Nwaigwe, Joe Ashinze, Monday Odiaka, Samson Ozogula, Daniel Amokachi and Samson Siasia among others in the domestic scene…and from the foreign legion were Richard Owubuokiri, Mike Obiku, John Fashanu and later Efan Ekoku.

The battle for shirts in Green Eagles camp among these players and particularly Yekini kept the 1993 Africa Player of The Year on his toes as he did everything within his powers to stand out among all.

Credit must however go to the likes of Okonkwo who kept breathing down the neck of the Goalsfather to reach for the top. Okonkwo was a handful for many defenders in the domestic league. He gave many goalkeepers gray hairs if not heartaches.

The quality of opposition you get, determines how far you go. The quality of your rivals determines your strength and success.

Okonkwo was the top striker of Enugu Rangers Int’l FC then and he was quite good. Very pacy, possesses bullets on both legs, good aerially, a fighter, a nightmare to defenders, a scorer of goals and above all a super assist to his teammates.

Okonkwo could play any role upfront. This made him one of the favourites to pair Yekini at some point. He could operate as a pointman, play behind the lead striker or play from the flanks. His speed is a huge advantage and bonus.

Injuries and the coming of Clemens Westerhorf ensured that Hurricane didn’t get enough attention leading to Algiers ’90 AFCON and onwards to the Golden era there after.

However, Okonkwo made his mark and left his footprints in the sands of time as one of Green Eagles forwards who left memorable impression in the minds of stakeholders of his era.
Peoplesmind
© DESMOND EKWUEME