Peter Anieke was once the idol in Nigeria football, he was a role model for many young players in the 1970s but today, the towering former striker is a shadow of himself as he struggles to survive a strange illness that has made him unable to walk. He speaks with KAZEEM BUSARI on how he is surviving
Not many football followers will remember you as a former Green Eagles player. Don’t you think so?
It is sad that the generation I played is gradually being forgotten. Many of us are still alive; I played as a striker even though I won jersey number 10, and I was particularly a dreadful sight to opponents both at club and national level. We were the team named the Red Devils in the 1960s before it was changed to the Green Eagles in the 70s.
Tales have it that you were so good they nicknamed you Eusebio.
(Laughs). Eusebio was the best player in the Portuguese national team at the period I was playing for Nigeria. I got that name in Accra when we were playing against Ghana, I think in 1970. After scoring a goal with a header, the commentators, including Ishola Folorunso, said I looked like Eusebio and I score with headers, just like Eusebio. Since then, the name Eusebio of Africa stuck. The name even added to my reputation because opponents quickly became aware that I could be dangerous anytime.
What was it like playing club football and international games in the 60s?
There wasn’t much about it in terms of money. We only played for patriotism and for the love of the game. None of us at that time entered into the sport with the aim of making money, unlike what we have today. Back then, it was almost certain that when you play very well with your club, you get an invite to play in the national team; there was no need to lobby and no room for lazy players. Selection was based on merit and there were always replacements should a player fall below expectations. The team was managed by European coaches so there was no need to think you could influence their decisions through lobbying.
You featured at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.
Yes. It was a great experience. We played against Spain, Japan and Brazil but we didn’t qualify to the next stage. I remember we almost beat Brazil; I scored in that game and we were leading until they equalised through an own goal. I still remember some of my teammates, but it has been a long time. Augustine Ofuokwu and Peter Fregene were there. Paul Hamilton, Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen and Anthony Igwe were also there. It’s been a long time.
Many expected to see you at the All-Africa Games hosted by Nigeria in 1973 but you did not feature. Why?
I was part of the team until the eve of the event. I had a disagreement with the coach (Jorge Penna) during training so he sent me out of the camp. I don’t remember what the quarrel was but I recall he was really mad at me and I was a bit heady. But that was not the end of my national team career; I returned to the team the following year under another coach. At that time, no coach will miss you because there were abundant talent in the team.
How did you start playing?
I started playing street football in Jos like many Nigeria children in those days. I later joined Plateau United when I decided to go professional in football in 1965. I didn’t hesitate to join the club because they were the first to come calling and they were one of the best in the land then. It was when we came to Lagos to play an Challenge Cup (FA Cup) semi-final match the following year that Adebajo Babes, later renamed Stationery Stores, indicated interest in me. Some other clubs also came calling but my friends at Stores urged me to join them, so I did. It was a good thing I did because I became more confident in the game as we went along to win the 1967 and 1968 Challenge Cup titles. After that, I joined ECN (later NEPA) and I led them to win the Challenge Cup of 1970. It was the first gold cup introduced in the tournament.
Many people would believe your glory years brought enough financial rewards.
There was none. We played for the glory, driven by patriotism and the love to play the game. The urge to go abroad to play football was not there because things were relatively okay in Nigeria. Besides, I was working with ECN while I played.
Is there any comparison football in your days and what we have now?
There are so many differences in terms of quality of players and the motives behind playing. In those days, there was nothing like the huge match bonuses players now get. We were paid peanuts after international games. I have nothing to show that I played for the national team. We were paid as little as 10 shillings sixpence (about N140) as camp allowance. That money could hardly get you anything vital at that time; it was peanuts. But things are different today as players get as much as $5,000 for playing a game. While the players now camp at big hotels to prepare for matches, we stayed at humble lodgings at Ogunlana Drive in Lagos in our time. What we had then was raw talent.
What exactly has affected your health?
I don’t know what it is, only God knows. A couple of years ago, I woke up to realise I had pains from my knees down to my ankles. It started suddenly, without prior notice. Doctors have examined me and they said I am diabetic and I don’t have high blood pressure or stroke. I’ve not been able to walk and do anything on my own without the assistance of my wife. I’ve spent all the money I had on treatment; I’ve taken all forms of drugs, even traditional, but nothing has worked. I’ll do anything to get my health back. Former international, Tajudeen Disu, and the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Tajudeen Ajide, visited me recently with a doctor. The doctor examined me but he was not conclusive on the check-up so he asked me to come down to the hospital for further check-up and treatment. These people have been very helpful because I hardly get help from government officials. I tried reaching the National Sports Commission for help when Patrick Ekeji was Director General of the NSC. Some of my former teammates took my case to him but he didn’t do anything about it. At some point, I began to wonder what benefit is there to play for Nigeria if I can’t be helped in my time of need. Maybe it’s my destiny but I can’t say I regret serving Nigeria the way I did. Maybe I’m just unlucky (breaks down in tears). I’m not asking for money, I just want someone to take care of my health; if I get anyone like that, I can never forget such help.
So how do manage with you daily livelihood?
(Still sobbing) I’m a retiree at NEPA and my wife is a petty trader. My pension and whatever she makes from her stall are all that we have. Unfortunately, I’ve not received any pension since February. I don’t know how they expect us to survive. I’ll be 70 years by March next year but I don’t have anything I can point at as my legacy except my contributions in Nigeria football. I’m not a flamboyant man, I don’t have a car and I don’t indulge in irresponsible lifestyle. The little I could get as a worker at NEPA I spent it on training my children. I don’t want to die a bitter man, I don’t deserve it.
You didn’t make much money from football but that didn’t stop the girls from coming. Am I right?
(Laughs) No, it didn’t stop them. In fact, I was very popular in my neighbourhood and the girls loved me but I was careful not to get into trouble with anyone. Let’s just say, I played and I played well. The little money I had that time I tried to use in building a house. I know I came from a poor family and I tried my best not to continue in poverty. I was so popular in the area; I stayed at Fashoro Street, Moshalashi, near Mushin. I benefitted from the love I got from fans. There was a supporter, a butcher selling around Tejuosho Market, who insisted I should come to his stall after weekend matches to get free meat. I made sure I didn’t miss the opportunity to get there.
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