Former Nigerian international and legendary striker Monday Odiaka has reflected on three unforgettable matches that remain etched in his memory decades after his playing career.
The former ACB Lagos forward, famous for scoring one of the fastest goals in FIFA World Youth Championship history, shared the remarkable experiences while speaking with Sports247 after FC GIWA’s 2-1 victory over FC ODIAKA in the first leg of the Bet9ja Ex-Internationals Cup Round of 16.
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Asked to take football fans down memory lane, Odiaka immediately identified three games that shaped his career and cemented his status as one of Nigeria’s most feared strikers of the 1980s.
The Australia Comeback That Changed Everything
The first was Nigeria’s memorable encounter against Australia at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship.
According to Odiaka, the Flying Eagles found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime, with frustration and disappointment filling the dressing room.
“We were two goals down and everybody was complaining. I called my teammates together and told them, ‘All balls to me.’ I believed we could come back,” Odiaka recalled.
The striker said he personally challenged himself and convinced the coaching crew that Nigeria could still turn the game around.
“When we came back for the second half, you could see the fire in me. Everything changed. We fought back and got the result.”
Odiaka also maintained that he was denied credit for what should have been one of his goals during the dramatic comeback.
“The second goal was credited to someone else. The defender tried to clear the ball, but I hit both the defender and the ball into the net. If you watch the tape, you’ll see it,” he said with a smile.
The Famous Comeback Against Cameroon
Another unforgettable match for the former Flying Eagles star was a dramatic encounter against Cameroon.
Odiaka revealed that Nigeria had fallen 3-0 behind and looked destined for elimination before a spirited turnaround.
“We were three goals down. Before we went back out, I told everybody again, ‘All balls to me.’ I said if we were not going to qualify, then let’s at least go down fighting.”
The response was immediate.
“They brought me down for a free-kick and I scored. Then I got another goal and another one. Suddenly it was 3-3 and the crowd came alive again.”
He described the match as one of the greatest displays of determination and teamwork he experienced in his career.
“We never gave up. Everybody believed and we eventually turned things around.”
The Day ACB Silenced New Nigerian Bank
The third match on Odiaka’s list came during his club career with ACB Lagos against league leaders New Nigerian Bank.
At the time, New Nigerian Bank were considered one of the strongest teams in the country and many doubted ACB’s ability to challenge them.
“People were arguing everywhere about whether ACB could stop New Nigerian Bank. They were top of the table and everybody expected them to beat us.”
The skepticism only motivated Odiaka and his teammates.
After trailing 1-0 at halftime, ACB mounted a second-half comeback led by their star striker.
“They couldn’t hold me in the second half. I scored two goals and we won.”
The celebrations that followed remain one of his fondest memories.
“I was carried on people’s shoulders from the stadium all the way towards our office. The fans were chanting ‘Odiaka! Odiaka! Odiaka!’ everywhere.”
A Legacy That Endures
Known for his goalscoring exploits with ACB Lagos and Nigeria’s youth and senior national teams, Odiaka remains one of the most celebrated forwards of his generation.
More than four decades after his exploits on the pitch, the former Flying Eagles star still speaks passionately about the moments that defined his career, proving that while trophies may gather dust, unforgettable matches live forever in the hearts of football legends.
