By Emmanuel Olagunju & Fatimo Amuda
Former Green Eagles defender, Godwin Odiye, remember by many people for scoring own goal that denied Nigeria from participating in the 1978 world cup, has described football as a tool that got him out of bullying by the area boys while growing up in Lagos .
Odiye, who earned his first national team call-up in 1975 at age 19 made this known while featuring on the Sport Centre World Cup Season Personality interview on monday evening.
Odiye, an indigene of Auchi in Edo State , described his own goal during the 1997 world cup qualification against Tunisia as the darkest moment of his career while the 1980 AFCON final memory remains the best in his career.
” I began my career as a goalkeeper at St. Paul Primary School, Ebute Metta, before switching to defence. I became the first player from St. Finbarr’s College to represent the Green Eagles.
” I still remember till date the own goal scored during the 1978 world cup qualification.All I wanted to do was to head the ball for a corner kick, but unfortunately, it grazed my head and went into the net. The dressing room was very quiet, and I was being consoled by some of the players.”
Odiye said further that he was often intimidated by older boys, but he refused to give up .He explained that he initially played as a goalkeeper because he was considered too small to play outfield.
However, while at St. Paul Primary School in Ebute Metta, he switched to defense after becoming frustrated with his teammates’ poor defending during a physical education class. That decision, he said, changed the course of his life and eventually earned him recognition as one of Nigeria’s most dependable defenders.
He disclosed that it was a great honor for him to represent Nigeria at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the victorious 1980 AFCON campaign.
Speaking about his family, Odiye recalled that his parents never attended any of his matches. They only watched him on black-and-white television, making it difficult for his mother to identify him during games. To help her recognize him, he wore a headband during one of Nigeria’s home matches a gesture that became one of his most cherished memories.
Despite the heartbreak, Odiye said he never regretted representing Nigeria. He also revealed that while playing semi-professional football in the United States, he was offered American citizenship and the opportunity to play for the U.S. national team but declined because of his loyalty to Nigeria.
Responding to questions about veteran commentator Ernest Okonkwo’s famous “Nigeria scored Nigeria” remark, Odiye said he later confronted the broadcaster, explaining that he was not bitter over the comment. Instead, the incident inspired him to study journalism, where he learned that the widely quoted statement was never actually made during the live commentary.
On coaching, Odiye named Father Tiko as the best coach he worked under and said he respected all of his teammates equally. He also dismissed any lingering bitterness over past controversies, insisting that he had moved on.
Offering advice to the next generation of footballers, the former international stressed the importance of discipline, humility, confidence, respect, and hard work. He urged young players to stay out of trouble and politics, believe in themselves, and always be willing to help others.
He, however thanked the organizers and participants for the opportunity to share his story, expressing hope that younger Nigerians now have a better understanding of his life, career, and contributions to Nigerian football.
Meanwhile, after relocating to the United States, Odiye earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco and a master’s degree in Public Administration and Finance from the University of Southern California.
