Former Nigeria international Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun has been described by coach Adegboye Onigbinde as a player with exceptional understanding of the game whose contribution to Nigerian football was cut short by his death.
Balogun died on July 30, 1972 in his sleep and as family and friends celebrate 41st anniversary of his passing, the former Super Eagles coach said Balogun’s legacy would live forever.
He said, “He was a skilful player who brought Nigeria to the world map of football because of his style of play. He had strength and he understood the game. No wonder he was among the first African player to be signed by a British club many decades ago. He was also instrumental to the success of all the clubs he played for in Nigeria.”
Giving a citation of Balogun and why he was named Thunder, former chairman of Lagos Island, Nasiru Kadiku, who is a relative of the late footballer, said that after Balogun scored three goals in seven minutes to cancel Marine FC’s advantage over Railways during the final of the 1949 Challenge Cup, Lagos fans, who were thrilled, added Thunder to the late footballer’s name.
Source: Punch
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