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 Emmanuel OKALA 1973-1978 
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Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2017 4:28 am
Posts: 4597
Name: Emmanuel Anthony Oguajiofor Okala
Nickname: "Man-Mountain"

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Country: :NIG: Nigeria
Club: Rangers International F.C.
Position: *GK
Side: RF/BS
Age: 22-27 years (17/05/1951)

Height: 198 cm
Weight: 86 kg *


Attack: 30
Defence: 89
Balance: 95
Stamina: 61
Top Speed: 64
Acceleration: 68
Response: 86
Agility: 75
Dribble Accuracy: 49
Dribble Speed: 49
Short Pass Accuracy: 53
Short Pass Speed: 57
Long Pass Accuracy: 71
Long Pass Speed: 80
Shot Accuracy: 44
Shot Power: 91
Shot Technique: 46
Free Kick Accuracy: 44
Curling: 43
Header: 52
Jump: 74
Technique: 55
Aggression: 62
Mentality: 77
Goalkeeper Skills: 87
Team Work: 73

Injury Tolerance: A
Condition: 5
Weak Foot Accuracy: 4
Weak Foot Frequency: 4
Consistency: 6
Growth type: Early/Peak

CARDS:
S12 - 1-on-1 Keeper

SPECIAL ABILITIES: 1-on-1 Stopper

Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Defence Minded


INFO:
Okala is a former goalkeeper. He spent his entire career with Rangers International from 1971 to 1980, retiring at the fairly young age of 29. He capped for Nigeria 59 times between 1972 and 1980. He won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations although he was already Best Ogedegbe's reserve at that point.
Often considered to be the greatest goalkeeper in Nigeria's history, Okala was a commanding presence who brought an excellent on-field leadership and solidity to the goalkeeping role that Nigeria had never seen before. He could rely on a towering physique to collect high balls effortlessly, but despite his imposing frame that scared many opponents, he could also dive very quickly to parry a shot with his wide palms and long fingers, displaying acrobatic saves, quick reflexes and amazing shot-stopping abilities. Opponents would avoid running into him because it was pointless as Okala only had to spread his arms to almost cover the entire goal and his long reach was effective against any kind of cross attempt. He was hard to beat both in the air and on the ground. In addition, he had powerful enough kicks to launch many quick attacks by sending the ball even in the opposition's penalty area and his goal kicks could allegedly even reach the opposing goalkeeper or go over his goal. Okala also became popular with his taunts to strikers even in the midsts of challenges as they wouldn't dare attempt a header, especially during corners. In fact, while he was intelligent, effective and intimidating in one-on-one situations, he could also be unfair by putting fingers in his opponent's eyes or kneeing them in the stomach as Okala saw the goal area as his personal domain. He even used to knock the heads of any opponent who tried to head the ball, earning a red card in a 1974 match.


Thu Feb 13, 2025 8:31 pm
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