**Says Owerri West is blessed with football stars
***Nigerian Army called me “Monkey”
By Ivlas Idama
Those wondering how award-winning international football star, Kelechi Nwakali’s journey to stardom started, need not wonder anymore.
In an exclusive chat with National Newsblast Newspaper in his palace in Eziobodo community in Owerri West LGA of Imo State on Saturday 3rd May, 2025, HRH Eze Ngozi Osuji revealed how the success story began.
“Kanu Nwankwo came to my palace and took Kelechi Nwakali from here to play for Nigeria. Before they left here, I prayed for Kelechi, blessed him and wished him well”
From curiosity, you stare at the houses in the Nwakali family compound less than a hundred metres away from Eze Osuji’s palace.
The humble traditional ruler added, “We are blessed with football stars. Football is in our blood. In fact, when I was young, I was the goal keeper of our community football team. My nickname was Monkey.”
Before you ask how come, he provides an answer.
“When we played against the Nigerian Army football team from 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, no matter the kind of hard shot they fired at our goal post, I caught it. I was very agile and my agility frustrated the soldiers because they could not score against us.””
And what next?
“After the match, the soldiers accused our team of fielding a monkey as a goal keeper, claiming that the monkey was a human being. As far as they were concerned, only a monkey could display the kind of agility I showcased at the goal post. They said, you people go bring monkey put for goal post come claim say na human being”
A brief moment of laughter follows.
As you make to part ways, after a call from late Major-General Rowland Ogbonna’s widow, to the effect that your attention is needed at Teshie Villa, Avu, you remember that this same Local Government Area called Owerri West is also home to another international football star, Emmanuel Amuneke whose community is next door to Eze Osuji’s community which also boasts of Kelechi Nwakali’s younger brother, Chidiebere Nwakali who is also a star with Nigeria’s junior football team.
You remember that under the VIP canopy at a just concluded traditional wedding a hundred meters from the palace of Eze Osuji where you sat directly behind Eze Osuji, with Kelechi Nwakali’s elder brother, Mr. Victor Nwakali, a young man came and greeted personalities there, including the father of the bride.
The young man’s name? Chidiebere Nwakali!!
The crowd simply gathered for the legal adviser of late Major-General Rowland Nkwazema Ogbonna, Barr. Evangelist Martins Okereafor whose daughter, Onyinyechi was the bride of the day!!
As you approach the exit gate of the palace, you wonder whether to call the football goal keeper- turned traditional ruler by his football nickname as baptised by the Nigerian Army. Maybe, next time!!