NFF celebrates Felix Owolabi at 70

By Tosin Omojola

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has congratulated former Nigeria captain, Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye, as the legendary defender-turned-winger marked his 70th birthday over the weekend.

In a statement, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, lauded Owolabi for his immense contributions to Nigerian football, both as an accomplished player and as an administrator, describing him as deserving of all accolades on this milestone occasion.

“The NFF congratulates Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye on this landmark occasion of his 70th birthday. Attaining the septuagenarian level is a remarkable feat. We celebrate him for his many outstanding performances for Nigeria and his excellent service as an administrator after his playing days.

“As a member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, we deeply value his contributions at meetings, as well as his advice and suggestions on the direction of Nigerian football and the National Teams whenever consulted,” Dr. Sanusi stated.

Felix Owolabi Akinloye began his football journey as a defender before transitioning into a dynamic winger for the Green Eagles. He played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic victory at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team clinched its first continental title on home soil.

Owolabi captained the Green Eagles during the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Libya, leading the team to an impressive 3-0 win against Ethiopia in their opening match in Benghazi. However, the team later suffered a 1-2 loss to Algeria after leading by a goal and subsequently fell 0-3 to Zambia, ending their campaign prematurely.

After retiring from international football, Owolabi continued his club career with distinction. He was part of the IICC Shooting Stars FC (now 3SC) squad that won the inaugural CAF Cup in 1992, solidifying his legacy as one of Nigeria’s football greats.