Odegbami, Owolabi, Adepoju, other legends to honour Otubusen at 80th birthday
Nigeria’s football greats, including Segun Odegbami, Dr. Felix Owolabi, and Mutiu Adepoju, will gather at Olubadan Stadium on Thursday, August 7, 2025, to celebrate defensive icon Idowu “Slow Poison” Otubusen’s 80th birthday with a star-studded novelty match.
According to the organizing committee, in a statement signed by secretary Boluwaji Ogunmola, the Soccer Ambassadors will face the Ibadan Football Legends in a match kicking off at 4 p.m. to honour the man whose tactical genius shaped Nigeria’s golden football era.
The celebration is organized by a committee of legends, including Barr. Rotimi Ali, Mr. Sesan Odukoya, Dr. Salami, Mutiu Adepoju, Dr. Felix Owolabi, and Boluwaji Ogunmola, and promises a nostalgic reunion of the country’s football royalty.
Otubusen’s legendary 1976 performance — playing through a broken finger to help IICC Shooting Stars defeat Roger Milla’s Tonnerre Kalala for Nigeria’s first continental trophy — remains a landmark moment in the nation’s football history. His calm but deadly defending earned him the nickname “Slow Poison.”
From kicking “felele” rubber balls in Lagos streets to achieving continental glory, Otubusen’s career defined Nigerian football’s golden age. He was also instrumental in the Green Eagles’ 1976 AFCON bronze win, frustrating strikers with his intelligent positioning and composure.
Beyond his playing days, Otubusen mentored generations of players, sharing his tactical wisdom and discipline. At 80, he remains a respected figure whose influence has touched players, coaches, and administrators alike.
“This is more than a match – it’s a tribute to the man who wrote the defender’s manual for Nigerian football,” said Dr. Felix Owolabi, ex-international and organizing committee member.
The day’s events will include tributes, exhibitions of career highlights, and post-match festivities, offering fans a rare opportunity to celebrate one of Nigeria’s football treasures.
