Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, clocked 48 on Saturday.
The ex-Shooting Stars prodigy, born in 1970 in Ibadan, is fondly remembered for his remarkable dozen years with the national team.
In Europe, Adepoju christened ‘Headmaster’ for his expertise with his head, made waves in Spain.
To celebrate the iconic footballer, we take a trip back memory lane to his best moments.
1 – Move to Real Madrid
After stunning for the Flying Eagles at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship, Adepoju was the most-courted youngster in the world. Yet, his switch to Real Madrid from Juluis Berger was somewhat unexpected.
2 – Brace against USA
Adepoju can boast of a handful of beautiful goals in his country’s colours. But perhaps the one that shot him into prominence was a brace against the United States in the semi-finals of the FIFA Youth Championship.
3 – Super Eagles debut against Togo
Having moved to Real Madrid, it was only a matter of time before Adepoju got a call from the national team handlers. He did against Togo in August 1990 and went on to feature 45 more times.
4 – Goal against Spain at France ’98
Adepoju is still fondly remembered for his strike against Spain at the 1998 World Cup in France. The midfielder equalised for Nigeria with his head after Fernando Hierro had put the European giants in front. The game ended 3-2 in favour of the Africans.
