Abdul Rahman, son of the late Ali Jeje, captain of Nigeria’s 1983 Flying Eagles team—the first to represent the country at the World Cup—has been granted a full scholarship by his father’s former teammates.
Ali Jeje, then a wingback, led the historic team to the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico, marking Nigeria’s debut at a FIFA-organized tournament. Though the team didn’t progress beyond the group stage, Jeje’s leadership left an enduring mark on Nigerian football history, inspiring his teammates to support his son’s educational pursuits.
Paul Okoku, assistant captain of the team, expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the scholarship fund, acknowledging their integral role in honoring Jeje’s legacy. He listed the teammates who generously supported the initiative, emphasizing the collective effort behind the scholarship.
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Okoku, who later played for the Super Eagles, thanked his fellow teammates for their unwavering support, highlighting the unity that honored Jeje’s memory. Abdul Rahman expressed heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity, seeing it as a testament to his father’s enduring legacy and its transformative impact on his future.
Ali Jeje, who also led the team to victory in the Africa Youth Championship (Tesema Cup) in the same year, passed away on December 12, 2007, at the age of 43. He had played club football for Mighty Jets of Jos and Abiola Babes of Abeokuta.