Super Eagles Coach, Augustine Eguavoen was a year my senior at secondary school. Here in this star-studded photo taken in 1981 is the young Austin in class 3 when he was playing for Edokpolo Grammar School Benin City Football Team XI. Austin nicknamed `world 2` is third from left squatting in the front row. The photo was taken few days after the school won the then Bendel State Principals' Cup which they won again back to back in 1982 and 1983.
For the records, other players/students/officials in the photo are from left standing: Goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare of blessed memory is, 2nd is Chris Edomioya a.k.a Police of Senegal, Williams Enobakhare (Games Prefect), and Augustine "Tita" Igbinobaro (Skippo) is 6th from left. Standing next to him is then Principal of the school Mr F.O. Izegaegbe (in suit).
The legendary coach. Mr Samuel Olawale Ogunshola of blessed memory is standing first from right. Edosa who paired the defence with Police of Senegal is standing third from right. Squatting first from right is Okosieme Ndubuisi, Omoregieva Samuel Osamuede a.k.a Scatter is squatting 2nd from right. Theophilus Bello is squatting 3rd from right. And Austin Eguavoen is next to him squatting third from left. At least 4 players in the photo later played for the Nigeria National Team (Green Eagles / Super Eagles)
Mr Afegbai, a 1984 set of Edokpolo Grammar School writes from Germany