Maroc ’88 still remains one of Nigeria’s painful Nations Cup outing considering the Green Eagles’ 0-1 loss to neighbours Cameroon in the final. Bright Omokaro, one of the few that donned the green and white jersey got a new name from the championship. He shares the euphoria and  pain of that era in this interview with  Ime Bassey.  Excerpts:

How did you come about the name 10-10?

It was in the semi finals of the Maroc ’88 Nations Cup against Algeria, we were one goal ahead and one man down. Ademola  Adeshina was given a red card and I was on the bench. The coach then, Manfred Hoener came to me and said, you know you play hard, so use it to our own advantage as you go in.

On getting in, I went hard on one of their players and he was stretched off the field and could not return. More so, they could not substitute any player as they had already used their three substitutes. On the commentary box, Ernest Okonkwo of blessed memories said ‘Omokaro has made it 10-10’.

When we returned to the country during the state honorary dinner at Dodan Barracks, the president then, General Ibrahim Babangida asked me, Bright, how did you make 10-10?

That was where the name came about, and I will forever be grateful to Nigeria for giving me the opportunity to serve because if I had gone to school or did something else, I don’t think I would have gotten such a popular name in the country. I am very happy today because wherever I go in the country and I mention the name ’10-10’, the door is always open for me.

Can you recall your emergence into football?

I started playing the game with Bendel Insurance in my tender age while in still secondary school, later I moved to Asec Memosa of Abidjan. I also played for ACB Lagos, Abiola Babes, New Nigerian Bank and ended up with Shooting Stars of Ibadan in 1993-96. I don’t have any regret playing for 3SC. I got married Ibadan and my kids are still there as I speak. I see Ibadan as my home.

My medals cabinet started in 1982, I was the best player in state league with Bendel Insurance and I was called to join the junior national team. I won the league with NNB and also the WAFU Cup three times and the CAF Cup with Shooting Stars the first season it started.

You were amongst those that made are early entry into the national team, how did you get the nudge?

I joined the junior national in 1977/78 in first ever junior national team; letter I was invited to the senior team for the1980 Nations Cup. Silvanus Okpala, Henry Nwonsu and I were the three players invited from the junior team to join the Green Eagles. From then on, I was a regular player of the national team till I retired in 1996.

It was a wonderful time playing in the national team. With this, whenever I am called to serve my country, I will do it with utmost joy and sacrifice to contribute to the development of the game in the country.

You virtually spend your career in the Nigerian league, what is your overview of the present league?

If they (league organizers) want the league to grow, they should look for a way to make the match officials to be honest. Nigerian referees and match commissioners are not honest. This has made teams not being able to win away matches regularly as it used to be in our time.

Also, some players are naturally skillful that even inside the eighteen yard box, they can chest the ball, but when they do this nowadays, the referee will say it is penalty. Tell me if such a player will do that next time, this is part of what is killing the glamour of the game in the country.

When did you get married and how many children do you have?

I go married fourteen years ago to my heart rub, a graduate of Communication and Language Art from the University of Ibadan and I am blessed with three kids, two girls and a boy.