MEET THE MAN WHO SCORED THE FIRST EVER GOAL FOR NIGERIA IN THE AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS
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| Late Asuquo Ekpe, Nigerian Football Legend |
Since Nigeria made her debut in the 1963 AFCON in Ghana, there have been a number of memorable moments.
One of such moments was Nigeria’s first ever goal in the competition. This feat was achieved by the football legend; Asuquo Ekpe, earning him a place forever in the history books.
Asuquo Ekpe made his international debut for Nigeria on October 6, 1956, against Togo.
He played with Welch XI, Lagos Railways, Secretariat FC, Ibadan Lions and Western Rovers during his active footballing career.
Asuquo became the first Nigerian to score in the Africa Cup of Nations, finding the back of the net in the 73rd minute in a 6-3 to defeat United Arab Republic (now Egypt).
Nigeria lost her second game 0-4 to Sudan, a result that eliminated Nigeria from the 1963 AFCON in Ghana.
The Nigerian 18-man team to the 1963 AFCON was led by Brazilian Jorge Augusto Pena who was the head coach of the Green Eagles as they were then called.
Asuquo Ekpe won “24 caps, 14 goals” for the Green Eagles (as senior football team was called at the time) during his career from 1956 to 1963.
He was the older sibling of another Green Eagles star, Effiong Ekpe, and nephew of the famous Etim Henshaw who played for Duke Town Primary & Secondary School in the 1940s-1950s and was captain of the first national team that toured the UK in 1949.
In the match against Dahomey on February 2,1963, the brothers (Asuquo and Effiong Ekpe) became the first siblings to play for Nigeria in the same game. They went on to play together for Nigeria a number of times earning him the nickname “Ekpe Senior”.
Asuquo Ekpe died on January 30, 2016, in calabar.
May the soul of the legend rest in peace (amen).