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By Emma Jemegah
Tarilla Okoronkwo is a former football player with Bendel Insurance, Benin, IICC Shooting Stars, Ibadan as well as Leventis United, Ibadan. He was also an international forward with the Nigerian football team. He is the first Nigerian football player to score in a FIFA-organised tournament at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Mexico1983.
The dancing winger regarded as a superbrat due to his no-nonsense disposition throughout his days with the national team is presently the General Manager of Bayelsa United of Yenagoa, a professional league side in Nigeria.
If there is one thing he regrets, it’s not being able to meet his son from a relationship in Ghana and he desperately craves a reunion with him.
We know your name is Tarila Okorowanta, ex this, ex that. Please tell us how you got into football.
As I was growing up then, we used to live in the barracks because my dad was a Naval Officer at Ajegunle where I started playing football with other kids of my age group.
What impact did your environment play in you becoming what you are today?
Like I said before, where I grew up was to me an environment of peace, talking about the military barracks, where there’s no disturbance of any sort. We lived at Navy Barracks at AJ City, Malu Road.
What would you say differentiates the football that you played and what is being played now?
Actually, the difference between then and now is way too far. We had passion for the game and to crown it, we had love for one another as teammates.
How would you describe the experience of your playing days abroad?
My playing abroad is not to be compared with playing abroad in the real sense of it because I played mostly in African countries. The experience, my brother, was way too far that I couldn’t just compare. Is it pay as at when due, facilities, accommodation, environment, name it. Let’s forget comparison. For your information, I played in Cote d’ Ivoire and Gabon, two fantastic countries and Europe where there is mentality of organisation when it comes to football.
How would you describe your transition from the junior national team to the senior national team, the Super Eagles?
Well, it’s a perfect transition because I merited it alongside five other of my colleagues then. After a good performance in the junior national team, immediately we were drafted to the senior national team, the Super Eagles and I was the delight of the fans too.
Given your experience, will you prefer a foreign coach to a home-grown one?
During my playing days, it’s been black coaches that I played under, mostly, and if you ask me I will prefer a foreigner for some reason.
If you didn’t play football, what other career would you have chosen?
Good question. Between you and me, I really cannot tell if I had not played football what career I would have chosen. I don’t know and I wouldn’t have known.
How do you relax?
I like to play badminton as a mild exercise and walking exercise like miles and back home.
In your family, your son plays for Israel. Why not Nigeria?
The person many people are thinking is my son is actually my junior brother that played professional football in Israel. His name is Bernard Okorowanta.
Can you recall how you found your way into the game? Was it accidental or planned?
It was planned because in the barracks where I grew up, we played football from morning to the night without remembering when to eat. I had a dream that one day I will be or play like the great Pele of Brazil. I never stopped watching Pele’s goals in video cassettes, and then it was black and white TV.
How was the journey? Where did it start and when did it end? Was there any circumstance that made you say, it’s enough?
My parents, especially my dad, may his soul rest in peace, did everything to stop his boy from playing football but I didn’t look back. Though I started my football career in Navy Barracks at AJ and ended it in Italy with a local team, a division 3 non-professional side in Ladispoli, Rome suburb.
What were the difficulties you met on the way and how did you overcome?
After football career life continues but you have to deal with it in every possible way you can. That’s life for you.
Who are the colleagues that pissed you off? In what way did they get you pissed off? And who were those you looked forward to seeing anytime camp is near?
We had love between us back then, nobody pissed me off, not in anyway because we loved to see ourselves and pray for camp to reopen.
You later became an important member of the national team, where you had a great time. What are your memorable moments as well as the ugly and unforgettable ones?
Even though people say I was stubborn but one thing I remember doing for the team and my county is to deliver at every given time. When I score goals, I don’t like jubilating. It’s my own way of being happy whenever I score. When people are jubilating I don’t rather I celebrate after the final whistle when we had won, not when the game is still on.
Your journey outside the country, did it happen as planned or just coincidence? And in what manner?
It was planned, not a coincidence.
In which of the countries you played professionally did you have your best career moments?
As I said earlier, I played in Europe and my best career moment was when I played in Ivory Coast and Gabon.
What did playing professional abroad contribute to the person who you are today?
Nothing. Just for the fun of it. How can you play professional football at old age?
And how did you manage the cultural difference, especially with your kids?
Sorry, my kid is somewhere in Ghana and I’m making arrangements for him to come to Nigeria and see me.
What gives you joy and what turns you off?
Joy. Seeing my mom still living and my younger ones doing well. The moment I hear sad news it turns me off.
How do you access the development of sports, especially football in Nigeria and what solution can you provide if you have the opportunity to administer the game in the country?
As a veteran in the game, football is meant for the youths and one must be patient in developing them for them to grow and excel. I like to see more academies in the country from where more youths will emerge to play in various clubs and the national side.
Can you ever coach the Nigeria national team or any of the club sides if given the opportunity?
Why not national team? With the right certificate though yes, club sides why not if given the opportunity.
What are you into presently and do you find enjoyment in it like when you were playing football?
Presently am with Bayelsa United, Yenagoa, a NPFL side as the team manager. Because I have passion in anything I do in life, my position with the club will not be an exception, but playing is far better anyway.
