The FIFA World Cup is always a period people from different parts of the world converge at the host country to catch a glimpse of the world’s biggest sporting event. Therefore, it is not unusual to run into different familiar faces of the game, either as ex-internationals or sports journalists or just football fans.
This was the case when Nigerian journalist, Chisom Mbonu came across former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami in Russia. Known in his playing days as ‘Mathematical’, Odegbami is regarded as one of the best footballers to ever represent the country, scoring 23 goals in 46 appearances for the ‘Green Eagles’ as the team was known. What’s more, he led Nigeria to its first African Cup of Nations in 1980.
No surprises then that Chisom was able to spot England and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. The highly-rated youngster was in disguise as he walked around St Petersburg on his team off day. He could have gotten away but our eagle-eyed Chisom spotted him and made the inter-generational introductions. We can only imagine how honoured he would have been to meet a living football legend!
Like Odegbami, Rashford is expected to achieve great things in his career. At only 20 years old, he’s the youngest England player to score in his first senior international match. His team take on Panama in their next game while Odegbami will be hoping the Super Eagles get a good result against Iceland on Friday.