June 14, (THEWILL) – Nigerian footballer, Titus Okere, who gained recognition as a member of Nigeria’s first national football team, “U.K. Tourists”, has passed away at the age of 94.
Born on March 22, 1929, in Ngor Okpala Local Government in Owerri, Imo State, Okere was an impactful part of Nigeria’s football. He demonstrated his skills while playing matches with English amateur clubs during the team’s tour in the United Kingdom. In a memorable international match against Sierra Leone, Okere scored a goal, contributing to Nigeria’s 2–0 victory.
Okere’s journey in football began with his impressive performance during a tour of Azikiwe’s athletic club, where he caught the attention of Azikiwe himself. He briefly played for ZAC (Zik’s Athletic Club) Port Harcourt before moving to Lagos to join Lagos Railways. Notably, Okere led the Railways team as their captain in 1948, during which they achieved considerable success and claimed several trophies.
His talents led him to Swindon Town F.C. in the United Kingdom, although his time there was met with limited triumph. Despite this setback, Okere was appointed as the captain of the Nigeria national team squad for their match against Gold Coast in 1951.
After his football career, Titus Okere settled in Kent, England, in 1953. His contribution to Nigerian football and his time as a member of the “U.K. Tourists” team left a lasting legacy in the sport. As the last surviving member of Nigeria’s first football team, Okere passed away on Wednesday, leaving behind a rich history and memories of his remarkable achievements.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
