Madonna Montessori Old Students Group

Montessori Memoirs

The first time I saw a goal keeper cry and a bicycle kick scored in a live game was in the early 90's. I was in primary school then and it was during the inter-house sport games.

It was the finals of the football competition and the game was between St Bryan's(red) house and St Anne's(pink) house.

Between the sticks for Bryan's house was my old pal, Edem Efa Eyamba.

The man of the moment then was one cheeky junior boy called Ekerene. He was a class or two below me but was the best athlete the school had then. During break periods, Ekerene would dribble all the team members playing on the opposing side with ease. Sometimes, he even dribbled his teammates to the delight of we the onlookers. On extraordinary days, we the fans would run in to join the fray and end up being dribbled by Ekerene.

Back to the story, lol. Ekerene was the playmaker for St Anne's house and he operated like Lionel Messi is doing presently; free to roam.

The score was still one goal a-piece in the 80th minute when a cross came into the 18 yard box of Bryan house. Who did it meet......Ekerene of course! In a moment of genius, he leapt into the air, arched his back and unleashed an overhead kick. Keeper Edem was overwhelmed by the skill and moved a bit late. The ball hit him and barely crossed the line. Edem scrambled the ball back out but then another old pal, Enobong 'Giftson' Udoh(who was the top 9 for St Anne's house) was in place to stick it into the back of the net.

Everybody went wild, the young guru had just delivered a real life overhead kick. Even the sports teacher who doubled as the referee couldn't control his emotions. The keeper was red eyed. Final scores: 2-1.Game over, cup won.

Heeellloo peeps!!! How una dey?