By Chidi – Ebere .O. Moneme.
Moses Akuhuwa Kpakor is arguably one of the best Mid – Field players that Nigeria Football has ever produced till date, reports silvernews.com.ng
During his active playing days (Carrear), he was Nick – named “The Policeman” of Nigeria Football by the Late Nigeria’s best sports commentator, Earnest Okonkwo.
It was during the 1990 Edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), that was hosted by Algeria, which also marked Moses Kpakor”s first AFCON appearance for Nigeria, in a Super Eagles team handled by the Dutch Man, Coach Clemence Westerhof, which consisted mostly, home based players, that the nick – name was given to him, because Moses Kpakor successfully policed the then most dreaded striker in Africa Football, Rabah Madjer, in the final game of the 1990 AFCON in Algeria.
Nigeria lost 1 – 0 to the Desert Warriors of Algeria in the final match, after the 5 – 1 loss that they suffered earlier to the same star studded Algeria National team in the opening game of the tournament.
Unfortunately, his blossoming Carrear came to an abrupt end, when he sustained a fatal injury, while playing for the then dreaded 1989 Nigeria FA Cup winners and the 1990 CAF Winners Cup Champions, BCC Lions of Gboko, in a 1991 Nigeria Division one league game against the then Naze Millionaires, Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club Of Owerri.
That particular match was expected to be his last game for the Gboko Lions before his already scheduled transfer to play for the Feyenord FC in Holland, where he had already secured a lucrative contract to feature for the Dutch Giants.
Despite the injury and the aborted move to Holland, Moses Kpakor still played for a few seasons for BCC Lions of Gboko as a Coach – Player.
The former Abiola Babes FC of Abeokuta legend couldn’t play at his best because of the sustained injury, so he had no option left but to quit from active football in 1998.
It is important to note that, soon after he ended his active football Carrear, Moses Kpakor went back to school to obtain a degree in Physical and Health Education, and also a Master’s Degree in Sports Management.
The former Nigeria Golden Eaglets U – 17 National Team Assistant Coach and Sharks of Port – Harcourt coach is a lecturer with the Benue State University (BSU).
In addition to this position, Moses Kpakor is presently about to complete his PHD programme at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
Obviously, Moses Kpakor stands out as one of the most educated former Super Eagles of Nigeria Player.
In Conclusion, it is also important to point out that many football fans, even his die – hard supporters can’t even recognise his facial appearance again, because the Super Eagles Legend is not looking Haggard, un – kept or lamenting like other Ex Internationals, that he has been abandoned in retirement from an active National Service to Nigeria.
