Nigerian Football Icon, Segun Odegbami, Celebrates His 64th Birthday Today

Patrick Olusegun Odegbami, often shortened to Segun Odegbami (born August 27, 1952, in Abeokuta) is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a forward. He’s nicknamed Mathematical for his precise style of play.

He was famous for running down the touchline with the ball to prevent opponents from getting it. Odegbami is regarded as one of the greatest Nigerian players of all-time.

Odegbami was brought up in the northern city of Jos, Plateau State. He won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for the National Team, and guided Nigeria to its first Africa Cup of Nations title at the 1980 tournament in his homeland.

Nicknamed Mathematical, he was famous for his skill on the ball, speed and precision of his crosses from the right wing. He played for IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan his entire career, from 1970 to 1984.

His last game was the 1984 African Champions Cup final defeat to Zamalek of Egypt.

The original source of the nickname “Mathematical” was because Segun Odegbami attended and graduated from Nigeria’s premier technical institution; The Polytechnic, Ibadan where he studied Engineering.

His younger brother, Wole Odegbami, is also a former national team player. He is currently a columnist in Nigeria.

In 2007 Chief Segun Odegbami appeared on Nigerian Who Wants To Be A Millionaire hosted by Frank Edoho. He played a game for charity with the much loved Zebrudaya and donated all his winnings to The Little Saints’ Orphanage on the Strong Tower Mission.

AJB wishes the great Legend Happy Birthday