Why I’m Called the Headmaster
Deft feet, athletic body, intuitive fast pace, expansive vision on the pitch, robust midfield management and a head for goals; few footballers have that genius at a go. One of Nigeria’s greatest football midfield maestros, Mutiu ‘Headmaster’ Adepoju, fits that bill. An illustrious player, intrepid and indefatigable, he worked his socks off on behalf of the national team – be it the junior or senior national team – to ensure victories.

Unassuming and a man of few words, Adepoju has won laurels on and off the pitch.

Adepoju was part of the ‘Miracle of Damman’ in Saudi Arabia in 1989, reveals the side of a man many might not know before

Ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju is one of Nigeria’s football legends who have written his name on the sands of time. Soft spoken, humble and down-to earth, from the back waters of his hometown in Ibadan, Oyo State, Headmaster as he is fondly called, played his way into the nation’s consciousness and later put Nigeria on the global map.

His first goal at the famous ‘Damman miracle of ‘89’ when Mutiu and his teammates metamorphosed from ‘zero’ to heroes remains one of the greatest moments for Nigeria, making the whole world to stand still. After 20 years of playing football, Adepoju retired in 2005 to nurture the younger ones through his Headmaster Sports Academy.

His name refuses to fade away; his contributions have become a reference point just as his moment playing the soccer was remarkable. Like David Beckham of England, the Argentine football icon, Maradona, the Italian Roberto Bagio of that era who all wrote their names on the sands of time as football legends, ex-international soccer star, Adepoju, belongs to the league of unforgettable stars in Nigeria.

From Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Adepoju went on to become an international football star, and at the age of 19 put Nigeria on the global map. Not many Nigerians would easily forget the tension-soaked match between Nigeria and the former Soviet nation in 1989 during Under-20 FIFA World Cup in which Nigeria came from behind to win what many considered a ‘lost’ battle.

That feat late became known as the ‘Damman Miracle’ of 1989. As the narrative goes all the football personalities that mattered in the world converged on the oil-rich emirate in a football match between Nigeria and the former USSR. What made that moment memorable was how Nigeria came from trailing USSR 4-0 to winning the match.

The country later bounced back thanks to the first goal scored by Mutiu Adepoju, which later opened the flood gate of three other scores. Nigeria not only equalized but beat the opponent to reach the semi-final later against the United States. The ‘miracle’ continued as Nigeria beat the United States to reach the final. Nigeria, however, lost the final match to Portugal.

But that tournament remains one of the glorious moments as many football enthusiasts still remember that tournament with nostalgia.

The memory refuses to go away just like the team that made it happened. He was only 19 with his eyes fixed to conquer the world. Adepoju played roles in the golden era of 1994 squad that conquered Africa and later became fifth in the world. He played the qualifying matches for the USA 1994 World Cup. He was a member of the national team alongside Austin “JJ” Okocha, the late Rashidi Yekini and Peter Rufai. He appeared for the country in the world cups and the African Cup of Nations.

Following his good performance at the Saudi tournament, Adepoju moved to Spain where he plied his football trade for the next 12 years scoring good goals over the course of seven seasons mainly representing Racing Santander and Real Sociedad. He played for the Real Madrid junior team, Castila.

He declared to Daily Times recently that the Damman Miracle remains the best moment of his career