Teslim Balogun
Encyclopedia
Tesilimi Olawale "Teslim" Balogun (1927 – 30 July 1972) was a Nigeria
n football player and coach. Balogun played at both professional and international levels a striker, before becoming Africa's first qualified professional football coach.
a total of seven times.
After originally touring with a Nigerian select team in 1949, Balogun returned to the UK in August 1955 to sign with Peterborough United
. However, Balogun never made a league appearance for Peterborough, and spent time with Skegness Town
before signing with Queens Park Rangers
, scoring 3 goals in 13 appearances in the Football League
during the 1956-57 season. After leaving QPR, Balogun returned to non-League football, playing with Holbeach United
.
Balogun was also a member of the Nigerian national side
for 17 years.
.
in the Nigerian city of Lagos
is named in his honour. The Teslim Balogun Foundation was founded after his death to assist the families of Nigerian ex-international footballers who may have fallen on hard times.
Balogun died in his sleep on 30 July 1972, at the age of 45. He had eight children.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n football player and coach. Balogun played at both professional and international levels a striker, before becoming Africa's first qualified professional football coach.
Playing career
Balogun played in his native Nigeria for a number of teams, including Apapa Bombers, Marine Athletics, UAC XI, Railways XI, Jos XI, Pan Bank Team, Dynamos Club and SCOA XI. During his time in Nigeria, Balogun won the Challenge CupNigerian FA Cup
The Nigerian FA Cup is the main football single-elimination tournament in Nigeria. It was created in 1945 as the "Governor's Cup", succeeding the War Memorial Challenge Cup that had been limited to teams from Lagos.- Winners :War Memorial Challenge Cup*1942 : ZAC Bombers 1-0 Services*1943 : Lagos...
a total of seven times.
After originally touring with a Nigerian select team in 1949, Balogun returned to the UK in August 1955 to sign with Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
. However, Balogun never made a league appearance for Peterborough, and spent time with Skegness Town
Skegness Town A.F.C.
Skegness Town Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Skegness, Lincolnshire, that competes in the Lincolnshire League.-History:...
before signing with Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, scoring 3 goals in 13 appearances in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
during the 1956-57 season. After leaving QPR, Balogun returned to non-League football, playing with Holbeach United
Holbeach United F.C.
Holbeach United F.C. is an English football club based in Holbeach, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division and play at Carters Park.-History:...
.
Balogun was also a member of the Nigerian national side
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
for 17 years.
Coaching career
Balogun became the first African to qualify as a professional coach. He was a coach for Nigeria at the 1968 Summer Olympics1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
.
Legacy
The Teslim Balogun StadiumTeslim Balogun Stadium
Teslim Balogun Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Lagos, Nigeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches and serves as a home ground of First Bank F.C....
in the Nigerian city of Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
is named in his honour. The Teslim Balogun Foundation was founded after his death to assist the families of Nigerian ex-international footballers who may have fallen on hard times.
Personal life
Balogun was nicknamed "Thunder" because of his powerful shot, and was also known as "Balinga" for a similar reason. During his time touring schools to coach youngesters, he was nicknamed "Baba Ball."Balogun died in his sleep on 30 July 1972, at the age of 45. He had eight children.