"Toss A Coin": Nibombe Wake's Tale
The former Obuasi Goldfields and Togo goalkeeper is a hero with a grudge
A coin toss is all it took. A matter of odds and probabilities. Certainly not the most efficient way of determining a career path, but for the Togolese goalkeeping legend, Nibombe Wake, that is how it played out.
“Schools at the time played in these national championships and our school had to play against a team from a place called Tchamba. Our first choice goalkeeper was accused of being over age, so our teacher, Mr.Djobo asked for volunteers. I was a striker then, but I put my hands up.So did another boy from our school. Mr.Djobo tossed a coin to decide between us and I won. We beat Tchamba and also Sokode in the final.That is how my career between the posts took off”.
That was over three decades ago, as a primary school student in the northern Togolese province of Bassar where he hails from. His career has gone full circle since then. Taking him to Lome and Obuasi. A legend in two countries, yet tinged with tragedy and bitterness.
Most pundits say the best the goalkeepers have a hint of eccentricity about them. Some of the continent’s best have always played on the edge. Mensah, Shoubeir, Gouamene,Kidiaba, Samba Brice, Hadary, Barry “Copa”.
Wake was no different in his trademark long,black pants. He was an ebullient character in goal, quick off his lines and supremely agile His animated antics kept fans on the edge of their seats anytime he played.
As he nears his 50th birthday,these characteristics have all disappeared. Replaced by an angry man who feels under-appreciated and forgotten by those he served with his life. Physically, he is not at his peak. His body is ravaged by the after effects of a terrorist attack in Cabinda,Angola during the AFCON of 2010 while on duty with the national team. It has become one of the most infamous incidents in AFCON history. Three members of the Togo delegation died whilst seven others were injured.
It is a period in his life that haunts and angers him in equal measure.
“I was the goalkeeper’s trainer of the team at the time. It was a scary incident that I wouldn’t like to talk about or to even remember it. We were held at gunpoint and they fired at us. I took a bullet in my right knee but I thank God I am alive after having been operated successfully. There are a lot of politics around those of us who survived since that day. It is very, very bad. I don’t want to talk about it my friend”.
It is a dark place to be for a man who was capable of lighting up whole countries at his peak with his ability to prevent goals. One of those is Ghana.
A Ghanaian coach, Isaac Boateng recently chose Wake, as the greatest goalkeeper of the premier league era in Ghana and many who watched him would not disagree.
Playing from 1996 for the star studded Goldfields team that had won three league titles, Wake was the veritable brick wall. If you scored against him, you could keep the ball. Such was his reputation. To think that Goldfields did not consider him good enough the first time he tried out.
“ I was playing for a first division team in Mango where the coach was a Ghanaian called Ayooman. I was the second choice goalkeeper.During a tour of Senegal our first choice goalie conceded a bizarre goal and was taken off. Ayooman brought me on and I did well, but we lost the match. He was, however, impressed and got me a trial with Goldfields. I was in Ghana with Goldfields for about two months. Salifu Ansah was already an established player in the team. I wasn’t given a good treatment so I returned to Lomé. Goldfields however, came back to me and gave me a contract and an apartment”.
Once ensconced as the first choice for the Miners, he showed his true quality. They are among his proudest memories.
“I won the best goalie award and I received a television set and an amount of money. I didn’t win because I was a foreigner, but because I was the best in the country at the time”.
1997 however, was the year the whole of Africa would take notice of his talent.
CAF had re-launched its premier club championships as the African Champions league and Goldfields as champions represented Ghana. A series of superlative performances by Wake and his team mates in a group that contained Zamalek and Club Africain took them to the finals where they would face Morocco’s Raja Casablanca.
The first leg was played in Obuasi. In a tense match, Wake stood out as Lawrence Adjei’s goal gave Goldfields a slim lead. He would be even better in the second leg. As an entire continent watched, Wake delivered one of the greatest individual goalkeeping performances in the competition. His efforts, however ,would not keep out Raja Casablanca who got an equalizer through Abdulkarim Nazir.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, Wake saved two penalties, but it would be in a losing effort. Raja Casablanca won 5-4. In a loss it was a crowning moment.
You can feel the pride in his voice as he recalls these moments. I ask him if he had visited Obuasi since he left Ghana.
“Oh yes !! I visited Obuasi on two occasions. The first time Ashgold was playing a league match when I went. They hailed me and Sam Jonah and other officials took me straight to the VIP section. Sam Jonah liked me and always treated me like his own child. If I had the means back then I would have built a house in Ghana.I can never forget my stay in Ghana because it is a great football nation”.
His reputation and performances both domestically and in African club competition also meant he was Togo’s starring goalkeeper at international level with the AFCON of 1998 in Burkina Faso on the horizon. And a clash against the country where he earned a living.
With the Champions league ending in December, Wake joined the Togo national team as soon as Goldfields arrived in Ghana. He had eyes on upsetting Ghana’s star studded team when the time came and he wanted to be ready.
A confident Ghana played Togo in its second group game at the Stade du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou. Fresh off a win against a strong Tunisia side, Ghana’s team, led by the legendary Abedi Pele was in confident mood. The Togolese team had lost their first game 2-1 against the DR Congo and were placeholders in Ghana’s expected march to the next round of the competition. They did not count on an inspired Nibombe Wake.
Togo scored within four minutes through Franck Dote to leave Rinus Israel and his wards sweating. Attack after attack was launched by Ghana but there was no going past Wake. Abedi Pele and Peter Ofori Quaye were particular victims as the Togolese goalie repelled them several times. Ghana would finally find a way past him through a Sam Johnson penalty in the 83rd minute but the relief would be short lived. A brilliant solo run by winger Abdel-Kader would put paid to Ghana’s hopes in the 90th minute and give Togo its greatest moment in international football. Wake was named man of the match.
Wake does not struggle to name it as his greatest ever match.
“That’s where I showed Ghanaians that I m not God but I am Nibombé Waké. Ghana in 1998 had great players like Abedi Pele , CK Akunnor , Sammy Kuffour and other great players and I showed them they were small boys for me”.
The cost of that performance however was high. For a player who earned his living in Ghana, being the reason for an AFCON exit had consequences.
“That game was the match of divorce between Ghana and I. Fans were very angry with me when I returned .I had taken away a victory they desperately desired. When I returned to Obuasi the reception was not good at all. How I managed to escape from Obuasi only me and my God know”.
His love affair with Obuasi would end by the year 2000 as would his best form.
Legend tells of the proud people of Bassar. Iron workers who also became famous yam farmers and are noted for their strict adherence to their culture. Respect is key for them. Wake is no in doubt that the end of his career and the shooting incident has lost him respect from the current generation and Togo’s football authorities.
“I ask if these people know me. Do they have respect for me? In countries where football works they respect people”.
He is a man out of love with the national team that he gave so much for. In his final words he acknowledges a struggle with watching the national team when they play, but harbors a plan to visit Ghana and Obuasi again.
Was a household name in the country back then..very good goalie.good story
I remember that match like it was yesterday....ninombe was a great goalie