IF you thought world football greats had their namesakes and following in the sport then you are wrong.
While there’s no argument that Brazilian, Edson Arantes de Nascimento ‘Pele’ and Argentine Diego Armando Maradona were favourite given names to footballers, and a few of those rang true in Fiji, it is worth mentioning that local footballers had their namesakes and following as well.
Pele-Maradona
And with Pele and Maradona, the all-time best in the sport, Jimmy Okete, Abdul Mannan, Vula Wate, Rusiate Waqan, Savenaca Waqa, Enerst Doughty, Kelemedi Vosuga Cheetah, Inia Bola, Faruk Janeman, Bale Raniga, Anand Sami, Ivor Evans, Tony Kabakoro, Abraham Watkins, Semi Tabaiwalu, Josia Tubuna and Linga Nadan were rampantly heard names during pickup, local club and Bazaar games in the country in the 70-80s.
These adored footballers who were the heartthrobs of the nation were cloned by namesakes.
Their style and skills emulated, maybe far short of the world fame they were fans’ delight and garnered respect.
Nadi’s Amani Rokoderea was the first player in the 70s, who was named after Pele, he played district football for a few years before migrating to Australia on a contract, Simon Peters followed suit in the 90s, both were exquisite athletes.
Amani was a Pele lookalike, played like him and had the knack to score goals, from classic headers to one-on-one situations during his short but colourful run.
His appearance and stigma were reason enough for friends to nickname him Pele.
Simon Peters, the darling of a player from the friendly North, Labasa was a titan, full of skills.
He envied pint-sized Argentinian, Diego Maradona, so much so that he was named Maradona.
He was once quoted, saying that one person he loved to meet was Argentina’s 86’ World Cup hero, famously known for his ‘hands of God’ goal against England in Mexico 86’ WC.
Like Amani, Simon’s uncanny dribbling skills, body movements and goal-scoring traits had the country call Simon Maradona Peters.
So what’s it about the nicknames the footballers love, not just world-renowned but also local?
Local imitation
Former Rewa and national footballer Mohammed Salim before he made his name in the sport emulated Enerst Doughty, a Lautoka sensation.
In a Sportsone interview, he admitted being a big fan of Doughty and wanted to be like him.
“It was something about Doughty, he was very skillful, scored goals and I wanted to be like him”.
Salim said he was often called Ernest Dought while playing pickup football in the Nasinu- Rewa area.
Nizamud Peter Dean, a former Nadi and national team defender admired Ba and national team defender Semi Tabaiwalu and his style of play.
“I used to love his style of play, he motivated me when I was in the national team,” he said.
“I’d lie if I said I didn’t imitate him.”
The fierce district rivals, Nadi-Ba played for the national team for many years.
Ivor’s rise, following
And then it was Ivor Evans, whose sudden rise in the sport was jaw dropping, the little’ magician awed Fiji in the 2-years he played in the country.
He kicked up a stardom storm with Labasa, moving to Ba in 1986’ to win the IDC, and the rest was history.
Considered by far as the best skilled footballer, he had all the makings of a world class ranking, the novice in every district found themselves named after him.
Goalkeeping greats
Goalkeepers pretended to be Bale Raniga, Savenaca Waqa, Suliano Turaga, Vula Wate and Linga Nadan.
They were said to be the best the country saw between the sticks, so why not use them to fulfill the net-minders’ craving?
Their agility, eye-ball coordination, decisions under pressure and leadership were unparalleled.
These players and others are revered to this day, who were endowed with talent and their names are mentioned in the same breath as the world’s best.
Likewise, the many recreational footballers who emulate their favourites, for skills, styles or just as role models have all enjoyed the beautiful game in their star’s shadows.
Jimmy Okete, Kelemedi Vosuga, Rusiate Waqan, Abdul Mannan, Inia Bola, Anand Sami, Tony Kabakoro, Faruk Janeman, Abraham Watkins, Semi Tabaiwalu, Ivor Evans and Josia Tubuna have all made valuable contributions in real life and through emulation.
After all, imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
