MEET TESLIM BALOGUN WHO TESLIM BALOGUN STADIUM IS NAME AFTER
Teslimi Akanni Balogun aka ‘Thunder'(1927-72): Was a legendary Footballer & Coach. Born in Lagos to Oseni Balogun a star Cricketer of the 1920’s.
In the 40’s and 50’s he played for several Lagos clubs such as Apapa, Marine, Railway, Pan Bank and Dynamic. With these clubs, he won the Governor’s Challenge Cup a record five times in seven Finals. Balogun was nicknamed ‘Thunderbolt’ because of his silky skills and lethal shot. In 1955, he went to England as an apprentice Printer and later signed for Peterborough Utd becoming the first African professional to play in the UK.
Whilst in the UK he played for Queens Park Rangers, Holbeach Utd and Skegness. He was the first African to qualify as a professional Football Coach. He coached Nigeria’s team at the Mexico Olympics in 1968. Balogun died peacefully in his sleep in Ibadan aged only 45. A Stadium in Lagos is named after him and there is a Teslimi Balogun Foundation set up in his honour.
