Late Elkanah Onyeali “Mercedese” was one of the pioneering footballers who forayed abroad with their footballing skills combining it with his academics. the loving and caring memories of Late Elkanah Onyeali is fondly remembered every 12th of August when he finally went to be with the Lord.
In memory of his times on earth, Elkanah Onyeali Care Foundation has in the past years tried to immortalize his name with various activities using his principled and exemplary life style to educate and encourage the young ones on how to become successful and worthy ambassadors.
The Foundation also emulates his philanthropic and humane nature by partnering with various organizations, individuals and agencies provide succour and conducive platform for the less privileged especially through sports.
Born 1938 to his parents at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Onyeali started playing football as a Secondary School boy at Holy Ghost College Owerri where he played alongside Chief Arthur Nzeribe (goalkeeper) under the tutelage of Bishop Shanahan (Who was their Principal and coach).
At his young age, Elkanah who was branded “Black Mercedes” was invited to the national team (then known as Red Devils) before he moved to England for his academics and the English fans couldn’t resist his mercurial football skills.
According to a renowned English writer, Ferguson;
“One of the most important men ever to wear a Tranmere shirt is also one of the most overlooked.
“A student who wanted to play football in his spare time, Elkanah Onyeali spent just a few months at Prenton Park.
“Nevertheless, his trailblazing efforts at Rovers’ first foreign -born player deserved greater exposure.
“By signing Onyeali, Tranmere became the first major club on Merseyside to hire a black player, and one of the first in England.
“That was a very important distinction, and a very important story that has rarely been explored.
Many decades after Onyeali the likes of Kanu ” Papilo” Nwankwo, Austin “Jay Jay” Okcha, Daniel Amokachi, Mikel Obi Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success, have all followed his footsteps as footballers from Nigeria that made or are still making waves in England.
Reports has that young Elkanah while at Holy Ghost College in Owerri, where his talent for the game first became apparent, signed for his first professional football contract for Port Harcourt Red Devils, a local team that rose to fame across the nation.
His reputation was enhanced by many dazzling performances, including the 1958 domestic cup final when Onyeali put on a sensational display as his team emerged victorious.
A place in the national team followed shortly thereafter, and Onyeali began to thrill crowds at King George V Stadium in Lagos.
He even set a record by scoring four goals in one international game, a feat that has only been matched once by another Nigerian.
The country was then under British rule, and it wasn’t uncommon for young Nigerians to study in London and beyond but Onyeali was a dedicated pupil, and the desire for excellent qualifications took him to Wirral in the summer of 1960.
Elkanah studied electrical engineering at Birkenhead Technical College and succeeding in that endeavour was very important to him.
After settling in Birkenhead, he wrote letters to Liverpool and Everton, famous clubs across the Mersey Area in Liverpool, asking for a trial.
However, it’s doubtful he knew about Tranmere Rovers, the hometown team, but they soon came forward with an invitation that couldn’t be refused.
It transpired, Rovers’ player -manager was keen to see what the lad could do, and Onyeali subsequently played in three reserve matches for Tranmere Rovers.
The skilful forward impressed enough in his Cheshire League audition to earn a first team contract for the season ahead.
Onyeali could only play part-time due to his studies, but the talent was undeniable. He would be Tranmere’s wildcard in Division Three.
This was a time of great progress and innovation for Rovers.
A man who appeared in more than 400 games for Everton, Farrell got Tranmere playing some swashbuckling stuff, and attendance soared to 11, 815 on average, a club record.
In every department, Rovers sought any edge possible in attracting new fans and raising their profile.
Bournemouth were the visitors for Onyeali’s first game, a crowd of 8,029 flocked to Prenton Park.
This was still a time of relative racial disharmony in Britain, with groups such as the Union Movement and White Defence League spreading hate.
It was important to send a message that people of all creeds and backgrounds were welcome at Prenton Park, and all involved should be proud of what they achieved, from Onyeali himself to the executives and fans who made him feel so comfortable. Elkanah electrified the ground with searing pace and lethal shooting ability. Back home, he was known as Mercedes for his sports car -like speed.
On his Rovers debut, Onyeali scored twice in a thrilling 4-3 victory that caused great excitement among townsfolk and newspaper cartoonists.
Elkanah became an instant favourite with Rovers fans, who affectionately called him ‘Al’ for the sake of simplicity.
On that day against Bournemouth, Onyeali achieved something magical, something that deserves eternal appreciation.
He became the first black player in Tranmere history. He also became the first non -British or Irish player to appear for Rovers.
Records show that he was also just the second Nigerian to play professional football in Britain and was among the very first waves of African footballers on British shores. That pioneering spirit is simply brilliant, and it opened the door to future generations, both at Tranmere and beyond.
His football life was however shortened in England because of his hunger for education which reports has it made him leave England for USA.
He later returned to Nigeria to take coaching jobs at Spartans FC that later became Iwuanyanwu National as well as the Imo Sports Council where records has it that owing to his principled life style refused to doctor his age on his certificate for a Director of Sports position.
