Anthony Igwe was born on December 24, 1945 in Nigeria, and joined the Nigerian National Youth Team at the age of 8. At the age of 16 Tony played in the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics representing Nigeria. He played Professionally in the ASL and for Team Nigeria from 1968 to 1974. In 1975, Igwe migrated to United States, to play for coach Steve Negoesco on two national championship teams at USF. He was an All American with the Dons three times from 1975 to 1978. He graduated with a Bachelors in Kinesiology in 1979. He earned a Masters in Career Guidance Psychology at SFSU.

He once played against Pele when Santos of Brazil was on a world tour. "That was my favorite moment ever," he said. "Pele scored two goals, but, as a fullback, I was able to have contact with him (SFGate)."