As the World Cup counts down, many Nigerians are eager to see their team line up against the biggest names in football after missing out on the previous tournament.
The loss of the World Cup finals ticket to Angola on the last day of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup was one of the lowest points in recent Nigerian football history. The whole nation watched in surprise as the Palancas Negras edged out the Super Eagles via the head-to-head rule to clinch their group’s solitary berth.
However, fast forward four years and the Super Eagles have gotten a slot to participate in the most prestigious World Cup of all, the first on African soil. It is a miracle that Nigeria qualified after Tunisia failed to secure a victory in their last game against Mozambique. Perhaps it was by a sleight of hand by Mother Africa that made Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country qualify. Whatever it was, our joy knew no bounds when the final whistle was blown at the Kasarani Stadium in Kenya.
It was the fulfillment of a long-held dream since South Africa was announced as host of the World Cup back in 2004. As an individual, I told myself that this is finally the opportunity to watch my football idols play at close quarters.
Far from being an unknown force in world football, Nigeria has created some memorable football moments for the whole world.
In 1994 during the country’s first appearance, a certain burly striker Rashidi Yekini scored our first ever World Cup goal against Bulgaria in a 3-0 whitewash. His celebration of that goal still gives me goosebumps. The one we all call ‘Goals Father’ grabbed at the net inside the goal post and chanted some words of ecstasy into the night air. Many of us have tried to guess what Yekini said with the most popular permutation being: “I thank you ancestors that I, Rashidi Yekini, have done it again, I have scored at the World Cup!”
As a nation, we have also produced some of the most colorful players to have ever appeared at the World Cup. Defenders Taribo West and Efe Sodje used their hair and beard that were painted in the green and white colors of the country to bring a lot of creativity to the 'mundial'. Likewise, in 1998 Austin Okocha not only shone brightly with his tricky dribbles but also with his peroxide blonde hair.
Perhaps the biggest factor which Nigeria has contributed to world football is the Nigeria Supporters Club. Led by Raufu Ladipo, Nigeria’s travelling supporters have become a regular customer of international competitions making their inspiring music a repertoire of the Super Eagles. They will again be in South Africa in large numbers and I’m sure they will not be deterred by the vuvuzelas as they will chant, dance and make merry to inspire the Eagles to success.
South Africa 2010 is an African World Cup, no doubt about that. We shall celebrate every African team like our own. Our hoots and chants shall increase every time an African team files out into the field because we are one people.
Under the spell of football, we shall forget all our differences and rejoice together when we win as well as cry together when we lose.
Football is many an African’s escape from the drudgery of daily living and the biggest showpiece of all coming to Africa can only mean one thing: joy.
It’s our turn and we shall make it count. We will welcome all our visitors with open arms like we usually do and give them a feast of football that they will remember for many years to come.
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