Against Syli Nationale!
Following appeals by the Head Coach, Samson Siasia, a number of key players and myself, it is my fervent belief that the entire spectrum of the National Stadium, Abuja would be dominated by green-and-white colours and that there will be a capacity crowd of ardent football fans supporting the Super Eagles at the National Stadium, […]
Following appeals by the Head Coach, Samson Siasia, a number of key players and myself, it is my fervent belief that the entire spectrum of the National Stadium, Abuja would be dominated by green-and-white colours and that there will be a capacity crowd of ardent football fans supporting the Super Eagles at the National Stadium, Abuja this afternoon.
On their part, the players have shown enough seriousness and commitment to the cause (with only one person missing the Tuesday deadline). They have trained hard and shown great promise and dedication at training and all Nigerians must now pray for everything to go right for the team within the 90 minutes against the Syli Nationale.
On the part of the Nigeria Football Federation, we have provided a conducive environment and much more, and we have faith that the Super Eagles will deliver this afternoon.
The Vice President of the Federal Republic, Architect Namadi Sambo will be special guest of honour at today’s big encounter, and I dare say the Super Eagles are used to winning with him in the stands.
Only four months ago, in an international friendly match of high profile, class and stature, the Super Eagles downed Argentina 4-1 and were presented with the lovely trophy, Conquest, by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
We also expect another ardent fan of the Super Eagles, Senate President David Mark, who was the leader of Federal Government delegation to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, cabinet ministers led by the Honourable Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission, senators and House members, the Inspector General of Police, former Sports Ministers, former Presidents of NFF, former Secretaries-General of the NFF and a range of other political and business leaders have been invited to this occasion.
We are not only appealing for Nigerians from everywhere to come to the National Stadium to cheer the Super Eagles to victory, we want them to be decked in green-and-white attires in order to create a proper atmosphere at the venue.
With scores of thousands of people setting off real support, dancing and singing, and with the players motivated by the fact of not wanting to be part of a group that failed to qualify Nigeria for the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 25 years, I believe everything is against Syli Nationale.
The match time has been a subject of serious discourse at home and abroad, but I am delighted that the players quickly realized that there was nothing the NFF could have done about it as it was the directive of the Confederation of African Football, the organizers of the competition. The players and technical crew moved quickly from that realization to adaptation, and it was nice seeing them sweat it out from 2pm on Wednesday and Thursday.
In any event, the majority of the Guinean players also play in Europe as our players, and it was most refreshing to hear striker Osaze Odemwingie, back to the team, say that the weather would not be much different from what has been obtaining in Europe for some months now.
With top political and business leaders and other ball fans at the Stadium, and the fact of October 8, certainly this day belongs to Nigeria.
I have mentioned October 8 as an issue because I like to point out that ever since Nigeria has been involved in international football, our dear country’s senior team has NEVER lost a football match on October 8.
The first-ever football match involving Nigeria took place on October 8, against Sierra Leone in Freetown on October 8, 1949. Those were the days of the UK Tourists. We won the match 2-0 after an own goal by a Sierra Leonean and one by Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun.
Another friendly on October 8, 1963, against Liberia in Monrovia, ended 2-2. Albert Onyeawuna scored both goals for Nigeria.
The first competitive international involving Nigeria on October 8 was in 1977, when the Green Eagles ran riot against the Pharaoh of Egypt in a 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium, Lagos. Segun Odegbami scored twice before one each by John Nwadioha and ‘chairman’ Christian Chukwu, for a 4-0 pounding of the visitors.
However, the following month, we lost to Tunisia right in Lagos and fluffed the opportunity to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time.
Yet, on October 8, 1993, that day finally arrived. Stephen Keshi captained the squad to achieve a 1-1 draw in Algiers that saw Nigerian earn a first-ever ticket to the FIFA World Cup finals. Finidi George scored in the first half before the Algerians fought hard to equalize in the second period.
Another World Cup qualifier on October 8 (2005) ended in a 5-1 spanking of Zimbabwe at the National Stadium, Abuja, but a late, late goal by Angola against Rwanda in Kigali unhinged our aspiration to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany. The Super Eagles and the Palancas Negras (Angola) finished level on points and the Eagles with better goals advantage, but that qualifying series was guided by head-to-head rule and after losing 0-1 in Luanda and drawing 1-1 with Angola in Kano, the Eagles were eliminated.
Exactly five years ago, also in an African Nations Cup qualifier, a lone goal by Yakubu Aiyegbeni ensured a 1-0 away win over Lesotho.
This time, it is also head-to-head but the difference is we have our destiny in our own hands and there would be no palpitations and anxiety over what is happening somewhere else.
Yes, Madagascar and Ethiopia are also playing at the same time in Addis Ababa but the Guineans are the ones to worry about that as Nigerians do not intend to be bothering ours heads with being one of the best second-place finishers.
Osaze Odemwingie, who also scored against Zimbabwe in that whitewash exactly six years ago, is back in the team and rearing to go. The Head Coach has reportedly given him the ‘licence to kill’ and a highly-motivated Osaze is always a plus for the Eagles.
Of the invited to this assignment, the likes of goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Efe Ambrose (newly married) and Chibuzor Okonkwo, midfielders Joel Obi, Fengor Ogude and Ahmed Musa and strikers Ekigho Ehiosun, Emmanuel Emenike, Peter Utaka and Brown Ideye have never been to a Cup of Nations, let alone play there.
Even those who have been to the Cup of Nations among them have not won the trophy, and the ultimate at any football competition is to win the trophy and gold.
Captain Joseph Yobo, more than 10 years on the international road and a true role model, has called on his team mates to forget everything on the day and play to win, not any fantasy football. It is a good call.
Nigeria rode on the back of Guinea to qualify for her first African Cup of Nations finals (Ghana 1963) and WILL surely do the same today inside the National Stadium, Abuja.
I need to add that the three children of the late Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal (that legend who passed on 20 years ago) will be at the stadium as well. In line with our promise to honour the man, we had earlier invited Mrs Yetunde Muda-Lawal to the international friendly match against Ghana in London in August. The match did not take place as a result of the riots at that time, but we had meaningful interaction and useful discussions.
Olatunde Muda-Lawal, Bolanle Muda-Lawal and Bosede Muda-Lawal will all be there watching and supporting the Super Eagles to qualify for the African Cup of Nations, 31 years after their father scored the final goal that seales the fate of Algeria and earned Nigeria her first African Cup of Nations title.
And to all the wonderful spectators from far and near who will be egging the Eagles on this afternoon, I say: May Victory Be Ours!
NEXT WEEK: Referees and Refereeing (1)