Elephants and Eagles on collision course

Last week, I started a piece on the useful role of football as building block of nations, with specific reference to the way and manner the Africa Cup of Nations has been an instrument of peace and cordial relations among African peoples and Governments, and the use to which certain politicians had tried to put […]

Last week, I started a piece on the useful role of football as building block of nations, with specific reference to the way and manner the Africa Cup of Nations has been an instrument of peace and cordial relations among African peoples and Governments, and the use to which certain politicians had tried to put the tournament, all in search of better international image and perception.
I will have to put the Part 2 on hold as fate has somewhat conjured a most captivating quarter final showdown between two of Africa’s leading lights in the game.
While some persons may have been disappointed by the draws against Burkina Faso and Zambia, and the late surge against Ethiopia, I am convinced that the clash with Cote d’Ivoire (touted severally as tournament favourites) had been destined and we should only make the best of the situation.
Going into this kind of match as underdog is perhaps the best for a team that seeks to make impact at a competition without making so much noise at the beginning of it.
I have heard so much talk about fortune favouring the brave and this particular competition has proved this mantra several times over.
How many bookmakers had it in their books that Cape Verde, a constellation of small islands with a population of less than 500,000 people (the smallest country to participate at the 56-year old Africa Cup of Nations), would reach the quarter finals? How many saw Burkina Faso topping a Group C that also included Nigeria and champions Zambia? And how many could have seen Togo sneak into the last eight for the first time in their history, from a Group D that included Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia and Algeria?
There were even many African football followers who rated Democratic Republic of Congo, with their array of upcoming matadors, higher than the Eagles of Mali that eventually scaled through from Group B.
Millions could not have predicted that Togo would beat Algeria (2-0 in Rustenburg); that Burkina Faso would wallop an Ethiopian team (4-0 in Nelspruit) that tied with holders Zambia even with a man disadvantage; that Cote d’Ivoire would virtually wipe out Tunisia (3-0 in Rustenburg); that Cape Verde would beat more illustrious fellow former Portuguese colony, Angola (2-1 in Port Elizabeth); that champions Zambia would be unable to reach the last eight, held to a 0-0 by Burkina Faso (in Nelspruit) and; that Togo, never before in the last eight, would hold out (even on the ascendancy at final whistle) against Tunisia to eliminate the 2004 champions.
Lest we forget, the issue for today is the exhilarating pairing of Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire in the third quarter final at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg on Sunday.
Some persons have described the affair as ‘clash of titans,’ ‘royal showdown,’ ‘magnificent match-up’ and all that. But what is not in doubt is that we are in for 90 minutes of the very best of African football tomorrow.
While not in any way trying to downgrade the other quarter finals between Ghana and Cape Verde, South Africa and Mali and Burkina Faso and Togo, the showdown in Rustenburg far outstrips what they can offer, at least on paper.
It is huge credit to the state of football in the region that of the eight quarter finalists in South Africa, seven (7) of them are from West Africa – a firm confirmation that we have the strongest teams in the continent.
I want to give some credit to the South African team (Bafana Bafana) for the way and manner and manner they have improved from the side that find it difficult to score goals in a rash of friendlies, and seized the momentum in front of their own fans to reach the last eight.
While on paper, the Elephants may be stronger and full of vive, authority and invention in all sectors, the Super Eagles have improved with every game and the players realize these would be the biggest match of their lives, at least for some time to come.
On Wednesday, in company with a group of eminent Nigerians, including members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, and distinguished members of the National Assembly, I met with the players and technical crew at the camp in Hunters Rest (Rustenburg) and reiterated that they are in South Africa to hunt for glory and the trophy.
Coach Keshi and his crew have faced a lot of criticisms since the beginning of the competition, and some people have wondered aloud why we even celebrated the victory over Ethiopia “which was only achieved by scoring two penalties?” Of course, penalties are part of the game, and Victor Moses would have scored at least one of those if he was not brought down.
While some of the criticisms may have been unfair, I believe Keshi himself must have heard so much and will definitely be determined to prove sceptics wrong by sending out a strong team of lion-hearted players who will battle hard to subdue the Elephants on Sunday.
Football is about taking your chances and it would be important for the Eagles to take their chances in tomorrow’s match. The Nigeria Football Federation is hereby respectfully urging Nigerians from everywhere to pray for the Super Eagles to conquer tomorrow.