I totally refused to watch it because I had totally lost all hope. But those boys surprised me dang!!
Na real wah o.
From the BBC
Obafemi Martins was the two-goal hero as Nigeria defeated Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi on Saturday 14 November to snatch a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.
Trailing at half-time in a match they had to win, the Super Eagles hit back with two goals inside five minutes through Martins, currently at German champions Wolfsburg, and Everton striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu.
Kenya levelled 12 minutes from full-time as they battled to finish third in Group B and clinch a place at the 2010 CAF African Cup of Nations only for Martins to score the winner on 83 minutes.
The Harambee Stars failed to clear a cross and the former Newcastle United striker spun before hooking the ball past goalkeeper Willis Ochieng to earn Nigeria a fourth FIFA World Cup appearance.
Tunisia, who held a two-point advantage over Nigeria for five rounds in Group B, were too cautious in Mozambique and an 83rd-minute Dario goal gave the Mambas a 1-0 victory.
Nigeria finished with 12 points, Tunisia 11, Mozambique seven and Kenya three, the Super Eagles becaming the fourth country to qualify from the African Zone after South Africa (hosts), Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
Back in Nigeria, there was joy unrestrained. In the south-western city of Abeokuta, Nigeria fan Rasheed Sule said: "I saw fans crying tears of joy after Nigeria qualified. I never thought Nigerians love their country this much. It was simply amazing."
Another fan, Ahmed Shugaba said thousands of Nigerians defied pouring rain in Benin City to celebrate the Eagles' qualification. "It was a miracle. We still don't believe we have some how qualified for the World Cup. Not even the heavy rain could stop our celebrations."
"This has shown that there is a lot of talent in the team and we will see this at next year's World Cup," said former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba. "Mozambique also deserve our gratitude. They are a decent side and they will do very well at the Nations Cup in Angola."
It has been a great day indeed. I am so happy. I hope they can now go and restructure the team before next year so that they will not go and disgrace us in SA.
Some video from the match:
I think this is the strongest African delegation to the World Cup ever.
Its South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote D'Ivoire and either Egypt or Algeria. Congrats to all the qualifiers. Now let the real work begin!!
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ReplyDeleteIt was painful watching our Super Eagles stutter and stumble through qualifying for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The pain is not ended though, unless Nigerian football administrators prepare well for both the African Nations Cup in Angola and the world Cup.
ReplyDeleteThere are those who believe that Shuaibu Amodu has taken the National side as far as he can, considering his unimpressive style of play. They reckon he should be dumped now and a new (probably foreign) coach be recruited. The other side of the divide does think that we should retain Amodu, and allow him continue. Afterall, he's qualified Nigeria for World Cup and African Nations Cup twice now, the first time he was shunted to one side, and someone else reaped the benefits of his efforts.
One way or the other though, we find ourselves in this quagmire because of years of failing to do the right thing. If we sack Amodu, and employ another coach there is no guarantees of success, and the easy 'cup - out' will be, 'he didn't have enough time to train the team'.Some would even say you don't change a winning team. On the other hand, all indications do show that if Amodu continues to handle the Super Eagle we are likely to perform woefully in both competitions, taking into consideration evident lack of tactical and technical depth by the coaching crew.
However you look at it, it's a no win situation, except of course we resort to our traditional way of doing things - RIDING OUR LUCK. Hopefully though, our luck won't run out anytime soon.
At least u watch am. Me I no get liver o. The only game I watched where they had a draw with Tunisia had me shaking my head. It was very traumatic, so I crossed them off my list of things to do. Let us hope soccer admins are listening and will do the right thing for ONCE (don't ask me what that is - I no go school!). The situation na what oyinbo dey call conundrum.
ReplyDeleteMake we dey siddon look, abi wetin we fit do na?
By the way Omaks, you are most welcome to my humble online abode. :)
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