“A REASON TO BELIEVE AGAIN” (the AFCON story)…

BEFORE THE COMPETITION.

Prior to the AFCON 2013 Showdown, the “Super Eagles” of Nigeria were in no way the favorites (per say) to win Africa’s most coveted price in terms of National team football. Not with the presence of the Ghanaian team, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and (now) ex-defending champions Zambia. We shouldn’t forget that the Nigerian team failed to qualify for the last edition of the cup which made the Nigerian people lose hope, and believe in the team. After three bronze medals, a sink in the FIFA international rankings and an absence from the AFCON 2012, they seemed to be on their own. They even had a pet name “Super Chickens”. Things got worse as Stephen Keshi took the reins as the Coach after an unsuccessful reign of Samson Siasia. He was hugely criticized for dropping the likes of Taye Taiwo, Obafemi Martins as well as Osaze Odemwinge but he gamble paid off in the end. Starting preparations a little over two months before the completion didn’t help matters. Nigerians watched in mockery, waiting for magic to get them the cup as they felt the preparation wasn’t enough. Yes that magic happened.

DURING THE COMPETITION.

The champions had a slow start in the completion drawing their first two games. The hate grew, support dropped, curses were rained, but they were not moved. Not even when they were dubbed “Draw Soup” they went on to prove that they are the bone, not the soup. The first win didn’t bring back so much support as it was tagged as a lucky win since they won with two penalties but that was just the beginning. They came out strong, firm and auspicious from the group stage but the Nigerian people wouldn’t budge. They shoved their support in their pockets folded their arms and hardly looked in their direction. Then came the game against the Ivory Coast. This was indeed an ice breaker or more of “The” ice breaker. Some called it “The Final” as two of the continents biggest teams in terms of the caliber of players and experience as well as pedigree slogged it out for a place in the semi’s. A slow and steady but firm performance clinched them the victory in normal time not even extra time and the nation was impressed. People dropped their folded hands and began to look at their direction again, not fully, buy full of suprise as the Nigerian team overcame the obstacle on their way to the final in the 2006 edition and the semifinal in the 2013 edition. They dropped the draw soup and then picked up “Eagles”. It looked like something good was to come out of them so they wanted to see.

THE MALI GAME.

This was the last hurdle on their part to the final which had eluded this team since the dawn of this new century. Support increased on a slow pace, the government started making promises, people started praying, viewing centers started having more customers even though one could hardly see people putting on the Green and White jersey of the “Eagles”. A spectacular performance saw them triumph and cruise into the final with four goals to one. A brilliant performance that could not but restore the name they have always had but deprived of by both the supporters and the media. They were now “Super Eagles”. It wasn’t over yet as fingers were crossed as Nigerians watched the second semi-final game (Ghana vs Burkina Faso) hoping and praying for the latter to upset the dreams of the former as they thought it would be easier to beat Burkina Faso than Ghana. God was watching.

It so happened that he did answer and we got a date with Burkina Faso in the final.

THE FINAL.

It was a day which was indeed long awaited by Nigerians and even as they were in church (for those who went) they took time out to pray for Nigeria, for divine intervention in the game. Tension grew as the closing ceremony came to an end and it was time for the game. Lots of predictions, high hopes, fully packed viewing centers, sold out bars and all eyes on the 11 men who stood in the nations colors and sang the National anthem out in the battlefield, out to do their country proud. The fully packed stadium was green and white all through. One would ask if it was South Africa or Nigeria. Nigerians dropped aside ethnic differences, hate, quarrels, and put on the garment of love and support siting side by side with one another regardless of background, state of origin, tribe, religion and joined forces to see the “Super Eagles” emerge victorious. Even the Boko Haram guys took a time out of their bombings to support the team. It was indeed a “Reason to believe again”, in the “Super Eagles”, in one another and in our great country Nigeria. Even PHCN made sure we had light. (Funny right?). 90mins later it was all over and yes the gold came our way. Gunshots in the air went on endlessly, fireworks lighted up the sky, bottles were broken, beer was downed, bars were seeing on of their greatest turnovers ever, high end Nigerian pop music blasted everywhere as people took to the streets celebrating the “Super Eagles” for bringing the cup home again.

It was indeed a night that would stay fresh in the heart of all those who experienced the magical moment, tasted the well-deserved win, basked in the euphoria of the moment, drank down the tension and savored the victory. It was that moment when the “Super Eagles” of Nigeria brought home the AFCON CUP OF NATIONS back home after a 19year long wait. (A child was conceived, born, and now has beards)…

By Nado

Twitter: @nado1000

FB: Nado Writes…