19 Aug 2009 |
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On September the 6th 2009 Nigeria will arguably play her most important match in the last decade, when she hosts the Carthage Eagles in the crucial World Cup Qualification game to determine control Africa’s Group B, and more than likely assure the winner a place in the 2010 World cup. After a luke warm encounter in Rades earlier on this year that ended in a goal less draw , one can only anticipate and beg for a real fire cracker of a game. And from the muted bark coming from both camps….it seems we will be treated to one. The dilapidated Tunisian team from months ago have replenished their ranks of their injured and while confidently aiming for 3 points, will happily leave Abuja with a draw. They are betting that their mental discipline and unquestionable team chemistry will not bend on match day despite the obvious athletic superiority of the Nigerian team, and give them the edge.
And who can blame them? After all this is a strategy that has worked for them in the past. I say this because before the debacle that was the 2000 ANC final during which Nigeria was robbed; the last true defeat in Surulere before our circa 22 year home unbeaten streak was handed to us by Tunisia. Add to the fray the fact that Nigeria’s Coach has been severely criticized about his teams inconsistency up front -despite not conceding a goal by a non Nigerian in almost 2 years defensively -, and that the recent crop of Super Eagles have failed to deliver in “do or die games” and we certainly see a table set for major drama. As if that was not enough The Nigerian Village Square© , in conjunction with Cyber Eagles © and 2drama Sports © are proud to present a D day Podcast of the match featuring non other than the famous Godwin Odiye who as we all remember, scored the unfortunate own goal that kept Nigeria from her first appearance in the World Cup that sad day in 1978. Just in case you have forgotten may I quote myself from “The Last Man Standing “ "Young in his career Odiye had mastered that art of heading the ball back wards. Just like the German ace defender Manfred Kaltz, he did it tons of times with Chukwu and tons more with Okala. Using peripheral vision that would have made any Secret Service man on any force in the world envious he would often spot a team member, calculate his positioning and then pass them the ball. Playing with Odiye was never boring and one learned never to keep their eyes off him. Till that fateful day, the passes had been brilliant and as accurate as a Swiss watch in the rain, making many a fan believe that he had either eyes in the back of his head or was telepathically linked to both Chukwu and Okala. It was no different a pass except that it had so much at stake and that it did...not work. Did he establish eye contact with Okala briefly? Why did Okala have to move? Could he have stretched millimeters further had he had okra for lunch as opposed to his favorite and regular "bread and tea"? I don't know so abeg don't ask me. Fact to the matter is That singular event destroyed an up till then sterling reputation just like the first Monsoon floods wash away loose soil with an early arrival, degrading this star to become arguably Nigeria's most notorious sports goat. Odiye for the first time in more that 30 years will speak about that in famous goal, reveal some amazing new information as well as chew the fat on the state of Nigerian Football past and present. Please get your chin-chin, pop corn and pepper soup ready. Its going to be a dandy.
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