Will God be Nigerian as he was in 1994?

As I was reading a collection of poetry titled In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: Africa Americans Celebrating Fathers, I came across a very interesting saying from the Ashanti people of Ghana; “...When you follow in the path of your father (and elders), you learn to walk like him (them)...”

After digesting these sweet, weighty, but informative words, I pondered over Nigeria’s prowess in not only African football, but also the world.

Their performance and chances, if any, in the ongoing World Cup in Brazil have not been most encouraging; not what many fans had expected of the Africa champions.

But just before I wrote them off in their quest to qualify for the per-quarterfinals in Group F, I vividly remembered that memorable outing in the 1994 World CUP in USA. Boy, did these Nigerians play or what!

Making their debut to the world’s most exciting sporting extravaganza, few could have vouched for the Africans to do wonders. Grouped against Bulgaria, Argentina and Greece, honestly, we gave them few chances of advancing.

So, as the youngsters lined up against Bulgaria for their first ever World Cup match, we all held our breath and said quick prayers for our ‘brothers’.

Our fear wasn’t actually that they’d lose the match, but our greatest apprehension was that Peter Rufai, their first-choice goalkeeper, would collect several balls behind his net; in other words, they’d lose like Harambee Stars did against Ghana (13-2) sometime in 1965.

God must have been Nigerian that day though. After just 20 minutes, the boys, most of them in their 20s, (Jay Jay Okocha was 20, Sunday Oliseh, 19, Victor Ikpeba about 21…), did the unthinkable; near sacrilege.

The late Rashidi Yekini thundered home his country’s first World Cup goal and the celebration that followed thereafter, was breathtaking.

Daddy’s Footsteps

He ran like a mad man towards the already bulging net, held it with both hands, shut his eyes, as he screamed with joy. So did we.

Oh my; it was a spectacle to behold. Two more followed for an unforgettable 3-0 final score. Though they lost 1-2 to Argentina in their other group match, they bounced back with a 2-0 winner against Greece.

And against anyone’s expectations, they topped their group, yes, you read right. They relegated the much-fancied Argentina to second position, against any African’s expectations!

We all cared less what would happen thereafter. Though I was too young to toast to a cold glass of wine (I can always do it in retrospect), I surely liked the feeling.

Even though they were stunned by Roberto Baggio’s double in their second-round match against Italy, they had done their bit. We were all proud of them and they were truly, African stars.

Like they did in 1994, Nigeria arrived at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil as African champions, and as they did in the USA, they will be looking to go beyond the group stages.

Which brings me back to my opening poem, when you follow in the path of your father (and elders), you learn to walk like him (them)... just as big brothers did in that 1994 outing, and so will they do it in Brazil.

Just use the same template against Argentina and we will all be rejoicing after 90 minutes.