As the Super Eagles contest with Ethiopia in the first
leg of final African qualifying phase to the 2014 World, OLAWALE AJIMOTOKAN plays down the threat of the opposition and itemizes the grounds why Nigeria must be on the plane to Brazil next year Centennial Celebration Next year will mark the 100th year anniversary of Nigeria since the North and South Protectorates were amalgamated by the British in 1914. The centenary is a huge attainment in Nigeria’s odyssey towards nationhood. The events will leave a lasting memory as Nigeria plans to roll out the drums and spare no costs in celebration. But wait for a minute, the anniversary will be reduced to a mere sound bite and the entire efforts a waste of time if the Super Eagles cannot gain a berth to Brazil 2014. We do not want anything to blight the celebration. For those who know, a place in the final round of the FIFA World Cup will ginger the mood and help in masking the surfeit of challenges on the domestic front. Nigeria is Africa’s Champions The Super Eagles of Nigeria are the kings of Africa. And echoing this sentiment, it will be a mark of honour for Africa to present the current holders of the Africa Cup of Nations as one of the countries to represent it at the FIFA World Cup, which in reality, is a party only reserved for nations with sterling football reputation. Africa's Biggest Nation Though size does not translate into might, but in Nigeria situation, this should confer an advantage as it is absolutely essential that the Super Eagles should earn a slot for FIFA World Cup. It does not count for nothing that Nigeria is Africa's biggest nation in terms of number in addition to having the
second biggest GDP in Africa. It is said that one out every five African is a Nigeria while the population of Nigeria constitutes almost two- third of the entire West Africa. Fifth World Appearance Nigeria has to improve on the number of its World Cup appearances by going to next year’s finals. The Super Eagles will be featuring in five all time appearances at the tournament if they eliminate Ethiopia over two legs. National pride also matters in this case, as we will rank next to Cameroon as Africa’s nation with most appearances at the World Cup, provided the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia do not cage Cameroon in one of the other Africa elimination matches. World Cup of Brazil The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be a ‘special edition’ given that it is billed for Brazil, a country which has singularly brought glamour to the game football considering the success of its national team and the sheer artistry of some of its individual players.
As a nation, our national pride is at stake and we would insist that our flag is among the 36 flags that will be hoisted in Brazilian sky in the manner we did when the Super Eagles qualified for South Africa 2010, when the first FIFA World Cup was held on African soils. Stephen Keshi Factor Our football history will be enriched if the Super Eagles reach the 2014 World Cup finals. The central theme of that piece of history will be the national coach of Nigeria, Stephen Keshi who will be bidding to become the first individual to lead Nigeria to two FIFA World Cup finals, as a player and as a coach. On October 8, 1993, Keshi led the Eagles in breaking the World Cup jinx when Nigeria played a 1-1 draw with Algeria in Algiers to
qualify for USA ‘94. He will rewrite the history again if Nigeria pulls a fast one on Ethiopia. Cultural Ties with Brazil Nigeria may not be a Lusophone (Portuguese speaking) country, but the ties with Brazil are as strong, if not stronger than other African countries.
In a cultural sense, some of the native blacks in Brazil were descendants of slaves taken from the area that presently constitutes south western Nigeria and some parts of Niger Delta. The so strong is the influence that some Brazilian lifestyles,
food, religions and names still underline the link with Nigeria. Some Brazilians in Salvador, Bahia still worship Orixa (Orisha) Sango and Yemanja (Yemoja, the goddess of river). Their dressing is very alike to the way Nigerians dress, while acaraje, a culinary delight in Brazil is just the same thing as Akara, (kose) a delicacy eaten in almost all parts Nigeria. The Eagles’ qualification will strengthen the bond which will be cemented if Nigeria is drawn to play one of its matches in north eastern city of Salvador. A very Easy Opposition This is no disrespect to Ethiopia, we are just happy to be handed the Walya Antelopes in the play off series that will produce the five nations that will represent Africa at the World Cup finals next year. Ethiopia is the weakest of all the five unseeded teams that were drawn against other teams, including Nigeria with better antecedents from Pot 1. We had the luck of the draw when we avoided Egypt, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Cameroon at the draw held in September. We also have the advantage of playing the reverse fixture at home. This is football, not marathon or steeplechase where Ethiopia is a world beater. Samba Vs Gbedu The World Cup is a platform for Nigeria to offer the world an alternative to Brazilian highly acclaimed Samba rhythm, by exporting our own blend of Gbedu and talking drum to titillate the Brazilians at the football festival. Carnival feel is not the exclusive reserve of Brazilians. Recall that at USA ’94, Nigerian fans were given an award by FIFA as the most entertaining fans. Brazil, here we come as Dr Rafiu Ladipo and the national supporters club is set to sizzle and show and the world Nigeria’s undiluted blend of entertainment. Brazilians Want Nigeria Sentiments apart, ask the Brazilian public to name which African teams in order of preference that they want to see at the World Cup- Nigeria will be the first on the top of the list. The Super Eagles are not just regarded as the ‘Brazil of Africa ‘for nothing as we are the only nation in Africa that epitomizes what ‘the beautiful game’ symbolizes. We still remember how Nwankwo Kanu’s magical implosion caused the entire Brazil discomfit at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Story! All ten countries have reasons to be in Brazil next year. If the SE like, make them no qualify, na dem sabi.