By SEGUN ODEGBAMI
Amidst the cacophony of crisis in the country, amidst madness and the threats of more carnage, the greatest unifier in the country returns. On Friday night Nigerians will temporarily set aside all their differences and a divided country will unite around the country’s most powerful international brand as they return to the country and to long-awaited action.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in town. They play their very first competitive international football match in 2020 this weekend at the brand new Samuel Ogbemudia International Stadium, Benin City, in an African Cup of Nations qualifier.
This is very historic because no football match of this magnitude has ever been played in the ancient city.
For the first time also, as a result of the global pandemic, the match will be played in an almost empty stadium without the usual vociferous Nigerian football supporters. How will this affect the players and the match?
Since the National Stadium in Lagos and, later, the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja, became unavailable for any international football matches, the Eagles have become wanderers – a team without a regular home base.
They have moved from Port Harcourt, to Calabar, to Asaba, and Uyo, and have now landed in Benin. Could this be a disadvantage to a national team – not mastering a particular ground and not making it so familiar it becomes home?
The Super Eagles will line up against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, a team that has never really being a big ‘problem in the record of matches between them.
What should Nigerians expect from this first match of this new-look Eagles on home soil? Since domestic Nigerian football has not started in the country yet, the use of any domestic players is ruled out.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone maybe using a mostly home-based team of players.
All the star Parliamentarians shall be on parade on the Sports Parliament to look at all these variables in this crucial match. The show comes to you LIVE on NTA, Africa’s largest TV network this Thursday night from 10:30pm, with a repeat at 11:00 am on Friday.
Join us then.
All those in favour, say Aye.
The Ayes have it!!
•Chief Odegbami was a member of the then Green Eagles 1980 Nations Cup Team
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