I Still Believe We Can Win....Convincingly

In anticipation of Nigeria's next match, the mood amongst most Nigerians is that of uncertainty!

I have spoken with many people; family members, friends and acquaintances about what might happen tomorrow as Nigeria faces South Korea in a match that determines whether the team goes home or not.

It seems to me that the uncertainty is accompanied by a lack of faith in a positive outcome, which is rooted in the way we have played thus far. How can I fault anyone for thinking that way since one only has to examine the team's first two matches before pessimism begins to take over.

Maybe it is simply a way of tempering expectations from a team that has disappointed many Nigerians up to this point. One thing I know for sure is that it is partially based on the team we are facing.

The South Koreans are perceived to be less-skilled in comparison to other teams in their group but they counter this supposed deficiency with their discipline on both ends of the pitch. They move cohesively, especially when attacking and utilize their speed to offset most good defenses. I have watched some replays of their previous matches and they don't seem to quit on any play. They pressed Argentina even when they were down three goals to nil.

I look at these variables and wonder if a team that makes lazy passes and often plays uninspired will have what it takes to pull off a much needed 3-0 victory. I look at South Korea and wonder about the conditioning of the Super Eagles? Is this team built to last 90 minutes of the highest and most scrutinized level of football?

These questions will be answered tomorrow, but for now, I say we should believe we can win convincingly. I am not about to concede a match before the match even begins.

Most Nigerians know what "1989" means in Nigeria's football history. It was the U-21 world cup in Saudi Arabia. We were down 4-0 in the second half and managed to even things up before eventually winning the match.

One reason I mentioned this feat is because I remember exactly where I was when this happened. This might be why I am such an optimist. I remember that my brother and I were listening to the match on the radio. Although our team was down four goals, my brother and I kept listening. In retrospect, I think we felt deep down that the improbable was possible. When Nduka Ugbade scored the tying goal, we heard what sounded like an entire nation's cheer and excitement from all the surrounding neighborhoods.

This leads me to the other reason I referenced this great comeback. No matter how long ago this feat was, it still shows what Nigerian football pedigree is. The gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics is another example of this.

We are a nation that loves football and we show it passionately either in support or in criticism of our team. We have experienced greatness in football and I do not see a reason why this version of the Super Eagles can not overachieve from henceforth.

Come tomorrow, I am certain that all the uncertainties that have been expressed will be replaced by excitement and optimism. I just wish the Super Eagles players could read this because it will show them that although I am one man, I believe I stand in proxy for every Nigerian when I say: I believe in a convincing victory for our Super Eagles!

Sportacularly Yours,


The Vicarious Athlete

Super Disappointment!

I am very very disappointed for many reasons. Anger, embarrassment and disgust are flowing through me right now.

Peter Odemwingie should not have been taken out of the match at such an early stage. Makes me wonder what Nigeria coach, Lars Lagerback was thinking there. This really upset me because I felt Odemwingie was the type of player that never quits and could impact the team with his skill and energy on offense.

Sani Kaita's stupid act really cost us. I watched the match downtown Ottawa on Elgin street with a number of fellow Nigerians. We argued relentlessly for the rest of the match whether his actions warranted a red card and a send off. My stance on this is that he should have been given a yellow card since his foot barely grazed the Greek player. My friends argued that he got the red card because of intent. They stated that it did not matter if the player did not get hurt. Personally, I think that the ref overreacted. This will be heavily debated for a long time by all Super Eagle fans.

After the red card, Nigeria played horribly. We became extremely passive and looked disinterested in mounting an attack. We settled back and waited for the Greek team to press us and dissect our defense.

Speaking of our defense. What is going on here? I thought the Argentina match was an exception because I figured it was the first game and we were timid. In this match, we displayed the same lackadaisical effort with our defensive scheme and energy.

One thing that I have noticed in both matches is that the players are often waiting for the ball to come to them. Opportunities to score are quelled easily by the opposing defenders by simply jumping in front of lazy passes. Maybe it is because of of the overall team conditioning or maybe it is because we just do not have the desire to dominate a match in which I personally thought we were favored to win. From my non-pundit perspective, I would say that it looks like we get too tired in the second half.

Where would we be without our goalie, Vincent Enyeama. He has single-handedly kept us in both matches and prevent us from looking much worse. This actually infuriates me even more because it forces me to think of what things might be like if we actually played up to our potential. A disciplined and aggressive team with a goalie like that would be undefeated right now.

Our chances for advancing are slim but they are still there. I am an optimist by nature and thus think that we can still make it to the next round. For this to happen, we need to be way more disciplined and energetic against South Korea. We will also need a lot of luck. Argentina must win and keep Greece of the score sheet and we have to beat South Korea by at least three goals without conceding any.

I am disappointed but still very optimistic in our chances. I believe we can do it. Just look at the way we made it into the world cup. It is possible!

Sportacularly yours,


The Vicarious Athlete

Super Eagles: Approach Greece with Caution!

My older sister called me on June 12th; merely minutes before the match between Nigeria and Argentina started. She told me she did not sleep well the night before because she was really excited and nervous.

My younger sister was sending PIN after PIN to my BlackBerry - she kept telling me if Nigeria plays poorly and were to lose she would be very upset.

I found myself relatively calm leading up to the match and felt very strong about our chances of securing a tie or winning the match. Neither of these premonitions came to pass since the outcome was a loss; a loss in a match in which my biased perspective unabashedly declares that we outplayed them and should have taken advantage of our opportunities. Yes, I am going to ignore the shots on goal which favored Argentina 20-9. Like I said, I am biased!

The disappointment of the loss to Argentina is still weighing heavily on my mind as Nigeria faces Greece. Although many of us are anticipating a victory - this is partially based on how sluggish the Greek team looked when they lost to South Korea - the fact still remains that talent and being expected to dominate and win does not necessarily result in that outcome. Switzerland proved this point by handing Spain a shocking loss.

With this in mind I will watch the match with measured confidence. Without players like John Obi Mikel and Obafemi Martins, the Super Eagles will have to maintain a high level of focus for every match. The trend so far in the early stage of this World Cup is that any team not named Germany needs to play their optimal best. One cannot even proclaim Germany to be a favorite yet because they simply did what Spain, Brazil and Portugal could not do: win or win convincingly.

I look for Nigeria to play better and win the match against Greece but it will not be easy. The Greek team was embarrassed by their loss to South Korea and will come out on Thursday with more fire under their boots.

In the spirit of the World Cup tournament, I say good luck to both sides but I will toss a horse shoe and a couple of four leaf clovers on the Super Eagles side.

Sportcularly yours,


The Vicarious Athlete

2010 World Cup in South Africa: Pride Personified!

***As you read this, please be cognizant that this is not a knock on any other sport or sporting event. Rather, it is simply a celebration......***

The beautiful game! A moniker that befits a game that touches the soul and caresses ones national pride. The game unites countrymen and women alike; and brings together different nationalities to display a higher level of tolerance and acceptance of each other. On the pitch, respect is earned and given. Off the pitch, a euphoric sense of togetherness is fostered. One can should not see as merely a form of entertainment because it goes beyond just that. Although it is simply just a sporting event, it has managed to transcend beyond the realm of sports. It embodies qualities that we all strive to master in our daily undertakings.

*It begins with patience: Imagine the concept of going backwards in order to go forward. Imagine taking twenty minutes just to set up a single play that results in a goal. I have heard fans of other sports say that the game is boring because a match can often result in a 1-0 outcome. The beauty of the game lies in the actions and counter-actions that the players patiently set up in order to reach that sole moment of glory. Victory! French writer, Alexandre Dumas Pere best sums up what patience is. He wrote: "All human wisdom is summed up in two words - wait and hope"

*It continues with dedication/hard work: One must realize that ninety per cent of soccer players play the entire game; constantly moving at minimal or full speed. Teams are allowed six substitutions but most only use an average of three. It takes a high level of dedication and hard work to reach a level of fitness unlike most other athletes. Those who reach the highest level of their sport have sacrificed a lot of blood and sweat to get there. Soccer players in the world cup have sacrificed a bit more. A lot of them play all year round. In this case, most go from finishing up playing in their respective leagues around the world and go directly into playing for their nations in friendlies and eventually in the World Cup. Hard work, dedication and sacrifice epitomizes the make up of the average professional soccer player.

*It "caps" it off with the concept of teamwork/cooperativeness: Every sport requires teamwork but none relies on it as heavily as soccer does. Superstars dominate sports like basketball, football, hockey and baseball. A player like Kobe Bryant or LeBron James can carry a team. Quaterbacks like Tom Brady and Drew Brees are signal callers that can solely increase the chances of a teams success. I think you get the point here but one must be clear in stating that teamwork is an absolute commodity for every sport. Although soccer might have great players like Messi, Ballack, Essien and Drogba etc, the reliance on a full team effort is more evident in the sport. A great striker, more often than not, relies on a pass that sets him up the goal. Whether it is a 3-5-2, 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 system of play, the players move in a strategic unison for the right moment to strike and score.

Generally, one can find these qualities in every sport but slightly higher doses are found in soccer.

This world cup features the most representation from African nations than ever before. All in all there are six African nations competing. History has already been made when South Africa was selected to be the host nation but the chances of further history being made is real. The hope is that one of these African nations will go further than any one of them has ever gone before. Every single person that is African or of African decent are either rooting for their respective countries or any - and all - African countries to do well.

It is only twenty four hours to go before the greatest sporting tournament in the world begins. If you're like me and you've been watching the World Cup since you were ten years old; the next month will bring out the inner child and super fan in you. You will not only have pride in your country or your team of choice but you will also enjoy the spirit of the tournament.

This years tournament is an extra special one because of the host nation. I am extremely proud because I feel every African nation is hosting and I'm confident that South Africa will do the rest of the continent proud, as the proxy host. Good luck to all the nations involved, but special good fortunes goes out to all the African nations that have their team represented.

SOUTH AFRICA, NIGERIA, ALGERIA, GHANA, CAMEROON & COTE D'IVOIRE.
























Enjoy the beautiful game!

Sportacularly yours,


The Vicarious Athlete