15 November 2009
Lagos — It was celebration galore from every nook and cranny of the country yesterday and great relief for players and Nigerians at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya when the Super Eagles survived a huge scare from the Harambee Stars to secure the sole Group B ticket to the next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.
This came on the heels of a pass mark given the country by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) over what it called Nigeria's successful hosting of the U1-7 Championship, Nigeria 2009, which ends today
The Nigerians, who received a huge helping hand from Mozambique, who beat group leaders Tunisia 1-0 in Maputo, were overwhelmed with joy when the Seychelles referee signaled the end of the match.
For the players, their joy knew no bounds as they hugged and danced after the game clearly delighted that they had pulled the chestnut out of the fire by not only coming behind to win but also ensuring that they atoned for the country's missing out of the last finals in Germany.
"Its God's work," said a clearly overwhelmed Nwankwo Kanu, while Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who scored the second goal, praised the collective effort of his team mates in delivering the goods for the country.
"I want to give praise to God and my fellow players for making this happen. It is a collective effort not just we, the goal scorers, but every player because without them we would not have been able to score on our own."
John Obi Mikel, who perhaps played his best match for the Eagles since his national team debut at the 2006 Nations Cup finals in Egypt, said he was overwhelmed and very delighted to have been part of history.
"We never gave up even though it appeared we had lost it when we drew against Tunisia in Abuja. We were determined to make Nigerians happy by being part of the World Cup," said Mikel, who can now join two of his Chelsea team mates, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, in planning for South Africa 2010.
And the Eagles had every reason to be over the moon as they did not have it easy. All talk about the Kenyans making it easy for the Super Eagles quickly went up in smoke as the home side took the battle to their more illustrious foes clearly determined to compensate themselves for losing out on South Africa 2010 by securing a ticket to next January's African Cup of Nations, which a win over the Nigerians would have given them.
Dennis Oliech put Kenya ahead in the 16th minute when he beat goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, with a low shot. Martins tied it in the 62nd off a pass from Peter Odemwingie, and Nigeria went ahead three minutes later when Aiyegbeni Yakubu hit a post and converted the rebound.
Unhappy Kenyan fans then forced a halt to the game when they began throwing plastic bottles onto the pitch but the game resumed as soon as the pitch was cleared of debris.
However, Nigerian fans in the lower part of the stands were not as fortunate as missiles continued to rain down on them from the Kenyans seated in the higher sections.
Allan Wetende drew the Stars level again when he scored off a header in the 79th, to further pile more misery on Nigerian fans, who were also frantically calling home in order to keep abreast of unfolding developments in Maputo.
As at that time, the scores between the Black Mambas and the Carthage Eagles was goalless, which was good news because it meant Nigeria was in the frame for the World Cup ticket.
But Wetende's strike had changed the equation and meant the Eagles were out unless they found a winning goal.
For many fans, it appeared to be déjà vu as they painfully remembered what happened in Abuja when Tunisia also struck a late equalizer to deny the Eagles victory.
However, this time around, Martins had other ideas and flung himself at the ball to slot home again in the 83rd minute to silence the home fans that had at that stage started taunting Nigerian fans by singing "no World Cup for Nigeria, no World Cup for Nigeria!"
In fact, many of them did not even see Martins' back breaker because they were concentrating on Nigerian fans rather than the action on the field of play.
However, although the overall performance of the Eagles left much to be desired, former international and member of the Presidential Task Force on South Africa 2010, John Fashanu, was quick to point out that one of the hallmarks of a good side, was its ability to still secure a victory even when not playing particularly well.
Millions of Nigerians will no doubt share the former Wimbledon striker's opinion especially as it means they will now be part of next summer's football fiesta.
And for President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, the result also clearly vindicates his decision to set up a task force to save the nation's South Africa 2010 dreams, even though they were often at logger heads with the hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The victory means that the Eagles have now qualified for four World Cup finals following their appearances at USA'94 (which was their debut), France'98 and Korea/Japan 2002.
Meanwhile, unlike in the past when they would have boarded flights out of the country as quickly as possible, Super Eagles players have agreed to be present at this evening's final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in order to lend their support to the Golden Eaglets' quest to retain the trophy they won at South Korea 2007.
Speaking after the match, a number of them promised to do this as a way of ensuring that the weekend will go down in history as the time Nigeria had cause to celebrate two major landmarks - qualification for the World Cup and victory at the FIFA U-17 tournament.
At Maputo, Dario scored in the 83rd minute as Mozambique thwarted Tunisia and sent the Carthage Eagles to their first loss in qualifying since their opener in June 2008. Tunisia has appeared in four World Cups, including the last three.
The win means the Mambas have qualified for the Nations Cup finals taking place in Angola for the first time in 20 years.
Meanwhile, President of FIFA, Mr. Sepp Blatter, said at a press conference yesterday, that: "We have seen tremendous football here in Nigeria. There were many problems before the tournament but once it kicked off everything changed. The fans have also created a nice atmosphere we can be proud of.
"It is a success for Africa that Egypt hosted a successful under-20 and now Nigeria with an under-17 success too. It is not about me, FIFA is not Sepp Blatter, I am one individual and together I think FIFA is happy for Nigeria's success and we hope Africa will also leave an everlasting legacy after South Africa 2010.
"The youth here will be happy because it is their event and the fact that some favourites are gone now is an indication that the development FIFA wanted is happening.
On the controversy that had dogged the tournament over some players suspected to be over aged, the FIFA boss said: "We have a reliable medical team and together we are happy with the work they are doing so far.
"The tournament will do well without many people making Africa or Nigeria look bad because of rumours over age cheat. Why only Nigeria and not the other countries. Please, these are kids let us encourage them.
Blatter said the best teams got to the finals and expressed happiness with the quality of play so far displayed.
Also speaking, the FIFA Vice President, Jack Warner said its been a great competition so far as the great teams made it to the finals. "I'll be leaving Nigeria a happy man as Chairman of the Organising Committee of this championship. One lesson I have learnt in this competition is to keep the faith. From the first day the Nigerian team were booed and fans even walked out of them to date, today they are in the finals. It's a big lesson to keep faith".
Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission, Mr. Sani Ndanusa, said that the commendations from both Blatter and the FIFA Vice-President, Mr. Jack Warner, were quite encouraging to the country. "It was a journey that started a year ago but I am happy that it is ending well tomorrow (today).
Among notable Nigerians that expressed joy over yesterday's victory of the Super Eagles in Kenya, was the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark.
Mark told Airport correspondents that the victory was well deserved.
"We have to support the Eaglets to win the final of the soccer tournament tomorrow. Even the Eagles need our support to win the 2010 world cup tournament."
Also speaking, the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Moshe Ram, congratulated the Supper Eagles for qualifying for the World Cup, noting that their victory in the march would put the pilgrims in good mood as they travel to the holy land to seek the face of God.
Thousands of soccer-loving Nigerians yesterday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital; poured unto streets to celebrate Nigeria's qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The celebrants, made up of mostly youth, poured into the streets from major viewing centres across the town to show their joy at what they earlier said was an impossible mission.
Similarly, Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has congratulated Nigerians on the qualification of the Super Eagles for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa .
A statement by Uduaghan's Press Secretary, Felix Ofou, said the qualification of the country's senior national team for the 2010 World Cup was evidence of God's love and an answer to prayers by the citizenry.
His Ekiti State counterpart, Mr. Segun Oni, described Nigeria's qualification for next year's World Cup holding in South Africa as the work of God, saying; "Truly, the God of soccer is a Nigerian."
Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, expressed happiness over the victory and urged more work on the part of the team and its handlers so that the country could excel at the tournament next year
Nigerians in South Africa have also expressed joy over the qualification of the Super Eagles to the tournament.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Harry Tonye, who was at the Sandton Sports Club in Johannesburg for a friendly tennis match, was ecstatic as the news came of Nigeria's victory and Tunisia's slip.
From the corporate world, Tom Tom, the Official Candy of the Nigerian national football teams, has congratulated the Super Eagles for picking the African Group B ticket to the 2010 FIFA World Cup holding in South Africa.
From Tunde Sulaiman in Nairobi, Kenya, Juliana Taiwo in Abuja, Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Imam Imam in Gusau
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sheer MIRACLE. Nigeria is a unique nation which has a place in God's heart and plan. Let us, Nigerians, value ourselves better and trust God to sort-out other areas of problems. It's not been easy, but with God all things ( power problems, unemployment, corruption/ Good Governance, smooth election process, kidnappings, robberies) are possible. Let our faith in God and our country remain unwavering. Kennedy Ogba Member Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Nigeria