16 November 2009
PATROTIC fervour broke out in different parts of the country as Nigeria snatched one of Africa's World Cup tickets from Tunisia on a dramatic last day of qualifying in Group B.
Obafemi Martins scored a brace as Nigeria claimed a 3-2 victory, while Tunisia slumped to a 0-1 defeat in Maputo, and Nigerians were quick to celebrate all the way from Abuja to Johannesburg.
Fans called into radio programmes with cracked voices to express their exhilaration at what many described as nothing short of a miracle.
"I am proudly Nigerian," Segun Akintunde of Lagos said immediately after the game. "Now I am going to get my green Nigeria jersey and wear it proudly for the next one week."
While Akintunde is proudly donning his jersey, Engineer Ifeanyi Nwokeabia was looking for where to purchase an authentic replica.
"Can someone tell me where to buy an original replica jersey? I need one now. The boys performed a miracle today and we must all be proud to be Nigerians."
The celebrations also spilled into social networking site Facebook, where the status messages of Nigerians reflected their pride in their country.
In South Africa, celebrations broke out on Biccard street in Johannesburg's central business district of Braamfontein.
Loud music, champagne-popping, flag waving of the green and white was accompanied by drumming and honking of car horns as cars poured into the street to celebrate the World Cup ticket.
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