In between World Cups
Deserted villages, smouldering buildings, burnt cars and bodies, kidnapped girls, grieving parents and international criticism of Nigeria’s handling of the terrorist group Boko Haram.
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It was against this backdrop that Nigeria participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and the extravaganza became an opportunity for the whole nation to secure some well-earned relief from the monotony of bad news.
President Goodluck Jonathan mandated Senator David Mark to lead a high-powered federal government delegation, which included other senators, ministers, governors as well as the Commissioner of Police, Kola Sodipo, to Brazil.
Group matches
Fans held their breath when Nigeria drew against Iran in her first match. They maintained a cautious optimism when the Super Green Eagles beat Bosnia-Herzegovina, and burst into loud cheers when Captain Joseph Yobo and his team made it to the knockout phase, in spite of losing to Argentina.
The second round
Finally, the nation had something to cheer about.
However, when players went on strike over unpaid bonuses, eyebrows creased once more. Playing against France was quite daunting; the last thing Nigeria needed was a player revolt.
When the matter was successfully resolved, fans heaved a collective sigh of relief, and the goodwill intensified.
"I know that we can beat France," said Nwanko Kanu, former Super Eagles captain who also played for Arsenal and Inter, in an interview with dailynewswatch.com. "If we play the way the Eagles did against Argentina - lay back, defend and attack on the break - we will beat them.”
"We will be ready for the battle and I know that at the end of the day, Nigeria will triumph."
Defeat to France
When Nigeria eventually lost to France, all the old doubts returned with renewed ferocity. A disappointed nation, desperate for scapegoats to appease its sense of loss, lunged at what she could.
Captain Joseph Yobo was blamed for letting the squad down with an own goal, and coach Stephen Keshi accused the referee of bias. Keshi resigned his position and Yobo retired from international soccer.
After a court sacked the Nigerian Football Federation(NFF)’s executive committee, FIFA responded by suspending the country from international competition, giving authorities the deadline of July 15 to reinstate the Aminu Maigari-led board of the NFF or face an indefinite ban.
Chairman of the Delta State Football Association, Mr Pinnick Amaju, asked President Jonathan to intervene to solve the problem, adding, “We must think of the players and the youth, who are the ones that will suffer if this ban is not lifted ... The ban will affect our girls who are supposed to play in the Women’s World Cup next month. This is not good for these players who depend on football to survive.”
Mr Amaju’s appeal contained what might just be the respite the country has been searching for: an impressive national performance at a major international event.
Women’s World Cup
The men’s performance at the World Cup was not able to lift the gloom brought on by Boko Haram’s terrorist activities. However, the under-20 Falconets have traditionally done better at the World Cup than their male counterparts with four quarter-final berths and a runner-up finish in 2010, and just might produce the kind of results which would allow the citizens to forget their troubles and make merry, if only for a brief moment.
Faced with the second embarrassment of a potential FIFA ban, coming on the heels of a poor showing at the World Cup, not to mention the possible squandering of another major national opportunity, the government backed down, FIFA lifted its ban and now the Falconets have a chance to make Nigeria proud.
The nation waits with baited breath again.