WE CAN'T WAIT

Living up to expectations could really be tough but Nigerians where not ready to be pessimistic as we were sure of a ticket to South Africa 2010 even though we hadn’t played Tunisians yet. As we welcomed them to Abuja on the faithful September 6th of 2009, a positive result should have been the only result. A draw would do only the Tunisians good as they led the group standings with 2 points ahead of us(Nigeria), we only expected and prayed for a win(was that too much from us). The gates were opened early enough o accommodate the fans who flooded the stadium and paid a paltry sum of 300naira. At least the fee was paltry before 90minutes but i guess the inflation rate after 90minutes was 300%.

The most common satellite in Nigeria being HITV and DSTV made us accustomed to the MTN advert for the world cup, “WE CAN'T WAIT”. Who remembers the one where the Swedish fans arrived and on match day one of them was on a date with a girl who boarded same bus with him. “Man WE CAN'T WAIT" for the world cup so i can go and get my own South African girl. As expected after the match “WE CAN WAIT”. So I started to ask questions like when did we start waiting and many others so i choose to say our wait started ...oops I still can’t say. Let us recount how we waited on that faithful day.

“WE CAN'T WAIT” for the 6th ...oops, here it was. “WE CAN'T WAIT” for the kickoff ...oops, it started at exactly 4pm local time. “WE CAN'T WAIT” for the goal ...23minutes was all we need for our wish to be granted by Odemwinge. What barely 90seconds and scores are levelled, “WE CAN'T WAIT” for the second goal. Tunisian based eagle came off the bench and scored the long awaited goal (what do you think we were waiting for now). “WE CAN'T WAIT” for the world cup (eyes straight to the world even though we had two outstanding matches). In what was a reversal of fortune, with three minutes left on the clock the Tunisians brought us back to earth with a well taken goal (now we had many things to wait for).

What more can I say but “WE CAN'T WAIT”. What are we waiting for now anyway? Could it be a Tunisian loss or draw and a corresponding Nigerian victory in her remaining double fixtures or maybe the world cup in 2014???? What are you waiting for????

This little piece is dedicated to whatever we are waiting for

For Tunisia’ slumber we now wait

Leaving with Joy our stadium gate

In years gone by we were never mates

The deed is done but it is never too late

All we do is blame, cause and hate

In our minds we will always keep this date

In our hands we held our fate

But now we pray in faith

WE STILL CAN’T WAIT

South Africa 2010. The Giant of Africa needs to be there o... l8r y’ll