If there was any doubt that football is fast taking over from religion as the new opium of the masses, the just ended Confederation Cup in Brazil should dispel such. It was as if glorious World Cup football tournament was here again but with fewer countries participating. Just eight countries, the best from each continent; call it mini world cup if you would but it was only a dress rehearsal for the main show coming up also in Brazil next year. The world has just reveled in a fiesta of enthralling football nonetheless.
On display was the best of Europe as represented by Spain and Italy, the best of the Americas with Uruguay and Brazil, the best of Asia, Japan; the best of North America, Mexico; Tahiti stood in for the Oceania while Nigeria, the African champion hoisted the continent’s flag. It was boon for lovers of the round leather game with Tahiti seeming to provide the comic relief having been suffused with goals – garnering 24 in only three matches. But the tiny island country of 178,000 people was too happy to be at the world stage under global klieg lights for the first time to give a damn. The team made up of physical education teachers and artisans was obviously having a good time, hearty and happy even as it amassed baskets full of goals. Such was the spectacle that when they got the goal against the Super Eagles, their only goal of the tournament, they jubilated as if they won the cup. It could well have been a trophy for running around with giants and putting one behind the mighty Super Eagles which paraded illustrious football superstars is a feat by itself.
But of course, not Tahiti, but Brazil that staged the show also lifted the cup in a grand style. In an anticlimax of a finale Brazil switched on a beautiful performance against European and world champions, Spain to snatch the diadem. Brazil’s young team completely subdued and exposed the seemingly indomitable Spanish armada, exponents of the exotic tiki-taka brand of football. This must be a foretaste of what to expect next year when the world converge once again in that football grove known as Brazil for the real thing: the World Cup. You must have noticed especially, a new star in the galaxy called Neymar!
But our gallant Super Eagles was there, played three matches, won one and lost two. Though we did not scale the first round, it was a good outing for the national team with the added advantage of encountering quality teams like Uruguay and Spain. While the team drubbed Tahiti six to one after a troubled transit to the tournament (no thanks to the shoddy ways of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF), they lost to Uruguay and Spain but to keen-eyed footballers, they played good football, they played like African champions. As Coach Stephen Keshi said, they were defeated but not disgraced.
They were plagued by poor administrative support and injury: key players like Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Ogenyi Onazi and Kenneth Omeruo (in the last match). Had we these regulars, so much would have been different. What Nigerians must take away from the Confederation Cup is that Keshi’s team is taking shape quite well. Positions are beginning to solidify. Not in the last few years could Nigerians see a clear picture of their national team. The ‘technocrats’ at the Glass House must allow Keshi to complete the work he has started. Talk of vetting his selection now would amount to throwing spanner in the works; they want to impose players on the coach. Have you ever heard that a bunch of people sit somewhere and vet the team list of a Scolari, Del Bosque, etc? It is unthinkable. Coaches are employed to swim or sink. This Eagles will fly yet.
