A Day When The Eagles Refused To Fly

Nigeria, 29th March, 2022.

Blue sky. Cloudy sky. Hot sun. That's the nature of the wealthy recorded in Abuja. It's going to be a special day afterall. The Eagles will be defending their territory on the football pitch. 

As you must have read. An Eagle understands its terrain and studies every inhabitant of the domain where its nest is built, understanding what their activities and routine could be. To bear the name of an eagle means more, it means that you will act in the capacity of the eagle. 

The football world is concluding qualification procedures for the 2022 world cup to be hosted by Qatar. It hopes to be one of the world's greatest events. 

The Nigeria senior football team popularly known as the Super Eagles had two matches to play and must come out winners to carry the day and obtain the ticket to represent the Western Africa subregion at the mundial. 

The team led by ex super eagles skipper, Austine Egbuavon travelled to Ghana where the first leg of the match was played. There were arguments that the super eagles of Nigeria played their hearts on the pitch but could not convert their play time to a goal. Hence the goal ended in a goalless draw situation. 

I didn't watch the match because I was engaged with a very serious assignment but I followed it in www.goal.com, it was the talk of the day. 

One popular Ghananian screen actor, John Dumelo was quite optimistic that the Super Eagles of Nigeria won't be able to fly across the Black Stars of Ghana. He went ahead to boast that if the Nigerian team defeats the Ghananian team, he will trek from Accra (Capital of Ghana)  to Lagos, Nigeria. 

Fortunately enough, that boasting became a reality. The Nigerian team could not put a goal across the goal post and Dumelo had not to trek from Accra to Lagos. 

After the first leg, the Super Eagles began to gather momentum as old legs but experienced players began to join the team so that the synergy could produce a tangible result. 

The second leg was fixed to be played in Nigeria's Federal Capital territory, Abuja. This time, all efforts must be geared toward a win or it's going to be the worst nightmare for the teeming Nigerian fans who have been following the Super Eagles closely enough to be betrayed. 

The stadium was filled to capacity. As usual, our supporters team rolled the drums and blew the trumpet with melodious songs but it was not enough to make the Ghanaians lower down on their pursuit In the field of play. 

In the tenth minute of the cracker, Thomas Partey kicked a curve ball from outside the box and not even the goalkeeper, let alone the defenders could stop it. Now, I Was beginning to blame myself for taking time out of my busy schedules only for Nigeria to be squashed or to conceive a goal at home. 

Since the qualifiers rule accepts away goals, Nigeria now need to score two goals to escape the disqualification. 

The whole stadium first went dead with silence like a graveyard. Then the drums came alive again with hopes that the super eagles would come back to the game. The surprise came and a penalty kick was awarded. Troost Ekong, one of the oldest legs, played from the spot and scored. 

Now, it's a one all situation and the Nigerian team would have to win the match to scale through. The lobby for another goal lingered till the end of first half. 

The second half began and both sides played like the heavens were let loose but no goal came. 

My eyes could not close nor could the tears drip down my cheek when the referee blew the final whistle. Phew!! The super eagles are out of the Qatar 2022 world cup. 

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