In the direction of the 1993 common election in Nigeria, one of many candidates within the presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola used the above title as his marketing campaign slogan.
At the moment I exploit it, not for a political marketing campaign however for the spherical of 16 soccer battle the Tremendous Eagles could be going into on the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Why did I exploit this title? It’s due to the controversy stirred up by the reported prophecy of Primate Elijah Ayodele regarding one of many Tremendous Eagles gamers, Ademola Lookman.
The person who might be described as a prophet of doom, was reported to have suggested the coach of the Tremendous Eagles, Eric Chelle by no means to make use of the participant in any other case they won’t do nicely, or higher put, win.
A lacuna was left within the so-called prophecy, I consider, in order that the prophet may wriggle out in case it falls flat on his face.
What I do know prophets like Primate Ayodele do is that, they offer an recommendation on what to do to avert such destructive prophecies.
Within the case of Lookman, it was like a finality. He by no means provided an answer to keep away from the failure of the Tremendous Eagles from occurring. He was too positive that Lookman was a nasty omen, perhaps from what he noticed in his crystal ball. Nigerians by no means reacted. The NFF, Chelle and Lookman himself took it with a pinch of salt.
The Bible says in Job 22:29 that “When males are forged down, then thou shalt say, there may be lifting up”. I don’t understand how spiritual or non secular Lookman is, however I suppose he trusted in his skills to play soccer and will need to have left his destiny on the AFCON within the arms of God.
I don’t know why Primate Ayodele picked on Lookman. However God being on Lookman’s aspect has lifted him regardless of the casting down.
If Chelle was a believer in prophecy or one who consults oracles earlier than going to a soccer battle, he might have dropped Lookman.
I stated earlier that the prophet left a lacuna he may wriggle out from. He wasn’t particular at what stage the Tremendous Eagles would fail if Lookman was fielded.
T h a t i s w h y h e h a s f o u n d a w a y t o say his prophecy was misunderstood.
In response to him, “the prophecy was a warning, and what I stated was that Lookman is not going to assist the staff within the match, not precisely the match in opposition to Tanzania.”
To buttress his stand, he added that “that is only the start of the (competitors). We have now simply began the sport and performed just one match already; we must always all wait earlier than attacking the prophecy. One recreation can not decide our efficiency within the match.”
After which the clincher for him now’s this: “It will be my biggest pleasure if the Nigerian staff wins, however that may solely occur in the event that they hearken to recommendation. I’ve at all times rooted for the Nigerian staff and for this reason my prophecies about them at all times come up. I would like them to carry the trophy and are available again house victorious, however it can solely occur if my recommendation is listened to.”
If Lookman could be the issue of the staff on the AFCON, would he have given two assists and scored two of the eight targets the Tremendous Eagles have recorded thus far within the competitors?
If the previous African participant of the 12 months winner wasn’t rested within the final group match in opposition to Uganda, perhaps he would have additionally contributed to the defeat of the Cranes.
Prophets mustn’t drag God into soccer issues. The God of Soccer folks speak about shouldn’t be the Almighty God however the little gods they seek the advice of believing it can assist them.
The Almighty God shouldn’t be a partial God. He has given everybody, together with footballers and coaches, abilities. It’s left for them to make use of it. God won’t ever assist one staff in opposition to the opposite.
That’s the reason Nigerians have reacted to the prophecy, telling Primate Ayodele to face his calling and cease meddling with soccer. One in all such Nigerians is Jimada Gan who wrote, “The pitch doesn’t recognise prophecies, solely targets — and Lookman answered with one.”
The prophecy hasn’t affected Lookman. His efficiency thus far has earned him a spot within the AFCON X1 staff after the group stage, the one Nigerian participant for that matter.
After one hundred percent file within the group stage like Algeria, the Tremendous Eagles are on the march once more because the knockout stage started yesterday. They’ll take their flip in opposition to Mozambique tomorrow in an try to choose the quarter-finals ticket.
Chelle and his wards are already plotting methods on easy methods to deal with the Mambas of Mozambique who’ve by no means overwhelmed the Tremendous Eagles.
Between 1999 and 2023, each groups have met six occasions with Nigeria beating them 5 occasions and drawing solely as soon as, with 12 targets for the Tremendous Eagles and solely 4 for the Mambas.
So going into tomorrow’s recreation, the Tremendous Eagles have a greater head to heads file and will triumph once more, all issues being equal.
Nonetheless, they have to not financial institution on previous data as a result of no two matches are the identical. Like Nigerians say in native parlance, I get am earlier than no be property.
That’s the reason the staff’s former captain, Sunday Oliseh has warned them to watch out for the Mambas, who just like the snake they’re named after, may sting them once they least anticipate. That point Primate Ayodele will chuckle final and say he warned them in opposition to taking part in Lookman.
He is not going to do not forget that Lookman performed the primary two video games in opposition to Tanzania and Tunisian and contributed immensely to the victories. From SportsGuard subsequently, it’s goodluck to the Tremendous Eagles.
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