The Vagaries of International Football

By Omoseye Bolaji

“Nigeria has scored against Nigeria!”. Since I was a kid this haunting phrase reeled out on national radio on the national radio service of Nigeria has provided a shattering source of pathos; this was in 1978 when Nigeria was knocked out of the World Cup qualifying series as Godwin Odiye somehow scored an own goal that benefited Tunisia who then represented Africa at the World Cup finals.

The whole country was thrown into mourning, as the now late icon of the air waves, Ernest Okonkwo, informed countless millions that “Nigeria has scores against Nigeria!!” It became etched in one’s memories over the year; over the decades. Indeed in those days my generation felt that the world had come to an end and Nigeria would never make it to any World Cup finals.

Not only was the hapless Odiye disconsolate; the whole of the excellent then Green Eagles squad was shattered – from keeper Okala to superb winger Adokiye Amesiemeka. Such fine players like Muda Lawal, Segun Odegbami, Christian Chukwu – they had given their all during the campaign but now it was ending in tears. Looking back, it seemed as if one waited FOR EVER for the Eagles to finally qualify one day (1994) Now they have appeared there at least four times

Such early memories came flooding back as South Africa’s Bernard Parker scored a debilitating own goal against his own country whilst playing Ethiopia in vital world Cup qualifier the other week. It was a game that had been billed as do or die for South Africa as they met Ethiopia who were in the ascendancy in that particular group. It was a game Bafana had to win; or at worst not lose. But in the end they lost as striker Parker incredibly scored a header against his own team in such a macabre, freakish manner.

Despite this latest disappointment, at least South Africa has appeared at the World Cup finals a number of times over the last fifteen years or so; in 1998, 2002, and of course in 2010 when the country became the first African country to host the World Cup.

Trenchant memories, starting from the moment South Africa learnt they were going to host the tournament. Iconic Nelson Mandela himself in tears some ten years ago when it was finally confirmed by powers that be that South Africa had won the bid to host the world…Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu prancing around like a kid with unbridled joy too…such transcendent euphoria.

And how remarkable and unforgettable it was as South Africa hosted the world in 2010, we all basked in it…the incredible atmosphere, jabulane, (merriment) and patriotism. Everybody seemed to get involved, despite the intense cold…with ladies and kids clad in the colours of the nation, grins and camaraderie all over.

Alas, South Africa never did pull up mammoth trees during the tournament itself despite a pleasing 2-1 win over France in 2010. As for Nigeria the country often flattered to deceive at the finals with the 1994 campaign the most impressive as mighty Italy was almost put to the sword in the second round. And inexplicably it all ended in tears in 1998 as a superb Eagles squad – which had beaten Spain – somehow crumbled like soufflé against Denmark. Ah well…

But back to the present (2013). It was Ethiopia’s turn to celebrate in exceeding fashion after ensuring they topped the group (which included South Africa) and were closer to going to Brazil, after knocking South Africa out. Not that anyone really underestimated Ethiopia after their scintillating performances at the last version of Africa Cup of Nations which South Africa had hosted.

Really, the damage was done right on South African soil when the national team, Bafana Bafana could not defeat the Ethiopian side. With the latter’s record at home any chances of South Africa winning the return in Addis Ababa was quite tenuous, if one wanted to be realistic.

Yet nobody could have imagined the effervescent striker Bernard Parker morphing from hero to zero in the match. He it was who scored what seemed like a priceless first goal for South Africa in the first half; then he had the misfortune of thundering in a header, an OWN goal that put paid to any Bafana Bafana progress… cue memories of Odiye many years ago.

As for the Super Eagles, this time around, they are still very much on track for Brazil 2014. Incidentally South Africa might also have some sort of reprieve, due to a technicality. We shall see…