No silver lining for Nigeria

No silver lining for Nigeria
(FIFA.com) Sunday 15 November 2009
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Fireworks thundered into the hot Abuja night, young players danced on a podium, eyes heavenward and drunk with victory and relief. But they were not, as overwhelmingly expected, the host Nigerians dancing and leaping for joy, but rather the unlikely debutant Swiss.

The Golden Eaglets had just collected their silver medals and wandered around the virtually empty National Stadium pitch, tears rolling from their cheeks and eyes straining in bitter disappointment. The trophy seemed destined to end in Nigerian hands, as if the title was theirs by decree. More than 60,000 supporters roared their every touch of the ball during the final and the three-time champions had arrived there without having lost a FIFA U-17 World Cup game since 2003.

The total devastation that read on their faces was proof positive, if any were needed, that football can be a cruel game. "It's hard for us," Stanley Okoro, eyes wet with tears, told FIFA.com after reluctantly agreeing to a brief chat. "Luck deserted us and so did the goals. We had many chances to score in the game, but we couldn’t make the ball go into the net."
This cycle has come to an end for us, and who knows where we will end up? It could be the end of the road. And that is a hard thing to swallow.
Nigeria's Stanley Okoro

Nearby, Sani Emmanuel – the team’s supersub and adidas Golden Ball winner for tournament top player – looked virtually dazed after failing to score for the first time in the competition. The Swiss attacked rarely, but they found a way to make the ball go into the net that one crucial time. "It will be hard for this team moving forward," Added Okoro, one of the finest players of these junior world finals. "This cycle has come to an end for us, and who knows where we will end up? It could be the end of the road. And that is a hard thing to swallow."

Ramon Azeez cut a devastated figure, milling around the pitch in a fog. He kicked a water bottle in total frustration as coach John Obuh made his way over for a few words. "Sometimes the goals just go away," the boss said, with a rueful smile. "We had our chances but the ball just wouldn’t go in. Luck played a part, but if you don’t score, you don’t win. It’s as simple as that."

Emmanuel and Abdul Ajagun, both seated in the team dugout in the quiet stadium that had been a raucous wild, place just minutes before, had a handful of chances to get the goal that may have sent the defending champion Nigerians on their way. But their faces now told the whole story. "It's just too hard a thing to describe; what we’re feeling right now," the brave Okoro said, fighting back more tears and his face twisting into a grimace. "We thought we would win," he concluded, silver medal glinting almost apologetically in the yellow glow of the floodlights.
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Rating: 4.6

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whykay2miami
16/11/2009 at 03:18
whykay2miami (Nigeria)
This guys must be commended for their efforts after-all nobody gave them a chance at the beginning of the tournament also considering the fact that the team was assembled within 5 months.....Guy LUCK SWISS We have an Arsenal team made in Nigeria.
silika
16/11/2009 at 03:15
silika (Nigeria)
You win some and lose somw. Nigeria tried, but the Seiss were the best in this tournament.
serezo
16/11/2009 at 02:22
serezo (USA)
Regrettably, the better side lost today. That said, soccer remains a team sport. When you fail to realize just that, you loose. Take a cue from the Swiss! Word for Sanni Emmanuel! Congrats Switzerland
deanabbey
15/11/2009 at 23:41
deanabbey (USA)
Isuberu, pliz watch dat match very well. It wasn't sani emmanuel, it was stanley okoro that cost eaglet this match, I don't know why, he refused to pass to sani emmanuel. I was even thinking the coach is going to remove him, but instead he finidhed the match. He is not a team player and with dat he a long way to go.
dondo07
15/11/2009 at 23:15
dondo07 (Nigeria)
was surprised to see a super sub win the golden ball. another history? was expecting okoro to win it. obuh should take these boys to the next u21 while siasia takes his to u23. amodu should take his boys to angola and his performance there would determine who takes them to SA. congrats again for given nigeria opportunity to host the tournament. without doubt, the next world cup coming to africa should come here.
isuberu
15/11/2009 at 23:08
isuberu (USA)
In a country where personal interest comes before that of the nation, what you get is what we all witnessed today. Sanni Emmanuel wanted to be the top scorer forgetting he was wearing the national color. He should be ashamed of himself and think of how he blew away a chance of creating a good image for a country known for corruption, violence and unstable economy. A huge lesson for everyone (politicians, government and other sectors). Country first people!!!
oseyemi
15/11/2009 at 23:07
oseyemi (United Arab Emirates)
Luck really went against Nigeria.Despite the fact they outclassed swiss in almost all the departments of the MATCH yet they still lost to swiss.
Lymbovampaya
15/11/2009 at 23:01
Lymbovampaya (Ghana)
There comes a time that even the best team loses. I am very proud of the boys and the job they did. Much as it hurts, it is not the end of the road and I know the boys have a very bright future ahead of them, and the technical team? Well, they did their best, what more can I say....?