Sports
The Verdict: These Eagles Won’t Fly in Russia
BY BEN MEMULETIWON
After watching the dismal performance of the Super Eagles against Czech Republic on Wednesday, Nigerians have taken to social media to express their displeasure. Their unanimous verdict is: saying: “These wingless Eagles won’t fly in Russia.”
Tomas Kalas’s 25th minute effort dashed the hopes of Nigeria heading to Russia on a winning note. The woeful result made it two successive losses for the Super Eagles, following a 1-2 loss to England, last Saturday.
Aside social media, the display of the team at the Rudolf-Tonn-Stadion has also become the talk of the town as fans in beer parlours, pepper soup joints and newsstands expressed serious concerns that Nigeria may be going for the 2018 global football fiesta as also-runs.
A concerned soccer buff, Crypto Huster, laughed the team to scorn while derisively begging the global football ruling body FIFA to postpone the Mundial from June 14 till such a time when Nigeria would be ready for the tournament.
“Maybe FIFA should help us shift this World Cup to December when Nigeria will be ready,” he said. “This is most embarrassing.”
Former Eagles striker, Jonathan Akpoborie, echoed Huster’s statement, saying Nigeria may become the whipping boy of the tournament.
Hear him: “It’s going to be a very cold summer for the Super Eagles in Russia if they continue on this path. Imagine Nigeria has not won any match since the launch of Super Eagles jersey. Please, we don’t want our jersey to be brighter than our performance. The beautiful jerseys must win matches. I have said it before and will continue to loud it. There is no creativity in our midfield.”
Tony Deko, an Eagles’ fan, took to his twitter handle, waxing philosophical. He said the Super Eagles can only pull surprises at the World Cup with divine intervention because, based on their recent performances, there’s nothing to write home about.
“Sealed and dusted, Eagles won’t play pass the group stage,” he said. “Nigerians should just start consoling themselves now before the Eagles land in Russia. The World Cup has not even started yet are Eagles are losing back to back. I pray we don’t take this losing streak to Russia.”
Bolaji Irene, another fan, said on her Facebook page: “I love the Eagles but I have given up on this team.”