Can Super Eagles be Super again?

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I am not a die hard football fan, I watch selected matches of my favorite clubs. But, as a Nigerian, I love watching the Eagles play at major tournaments. 

My patriotism was birthed in 1989 when as a little girl, I witnessed the wave of ecstasy that flooded our streets when the fantastic  Nduka Ugbade completed a remarkable comeback for Nigeria in the match between Nigeria and Soviet Union. I was too tender to appreciate the intricacies of the game, but the Chorus of GOAL and the ensuing victory songs that rang out in our neighborhood when the men in green kicked a round - rolling object into the net brought joy to my very young heart. It was the first time I ever witnessed such jubilation and joy. Many years later I got to understand what happened on that glorous day. The tale of how the  Flying Eagles were 4-0 down  at the quarter final of the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia but miraculously equalized 4-4 before full time and went ahead to win through penalties, popularly known as the Miracle of Dammam, still lives in the hearts of football loving Nigerians. It gave most our people a reason to believe in Nigeria in the midst of the misery they were facing as a nation.

Then came Atlanta 1996 when Nigeria ruled the world. Our victory over Brazil; the grandmasters of football, was indeed a dream come true for us as a nation. The Finals against Argentina felt like a walk over as we secured a 3-2 victory against Argentina to win the Gold Medal. The Eagles were a beacon of Hope for most Nigerians in the midst of their misery. Their passion, patriotism and zeal to win ignited a new fire in the hearts of the younger generation and this fire though a flicker in the present time, has refused to burn out. 

These memories raced through my mind as I watched my beloved Super Eagles at the 2018 Fifa World Cup weakly trying to live up to the legacy of her heroes past and the expectations of a Nation searching for a glimpse of the old hope in the younger generation.

Following their 2-0 defeat to Croatia in their opening Group D fixture many have lost hope in the team which has been rated the weakest in their group. However, the big questions are; can the Mikel Obi-captained squad live up to the expectations of Nigerians? Can they find strength in the midst of their weakness?

It is my hope that these Eagles would be able to write their names in the sands of time like the legends of Atlanta 96.