When the Super Eagles of Nigeria — still were Super

Nigeria’s under-20 soccer team have lost out to an all-night prayer vigil and been forced to move a key match to a provincial stadium.

The evangelical Redeemed Christian Church of God has booked the new National Stadium in the capital for a “gospel crusade” expected to draw thousands of worshippers on Friday night.

As a result, the stadium in Abuja will not be ready to host Saturday’s Nigeria versus Rwanda qualifier for next year’s African Youth Championship which will now be played in the southwestern city of Abeokuta.

Certainly, our own faith-based government would say the Nigerians have their priorities straight.

An aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is a fervent Christian, said the head of state had intervened to make sure football made way for religion.

“This is because religious matters are very sensitive and since there can be an alternative place for the football it is still a decision based on national interest,” said the aide, who did not wish to be named.

Now, I can see why Nigeria didn’t make it to the World Cup, this year. They probably won’t even make it to the final four in the next African Nations Cup.



  1. moss says:

    Nice photo of Jay Jay. They could still use him at Bolton.

  2. Victor says:

    Yes, faith based government…. now we don’t have Christmas anymore… we have winter holydays! What kind of Holydays?

  3. John Paradox says:

    Someone’s gotta say it, so I will.

    The team doesn’t have a prayer.

    J/P=?

  4. JimR says:

    Actually J/P the pun doesn’t work here (too bad though). They do have a prayer… probably several. but they must think they don’t have a chance without prayers. It shows a lack of confidence in themselves, but more disturbing, that they thing there is a godly friend willing to cheat by endowing them with an unfair competitive edge.

    It’s not unlike christians who think they can cheat death,

  5. woktiny says:

    #4 a lot of Christians think God plays a part in the life and death (and breath) of every bird and flower, so why not a sporting event?

    not suggesting one or the other, just asking…

  6. JimR says:

    What would be a gods life and death role in a sporting event?

  7. ghop says:

    I hope you were joking about the unfair advantage; If you knew them, you would know they were praying: :”God, whether we win or lose, help us to participate in a way that glorifies You, that shows Your love to our opponents, and while we want to win, let us play fairly, and use us to do what You see as important.” They know it would be more important to see their opponents in heaven than to beat them in a game.


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