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  • in Africa

Fading Green; or, how Nigeria failed to qualify for AFCON

  • by Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam
  • April 25, 2016
Fading Green; or, how Nigeria failed to qualify for AFCONArt by Ami

The 2013 African Champions have now failed to qualify for back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations. As an Eagle is expected to SOAR, so are the Nigeria National Football Team, who are more so SUPER. However, the way their wings are easily clipped these days have only left SOUR hopes for fans…

 

Fading Green

 

The clock ticked steadily to the final whistle

Our hearts pounded heavily as would a pestle

Watching Gabon gradually fade into the night

Way out of sight for our darling Super Eagles

The giant of Africa dwarfed by the Pharaohs might

And in our faces, the obvious decline dangles

 

Tell me, what did we not do wrong in all of these?

When the broke NFF had many gods to appease

While busy changing coaches like baby nappies

And making them cry out loud for their salaries

Even players too are owed match bonus monies

Just where didn’t we go wrong in all of these, please?

 

And as it is, the more you look the less you see

In-fighting over the NFF Presidency

Recurring instability on and off the pitch

Plus other issues that make you ask “which is which?”

You know our past does have gold patches here and there

But now, people yell “Dear Lord! Is this really fair!’’

 

Indeed, there were doubts hiding in the thick dark cloud

Then our Pinnick-proclaimed Pep jilted us too

But in the heat of the dreaded Kaduna Sun came the crowd

We sat, stood, hung, while ninety minutes flew

Smeared in one another’s sweat to scream “goal!” out loud

But we drew, then Chad withdrew, we turned blue, oh phew!

 

Then in Alexandria our hopes were confirmed gone

Time to look up and move on; so much to be done

Now, we begin the search for a new “messiah”

Russia 2018 is at hand says the town-crier

If FIFA does not wield its hammer on our head

There’s a future to be proud of, when we rise from the dead

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Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam
A SPORTYchic with ARTitude, Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam is a complex soul, who’s got her eyes on the goal. Since her love for football in particular and sports in general was confirmed, she’s always kept the ball rolling on air and online, not forgetting there is always a place in her heart for graphic designs. @Chibuogwu_N
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Fading Green; or, how Nigeria failed to qualify for AFCON
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