Super Eagles
Nigeria’s lone goal scorer in the 1-1draw at last Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Malawi in Blantyre, Gabriel Reuben of Kano Pillars, has dedicated the goal to his late mother who passed on two weeks ago while he was on national assignment.
Speaking in Blantyre after the encounter, the soft-spoken midfielder, said it was very painful to lose the woman who brought him to life, while he was away on an international friendly game against Peru in Lima.
“The goal is for my mother, I still miss her and on the last day I will tell her how much I missed her for the care and love she gave me as a child. At the moment I’m so happy and short of words, but must say thank you Mama for bringing me to life, that goal is for you,” he said.
Reuben said he will also take time to celebrate with his teammates in Kano Pillars when he returns to the city, noting that he also holds some level of his performance to the club for grooming him to standard for national team coaches to select from.
Meanwhile, it was like Blantyre football fans in Malawi have won a major championship last Saturday after they grabbed a 1-1 draw with the Nigerian national team in a Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier.
From the Kamuzu National stadium where the game was played through the entire city, soccer fans trooped out singing and drumming for playing a draw and assured that they will be better when they come to Nigeria for the return leg.
“We are a small country but we have been able to rub shoulders with the other so called super powers of football; that is worth celebrating,” declared Djounkum Myirenda, a hotel attendant.
NFF Scribe, Musa Amadu, said it shows the level of height that exist between both countries, while also urging the national team handlers to ensure that they finish up the so called small countries with the slightest opportunity.
“We wasted so many chances in the match and I hope it won’t happen again so that we don’t start hoping on others to do well in their games on our behalf,” he said.
Nigeria presently leads its group in the ongoing qualifier with four points after Namibia defeated Kenya 1-0, in the other game played in Windhoek. Namibia is second with three points, Malawi two while Kenya has a point.