Dr Rafiu Ladipo
Last week, I told the story of how some smart Nigerians are making a kill here, selling jersies and other mementoes about the country. But the story turned sour on Wednesday when two of these Nigerians went too far in their quests to make more money. These Nigerians who thought they could beat the FIFA’s rule of no sale of items inside playing arenas, were apprehended and taken to the police station inside the Beira Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre. As at the time of filling this report, President of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr Rafiu Ladipo was still battling to get them out of detention. Head of the stadium police team insisted that he had no authority to free them.
Poor Okugbe!
Africa Independent Television (AIT) on air personality, Felix Okugbe, saw the other side of Brazil on Wednesday when he lost his precious ipad to thieves right inside the Beira Rio Stadium. Okugbe who was celebrating Ahmed Musa’s second equalizing goal in Nigeria’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina, was joined by several Brazilians and other nationals to hail the magnificent goal from the CSKA Moscow forward. At the end of the jubilation, Okugbe just realized that he had become lighter. He dipped his hands inside his jacket and suddenly realized that his ipad was gone. His mood changed and did not want to any of the fans around him anymore. But at the end of the game, when news filtered into the stadium that Bosnia-Herzegovina had beaten Iran 3-1 to enable Nigeria advance to the second round, Okugbe quipped: “If this is the price I have paid for Super Eagles to move into the next round, so be it!”
Thief Forgiven
Another Nigerian, Sheriff Rabiu was lucky not to experience Okugbe’s fate. While walking in the midst of thousands of Argentine fans into the Beira Rio Stadium, a not so smart Argentine fan snatched his bag which contained his match ticket. But Police caught the thief and he was taken to the mobile police station at the stadium. But Rabiu who was told by the police to file charges against the thief declined because that will mean his missing the Nigeria versus Argentina game. With ten minutes gone into the match, Rabiu told the police to leave the thief since he has recovered his bag and ticket. The policemen were bewildered at his magnanimity and allowed the thief to walk away a free man. Before leaving, the Argentine bowed his head twice, apologized and moved on, perhaps, seeking another victim.
Lessons to Learn from Nigeria, Argentina Match
All my years of covering global sports events around the world, never have I seen the type of true sportsmanship put up by the Argentines that outnumbered Nigerians inside the Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre. Two hours before the clash, Nigerian and Argentine talked freely and even taking pictures together. At some of the hospitality stands, some were even buying each other drinks. It was as if the match was a friendly. At half time, several Argentines were asking Nigerians who were willing to exchange their Eagles jersies for the Albicelestes’ blue and white colours. Right inside the stadium, the Argentines that were almost 500 to one Nigerians were freely joking with our compatriots.
When the match ended 3-2 in their favour, they still were happy for Nigeria making it through to the next round with Bosnia victory over Iran. It was indeed the meaning of true sportsmanship on display. How I wish fans in Nigeria and elsewhere will emulate this gesture for football to remain truly, the Beautiful Game.
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