Former Governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Owolabi Salis, has congratulated the Super Eagles for their victory over the Bafana Bafana football team of South – Africa, at the ongoing African cup of nations
He said: “That Super Eagles’ victory was something else. It was like a magic wand, I’m simply short of words to describe it, because for the first time, Nigerians forgot their terrible hunger, squalor and poverty, as the spirit of celebration took over.”
Going down memory lane, Salis recalled that the eagles’ victory over South-Africa evoked vivid reminder of 1969, when the legendary Pele of Brazil led his famous Santos Football Club to Benin city, in the thick of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war .
“For three good days, the war dramatically ceased, and absolute peace reigned, as both the Biafrans and the federal troops watched the legendary Pele display his soccer artistry to the admiration of all,” recalled Salis.
“Infact, such is the magical spell in soccer, that even our hitherto embattled President, Bola Tinubu himself will be happy that for the first time as the Super Eagles turned the heat of agitations relentlessly mounted by the mass of discontented Nigerians over the prevailing hardship in the country – off his head, just because of the wave of celebrations coming on the heels of the epic victory.
“I watched over the television as people trooped into the streets in ecstatic jubilation that defied words to describe. Even in the hot zones of the Sambisa Forest and other vulnerable spots in the North aas well as other parts of the country, I can imagine all the dare-devil kidnappers, terrorists, and ritual killers, all gone on holiday, as they also joined in the celebration.
“As distantly far away, as I was in the United States, my phone knew no rest. It rang and rang, as friends, joyous family members, and political followers kept bombarding me with calls of celebration and rejoicing.
“Even at my own end here, the jubilation knew no bound as my American and European friends danced, clapped, yelled and celebrated.” He urged all Nigerians not to rest on their oars, but rather keep praying that the Super Eagles should coast to victory and emerge the overall champion on the continent.
