joao wrote:
There is a level playing field in Word Football. This is not new to those who understand sports
and the meaning of the word - COMPETITION.
World Football is not mathematics, nor is it in a fix. Yesterdays minnows are catching up, but
those who prefer singing the praises of same teams and players will not agree.
I believe this new setting is good for the sport, else the matches will be an anointing exercise
instead of being competitive.
Some people have forgotten - or never even knew - that Nigeria was once a soccer minnow even in Africa.
We were undeniably, inescapably, unhealthily 'wifed' on the regular by Ghana (yes, this same Ghana) once upon a time.
Nigeria only started to 'raise shoulder' in the late 70s.
On the world stage, we were minnows until 1994.
But look at us now, legitimately arguing how we shoulda and coulda beaten Argentina, Croatia, France and Italy in crucial World Cup games.
That is how the tables turn. We've come a long way even though there is still far to go.
But we have to recognise that other countries are not sleeping either. Look at Cape Verde in Africa. Look where Cameroun has sunken to, or even Germany in Europe.
On the world stage, look at the rise of tiny Belgium.
If we have the right to expect to beat the world's best, then we have to expect to slip up against the continent's minnows once in a while.
That's the beauty of the game, exploiting human weaknesses and errors.
Or else we might as well forget football as we know it and watch Robot Wars instead.