Many of us have heard about the “famous” match between Nigeria and India which supposedly took place at the Nation Stadium Surulere, Lagos Nigeria....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
This story is as famous as the tortise tale in many Nigerian homes. Some believed this story to be true, others believed it has some elements of truth, while some call it complete and utter nonsense.
The facts of this belief are that;
1. Nigeria played against India at Surelere, Lagos.
2. India footballers played the match on barefoot.
3. The football would turn into a stone or a lion whenever Nigerian footballers try to kick it. The Nigerian goal keeper would duck or move aside on seeing the ball-cum-stone/lion.
4. India scored 99 goals in 90 minutes, aided by another set of magically flying team that would pick the ball and drop it inside the goal post.
5. Nigeria managed to score just one goal which they agreed with India that upon scoring a single goal, India would concede.
6. The popular footballer Samuel Okwaraji who died at the age of 25, scored the lone goal despite the football turning into stone and killing him upon making the glorious kick.
7. India was consequently banned from participating in World Cup as a result of their use of juju.
No Nigerian can corroborate this story as to have happened in this way yet the story found it’s way across the country.
The only possible answer to how this tale emanated would be that fragments of true stories were conjured together to produce this interesting but ridiculous story.
Here are the truth which could have possibly led to the ridiculous belief.
1. A World Cup qualifier against Angola was held at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos State in August 1989.
2. In the 1948 Olympic Games, the Indian players made their mark for the sports world with their best performance. During that time many Indian players were seen playing on bare legs or in socks.
3. There were no World Cup match between Nigeria and India and it is safe to conclude that the whole story of football turning into stone or lion is a hoax.
4. Nigerian did beat Angola 1:0 in the match held at National Stadium Lagos.
5. The Nigerian footballer Samuel Okwaraji slumped on the pitch during the World Cup qualifier against Angola at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos State in August 1989. He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Doctors said he died of congested heart failure with an autopsy that showed he had an enlarged heart.
7. India surprised the world in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England with the Indian national football team, playing without footwear (some players played in socks while most played barefoot).
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.
It is believed that India withdrew from playing the World Cup as a result of this. However, India’s Sports Illustrated magazine, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) cited “disagreements over team selection, and insufficient practice time” as the reason the team would not attend the World Cup.
