By Ori Martins
Dramatically, today’s epic encounter between Nigeria and Morocco is a historic play back of the 1980 African Nations Cup semi final game in 1980. Nigeria was the host and triumphed over the North Africans, 1- 0. That goal was scored by Felix Owolabi, a player who served as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder in that momentous tournament.
Today, with Morocco as host, both countries are meeting in the semi final, once more. What happens? Will history now favour Morocco as it did for Nigeria 46 years ago? Or will Nigeria, based on her superlative performance, so far, in the competition, eliminate host Morocco? Yet, Morocco, also, has been very impressive and immaculate.
Remarkably, from the history books, it has been confirmed that each time any host country defeats Cameroon in AFCON, she will eventually lift the trophy. Sports journalist Kevin Anyanwu recently reminded Nigerians of this fact.
As it has happened, Morocco has sent Cameroon out of the tournament. Does it mean the host will beat Nigeria this evening and go ahead to be crowned Africa’s new champions?
Recall that when Nigeria (and Ghana) co-hosted the Nations Cup in 2000, the most populous country in Africa dismantled Morocco 2-0 with goals from Finidi George and Julius Aghaghowa.
You see, Nigeria is a jinx breaker. Before Atalanta “96 Olympic Games, hardly did any non European football team strike gold at the soccer event of the fiesta. But Nigeria, with the Dream Team 1, shattered that ignoble jinx. It was unprecedented as Nigeria destroyed both Brazil and Argentina – the pride of South American football. Thus, with determination and discipline, Nigeria can disunite Morocco this evening.
Again, informed analysis has revealed that Nigeria not does win the AFCON gold whenever she meets Tunisia in any Nations Cup competition.
For instance, on March 16,1978, in Kumasi, in the Ghana ’78 Nations Cup Finals, Nigeria beat Tunisia 1- 0, but the North Africans refused to continue the game and CAF awarded a 2- 0 work over to Nigeria. Sadly, Nigeria never returned home with the Nations Cup even when sensational Segun Odegbami was among the highest goal scorers.
During the Ghana, Nigeria Nations Cup, the West Africans hit Tunisia 4-2 , in Lagos on January 23, 2000, in a group opening game. Regrettably, Nigeria lost to Cameroon in the final with a Tunisian referee Murad Dami, in charge.
And in 2004, on February 11, at Sfax Stadium, Tunisia, the North Africans punished Nigeria 5 -3 after the game ended 1- 1 at regulation time. It was a semi final encounter.
Again, on February 4, 2006 in Port Said, Egypt, Nigeria took her pound of flesh from Tunisia 6- 5, after scores stood at 1-1 at regulation time. It was a day Vincent Enyeama stopped the North Africans as he saved three straight penalty kicks during the shoot-out. Nigeria eventually lost to Cote d’Ivoire in the semi final, Didie Drogba’s controversial lone strike.
Also, this same Tunisia factor ensured Nigeria was not victorious at the 2019 and 2022 Nations Cup Finals in Cairo and Garoua respectfully.
However, football is a game of surprises. Argentina with a rickety team in 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy, after losing 0- 1 to Cameroon in the opening game still went ahead to play in the final although it controversially lost to the then West Germany in the final. Even Senegal beat France at home in the 2002 World Cup Finals at home. Thus if Nigeria can re-enact her performance so far in the last matches, victory may come her way. Historian and veteran journalist Emeka Obasi had hinted on this sometime ago.
At least, head – head, Nigeria has an edge over Morocco: 10 games in all, with Nigeria having five wins, one draw and four losses.
