IKENWA NNABUOGOR gets his head ringing spoiling for choice for the best Nigeria’s World Cup celebration…
Nigeria’s much-awaited World Cup debut finally came at USA’94 World Cup and the expectations were not in short supply as the reigning African champions proved they were some of the best in world Cup.
Interestingly, goals were scored to announce Nigeria’s emergence in the biggest global football showpiece and the unforgettable celebrations that greeted the glitz and razzmatazz.
Subsequent World Cup appearances, though were not as spectacular as the debut in the USA, also produced some unforgettable moments especially in terms of goal celebrations.
Super Eagles accounting for a total number of 23 goals in the World Cup finals attended this far, however, some of the goals stood out and the accompanying celebrations also received presidential approvals and fit for a short TV product commercials.
Choices will always be an interesting headache to pick the best among the best, but your individual choice will take precedence, after all, one’s best choice could be another’s worst.
Let’s look at some of them – Daniel “Da Bull” Amokachi’s solo effort against Greece in the last group encounter that ended in a sweet 2-0 victory at Foxborough Stadium, would most probably remain the best choice for a TV product commercial.
“Da Bull” had taken the stubborn Greek defence on a ride, rode a tackle and more in a mazy sea of legs, before unleashing an unstoppable blinder that sailed into the roof of the Greek in the added time to complete the Greek misery. Sheer class!
But even more classy was the short run to the left corner flag, stealing away from pursuing Emmanuel Amuneke for this much-talked about waist-wriggling dance steps that also got the commentator fascinated.
He danced alone for some seconds before team mates arrived to disrupt this exciting dance steps that would later become the reigning dance steps named “Amokachi” in Nigeria, popularized mainly in the eastern part of the country.
Team mates Okechukwu Uche and Austin Eguavoen joined him in some few steps, but were not as sweet as the former Club Brugge striker.
Still on the Greece game, Finidi George’s all-on-fours celebrations completed the fans’ delight at Foxborough.
The former Ajax winger had latched on to Emmanuel Amuneke’s through pass after collecting the ball from Nigeria’s half and exquisitely chipped the on-coming Christo Karkamanis in Greece goal.
Finidi raced to the corner flag, got on his doggie fours, trotted a bit like an excited dog welcoming his owner and skillfully raised his right, but for an easy tap by Amokachi to add another gloss to this out-of-the-world celebration.
Another great celebration worth TV commercial for a dog food product.
Super Eagles returned four years after in France to thrill the world with their exquisite celebrations and it was in full supply as Sunday Oliseh launched his own brand of celebration that got even the commentator involved.
The thrilling encounter with Spain stood at 2-2 with the clock ticking away when Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha’s throw in was desperately directed into Oliseh’s path by a poor Spanish clearance and the former Juventus midfielder met it with a ferocious 35-yard shot that beat Andoni Zubizarreta in Spain goal.
Oliseh was mad with ecstasy, leaving his pursuing team mates behind and raced to the crowd when his Atlanta Olympic 1996 injured teammate Dosu Joseph was seated, pointing to him and screaming his name. He was unstoppable! That celebration is still enduring.
The euphoria that greeted the goal and the emotional celebration still remain a talking point till date.
If Oliseh’s celebration was emotional, Julius Aghahowa’s was entertaining.
Aghahowa would put Nigeria on level terms with Sweden in the second group game at Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup in Ibaraki, meeting Joseph Yobo’s inviting cross with his head amidst a Swedish sea of heads.
The former Shaktar Donestk striker wheeled his legs in this much-talked about cartwheel celebrations that even captivated the commentator, who also proved an extra angle to the celebration, screaming “and Aghahowa on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on, huuuuuuuu!”
The commentator was accurate in the number of times the former Esperance somersaulted much to the delight of fans. It was eight times, excitingly.
Late Rashidi Yekini’s net grabbing celebration against Bulgaria in Nigeria’s debut appearance at USA’94 was more of history and emotional than the best.
Yekini completed an unstoppable move launched by Sunday Oliseh in the midfield after connecting a final pass by Finidi George to put Nigeria in front in the famous 3-0 win at Cotton Bowl, Dallas.
The Super Eagles record goal king stayed back in the Bulgaria net, grabbed it emotionally and screaming what his lips read to be, “Rashidi Yekiniiiiii” before he was joined by his team mates much to the delight of his team mates.
Other celebrations do not come any close in delight to these, but Nigeria’s participation in the World Cup will always be remembered for the goals, history, celebrations and, of course, not to forget the disappointments.
