Nigeria finally win World Cup!- Print Journalism Practice
Reporter: Nigerian Gabriel Odenore
Nigeria won the World Cup!
7:30pm June 10 2012 marked history for Nigeria as they beat defending champions Spain! Nigeria made history, the first African team to make the semi-final, final and win the World Cup! Breaking 3 records, breaks the record for breaking the most records in a World Cup! Manager Stephen Keshi commented and said ‘Nigeria has worked so hard for this, can’t wait to eat some pounded yam when I get back to Nigeria!’
The Journey
It all started at Ecuador when Nigeria thrashed them 4-0! Then they destroyed Germany 3-0 and beat England 2-1! They qualified with ease and made the group stages. Their opponents were Portugal, South Korea and Chile. They beat South Korea 2-1, they also beat Chile 1-0 and drew 1-1 to Portugal. That’s the Group Stage done, so Nigeria faced Group B second place Russia. It was a tough game but they won 1-0 and made the Quarter-Finals!! So Nigeria, full with confidence faced the Fast and Furious France. They obliterated Brazil 5-0!! Although Nigeria was a scared side, they put a brilliant fight and won 2-1 to make the Semi-Finals! Nigeria had to face the Great Germans! They beat Messi and Argentina 2-1 to make the Semi-Finals! The game was very cagey affair in midfield but in the 82nd minute, Mikel played a through ball to the pacey and strong Emenike who took a fine top corner shot. Neuer had no chance! Nigeria had made the Final!
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The Final!
At Wembley there was a 80,000 crowd population! The culture of Nigeria was truly shown as the singing and banging of drums. In the dugout before I had a quick chat with World Cup top scorer Emmanuel Emenike he exclaimed ‘I’m soooooo excited, my stomach is a herd of Nigerian butterflies and all I can think of is losing!’ KICKOFF! The game started of with the flair and skill of Spain. They were passing with real skill and fancy flicks. This was Nigeria was scared of. The skill of Spain didn’t scary Nigeria, but the confidence of them scared them. Nothing really happened until Keshi made his legendary team talk. SECONDHALF! Nigeria came out with full force and had some close chances. But as Nigeria had nightmares of, Spain scored first. It started from a long throw from Jordi Alba that setup Xavi who lobbed the ball over to David Villa who took a inch perfect shot. The Nigerian goalkeeper had no chance! 1-0. Spain played defensive football let Nigeria attack them and drain their energy! However to Nigeria’s luck, there was a lucky flick of Sergio Ramos and Emenike had a open goal! 1-1. Then Spain was distraught and Nigeria took their luck. Musa made a brilliant 1-2 with Emenike who played to Sunday Mba who finessed it into the bottom corner! 2-1!!!! Nigeria used all their energy and went ultra-defensive! FULLTIME! Nigeria have made history! The crowd went hysterical! The first African team to win the World Cup. World class defender Sergio Ramos said to reporter Gabriel Odenore “Nigeria are world class team, if I had to lose the World Cup I would lose to Nigeria. Mikel and Emenike danced around, Keshi jumped with his staff and the rest of the Nigerian was pointing to the sky. Goodluck Jonathan Nigerian President stated “Well done to Keshi and the team for working so hard. Every player gets 10000 dollars.”
