Please understand that this is just an academic exercise. Nigeria played a goalless draw in Mozambique, played before a very hostile crowd, on an unfamiliar surface, in high altitude, and with a team that did not have a Presidential Task Force to motivate it!  The team played rather poorly and escaped Maputo with a draw! Nigerians went ‘berserk’! I believe no one even mooted the idea of a match bonus for the players. Even the Presidency was compelled by the sheer force of public opinion to intervene and get the eagles back on track to South Africa 2010. Since Maputo no stone has been left unturned to ensure the mission is accomplished.

This was followed by a win at home against a ‘bush’ Kenyan team. That victory was lavishly celebrated!

Last Saturday, away from home again this time, even though the team was really not outstanding, did not win the match, had a full complement of its best players to choose from, had two plane-loads of supporters to cheer them, and was highly motivated by promised rewards, the Eagles played a barren draw. The celebration after this drawn match is yet to abate. The players have been hailed as heroes and have been paid the highest match bonuses ever paid to a winning team in the history of Nigerian football! Wait a minute. What is the big deal about this drawn match this time around?

I asked a friend the question. Osasu Obayiuwana told me straight away that the difference is Tunisia. Tunisia are not Mozambique in terms of their football strengths. Do I remember Odiye, he asked me. That’s definitely struck a cord! How can I forget the episode of Nigeria scoring Nigeria in 1977 which denied the country the opportunity to have sent a team to the World Cup at a time when only one country represented the continent!

I agree completely, although a draw is a draw some draws are as good as a win!