Not enough soccer, too much prayer in Nigerian stadium
Nigeria’s under-20 soccer team have lost
out to an all-night prayer vigil and been forced to move a key match to a
provincial stadium.
Nigeria’s under-20 soccer team have lost out to an all-night prayer vigil and been forced to move a key match to a provincial stadium.
The evangelical Redeemed Christian Church of God has booked the new National Stadium in the capital for a “gospel crusade” expected to draw thousands of worshippers on Friday night.
As a result, the stadium in Abuja will not be ready to host Saturday’s Nigeria versus Rwanda qualifier for next year’s African Youth Championship which will now be played in the southwestern city of Abeokuta.
Certainly, our own faith-based government would say the Nigerians have their priorities straight.
An aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is a fervent Christian, said the head of state had intervened to make sure football made way for religion.
“This is because religious matters are very sensitive and since there can be an alternative place for the football it is still a decision based on national interest,” said the aide, who did not wish to be named.
Now, I can see why Nigeria didn’t make it to the World Cup, this year. They probably won’t even make it to the final four in the next African Nations Cup.
Posted: Thu - September 28, 2006 at 09:05 AM