AFCON 2013; He Stoops to Conquer
The AFCON 2013 ended with the erstwhile "Super Chicken" now Super Eagles crowned as the new African Champions... A victory that ended a 19 year wait. A tournament filled with different strides, passion and turn around moments. A victory that will be celebrated for a long time to come. Some blamed the coach for dropping some players... For me, that's guts. Keshi played inexperienced and local based players... Now that's faith. He kept pushing his team when the fans at home crucified them that's believe. Sunday Mba scored 2 vital goals on Sundays... That's determination and brilliance. The team stock together to fight... That's the Nigerian spirit.
But as we celebrate winning the AFCON, it's important not to forget the lessons... For me, apart from the team and the coach, one player should be celebrated more and specially, because he forgave us of our trespasses... He obeyed the clarion call to play for the country that wasn't there for him when religious Fanatics killed his parents same day while he was just 11yrs old. When he scored twice against Ethiopia, there is the possibility that some of the people that shouted A GOAL! !! ... may have killed or be related to those who killed his parents... Bitter Irony!
Victor Moses, the 11 year old boy in 2002 , whose parents was killed , now 11 years after stood to help his fatherland restore its pride. Even-though he had the opportunity to play for England, yet, he obeyed the clarion call of his fatherland. He wore the famous green and white jersey, he placed his right hand on the badge on the chest near his heart... Even though he didn't utter the words of the anthem ( because he may not have sang it before) he demonstrated the essence of the anthem with passion, skills and determination...thats is because he understands what PATRIOTISM is. He played to restore his country's pride that have ben lost for 19 years and played to the delight of all Nigerians, a section of whom may have made him an orphan.... He did it because he understood FORGIVENESS!
In line with my thought, let me insert the thoughts of Dele Momodu (Ovation)...
This is the story of a young boy whose parents were murdered during 2002 riots in Kaduna. He was aged 11 years at the time. His parents, Mr Austine and Mrs Josephine Moses, were missionaries until they met their untimely death. The boy left his house to play football but returned home to see that all his parents had laboured for had been razed down and he would never see his mother and father again.
He was taken to London by his uncle almost immediately after the incident. While in London, he began deploying his football skills. Though his parents were murdered, his passion for football was never killed. He played football for his school and later for a local Tandrige League club until Crystal Palace FC approached him. From that point, his career progressed in leaps and bounds.
This player played for England's under 16, 17, 19 and 21 teams between 2005 and 2010 scoring 11 goals for England during this period. He later moved to Wigan Athletic and now he plays for Chelsea. This footballer is called VICTOR MOSES.
His story is a touching one, I share his pains. I also share his courage. He had a choice not to step into Nigeria again but he didn't take that option. When the call to serve his fatherland came, Moses dumped England and embraced Nigeria... That is patriotism!
Today, we see a Victor Moses bringing joy to every Nigerian including those who may have inspired his parent's death... That is Love!
On Sunday, Moses would stand for the National Anthem and pledge allegiance to a country that couldn't defend his parents... That is faith!
Moses would deliver the "African Cup of Nations" trophy to Nigeria not minding what had happened in the past... That is forgiveness! Moses rose through bitterness and despair to the limelight of hope and courage.
He never gave up on his country. He persevered... That is purpose!
If someone like Victor Moses, despite the bitter past, never gave up on Nigeria, then why should we..? ONE NIGERIA! ONE PEOPLE! ONE DESTINY
Those were the exact thoughts of Dele Momodu, so as we sing and dance... We are the champions of Africa, lets us remember the doggedness and determination the boys expended even while many of us wrote them off even before they had kicked the first ball at AFCON and much more lets us resonate and reminisce on the inspirational story of Victor Moses, whose action goes beyond football because he thought us forgiveness as HE STOOPS TO CONQUER!
Written by
Seth Ogungbe'
But as we celebrate winning the AFCON, it's important not to forget the lessons... For me, apart from the team and the coach, one player should be celebrated more and specially, because he forgave us of our trespasses... He obeyed the clarion call to play for the country that wasn't there for him when religious Fanatics killed his parents same day while he was just 11yrs old. When he scored twice against Ethiopia, there is the possibility that some of the people that shouted A GOAL! !! ... may have killed or be related to those who killed his parents... Bitter Irony!
Victor Moses, the 11 year old boy in 2002 , whose parents was killed , now 11 years after stood to help his fatherland restore its pride. Even-though he had the opportunity to play for England, yet, he obeyed the clarion call of his fatherland. He wore the famous green and white jersey, he placed his right hand on the badge on the chest near his heart... Even though he didn't utter the words of the anthem ( because he may not have sang it before) he demonstrated the essence of the anthem with passion, skills and determination...thats is because he understands what PATRIOTISM is. He played to restore his country's pride that have ben lost for 19 years and played to the delight of all Nigerians, a section of whom may have made him an orphan.... He did it because he understood FORGIVENESS!
In line with my thought, let me insert the thoughts of Dele Momodu (Ovation)...
This is the story of a young boy whose parents were murdered during 2002 riots in Kaduna. He was aged 11 years at the time. His parents, Mr Austine and Mrs Josephine Moses, were missionaries until they met their untimely death. The boy left his house to play football but returned home to see that all his parents had laboured for had been razed down and he would never see his mother and father again.
He was taken to London by his uncle almost immediately after the incident. While in London, he began deploying his football skills. Though his parents were murdered, his passion for football was never killed. He played football for his school and later for a local Tandrige League club until Crystal Palace FC approached him. From that point, his career progressed in leaps and bounds.
This player played for England's under 16, 17, 19 and 21 teams between 2005 and 2010 scoring 11 goals for England during this period. He later moved to Wigan Athletic and now he plays for Chelsea. This footballer is called VICTOR MOSES.
His story is a touching one, I share his pains. I also share his courage. He had a choice not to step into Nigeria again but he didn't take that option. When the call to serve his fatherland came, Moses dumped England and embraced Nigeria... That is patriotism!
Today, we see a Victor Moses bringing joy to every Nigerian including those who may have inspired his parent's death... That is Love!
On Sunday, Moses would stand for the National Anthem and pledge allegiance to a country that couldn't defend his parents... That is faith!
Moses would deliver the "African Cup of Nations" trophy to Nigeria not minding what had happened in the past... That is forgiveness! Moses rose through bitterness and despair to the limelight of hope and courage.
He never gave up on his country. He persevered... That is purpose!
If someone like Victor Moses, despite the bitter past, never gave up on Nigeria, then why should we..? ONE NIGERIA! ONE PEOPLE! ONE DESTINY
Those were the exact thoughts of Dele Momodu, so as we sing and dance... We are the champions of Africa, lets us remember the doggedness and determination the boys expended even while many of us wrote them off even before they had kicked the first ball at AFCON and much more lets us resonate and reminisce on the inspirational story of Victor Moses, whose action goes beyond football because he thought us forgiveness as HE STOOPS TO CONQUER!
Written by
Seth Ogungbe'
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