Flicks: Obubra World Cup trophy for Eagles

 By Tony Ubani, in South Africa

I have been privileged to see, touch and take pictures with the World Cup trophy many times. My first time was in 1998 with our former Editor, Frank Aigbogun, Advert Manager, Flora Achibong and Corporate Affairs Manager, Victor Omoregie. Vanguard had a partner with Coca-Cola and FIFA recognized Vanguard for their coverage of the World Cup and honoured us with the trophy.

I am better than many African players who only see the prized trophy on TVs and newspapers. I was surprised when I went to down town in South Africa, Market Street in Johannesburg and saw that it was a mini Nigeria. I saw Nwanyi Obosi Restaurant where you can eat Nigerian meals away from Nigeria.

It was a typical Nigerian street where people shout and do business in our many dialects. The Police also parade and keep an eye on them. I was shocked when I was ushered into the office of the Chairman of South African Supporters Club(Nigeria), Osita Tony Okeke.

There was this giant World Cup trophy with Dr Rafiu Ladipo. He said that he was taking it back to Nigeria since the Eagles could not win anything. We laughed. My memory flashed back to a time when Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, were enmeshed in a similar scandal. A team from Obubra in Cross River went to represent Nigeria in a Gothia competition in Norway or Denmark.

The Nigerian team got to the venue when the competition was over due to late arrival emanating from flight connections and late approval of money for the tourney.

Instead of coming home empty handed, the officials bought a giant trophy and ;presented to Government on arrival posing as the winners of the competition. Receptions were held for them and red carpet rolled out for the ‘winners’. Government graciously dolled out money for their efforts. There was no internet and making a call abroad then was like a cow passing through the eye of the needle. Both the players and officials kept a sealed lip and savoured all the praises and the gifts. The lid was blown open and they all went into hiding. I still remember Ikeddy Isiguzo’s headline titled ‘Obubra Brouhaha’. Some of the officials were banned from holding office but they are walking the streets free and even directing our affairs in sports. I reminded Ladipo about the  scandal. If he brings the trophy, I know it would end up in his office as a souvenir. The world is not only a global village but Nigerians are aware and watched the proceedings on TV.

Sylva’s fake Rand dilemma

At times, size matters. If not for the size of our photographer Sylva Eleanya, he would be cooling off in Prison by now. Sylva had taken a cab on assignment and gave the driver 500 rand and waited for his change. The driver inserted the money in one of the machines to pay his toll and vomit the change. But instead of pouring out the change, the money triggered alarm. The driver also raised alarm and accused Sylva of being one of the Nigerians involved in printing and circulating fake 500 Rand in South Africa.

Before you could say jack, hefty police men doubling Sylva’s size emerged. Sylva explained that he was here covering the World Cup and presented his accreditation. He informed that the money was given to him from where he changed his American dollars. While they listened, Sylva was the one now shouting that they were embarrassing him. A senior officer came and settled them and told Sylva not to change his money at black markets, again.

He explained that they had stopped using the 500 rand because of fakes but that dubious people are still printing the fakes to miss it up with the genuine ones. Sylva alerted me and I was speechless. Imagine where Sylva would be thrown into prison without heater in this freezing cold.

Even in the heater, he still complains of cold and drinks hot tea  like ‘Abubakar’. For a man who eats eba and akpu in the morning in Nigeria to be drinking tea in South Africa to be put behind bars, that would have been double wahala for dead body according to Fela. I prayed and covered him with the blood of Jesus.

You’ll be deaf after the World Cup

My South African friend, Dorothy has predicted that I would be deaf after covering he World Cup. I know she is nowhere near a born again or to be possessed by the holy spirit to get the gift of prophesy. She can only be possessed by bad spirit or the spirits that are consumed to fight the cold. I asked why she was wishing me bad luck after being nice and friendly to her? She apologized but was not sorry. She said that the rate at which I was working and go to the stadium would make me deaf because of the noise of the vuvuzela. The vuvuzela has come to stay despite the condemnation from different quarters. As many teams and their fans head home after the first round, you still see them strapping the vuvuzela on their backs as souvenirs. When I return and you call and I don’t answer, you would forgive me and know the reason.
United by history, divided by victory

Before the start of the World Cup, not many pundits gave the Black Stars of Ghana any chance of surviving the first round. All hopes of carrying Africa’s cross in the World Cup was placed on the shoulders of Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and South Africa. But the Black Stars are the ones shining so bright and receiving all the plaudits from Africa. During the match against the Yanks of USA, it was the USA that defeated the USA. United States of Africa beat the United States of America. Its good riddance to America. At least, security would be relaxed. No team in the world Cup have been so protected in the air or on land than the Yanks.

Ghana's striker Asamoah Gyan (L) celebrates with a teammate after his team won the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match USA. Photo: Getty Images.

Nigerians who are in South Africa are supporting Ghana but not with all their might. Even as they grumble over the dismal performance of their team, they reason that Ghana would not allow Nigeria to be if they past the quarter finals. If they survive Uruguay because of the number of suspensions of their players, Ghana might perhaps become the first African team to get the final. Their strength lies in the fact of youthfulness. The Ghanaian team are made up of young players and six of them are from the local league. Needless to say anything about our Super Chickens.