The long international break for November started on a good note for me but ended in mixed feelings for an average Nigerian gooner. I had blogged of my hopes for the international break and will take a look at the dreams that came to pass and others that vanished in the black hole.
My Hopes vs The Reality
1. Nigeria beat Congo and South Africa to qualifer for Equatorial Guinea 2015. Yes, Morocco couldn’t host the January event but will host the FIFA World Club Cup in December. Post for another day. The Eagles have an uphill task. Will Keshi, back from mini-sack, get the Eagles 6pts from 2 games?
Reality: Nigeria did beat Congo in Point Noire but failed to beat South Africa in Uyo thus failing to be in Equatorial Guinea 2015. Sone Aluko scored a brace to even save Nigeria from another home defeat.
2. England get victories in the Euro qualifier with the Arsenal boys making the headlines after scoring most or all of the goals. One for Walcott, Welbeck, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Gibbs and Chambers.
Reality: Welbeck grabbed a brace as England defeated Slovenia 3-1. Chamberlain also got his name on the scoresheet from Wilshere’s assist as the Three Lions won at Celtic Park over Scotland. Gibbs played all 180 minutes and Wilshere grabbed two MOTM.
3. Rosicky and Podolski prove Arsene Wenger wrong by being the Cremè de la cremè of their respective national sides. Aha.
Reality: They both started for their countries with Podolski grabbing an assist in Germany 4-0 victory over Gibraltar.
4. Iceland and Poland remain top of their groups with clean sheets for Szczesny. How i love Szc.
Reality: Szczesny got his clean sheet as the Poles defeated Georgia 4-0 to remain top of the group. Iceland lost to Czech losing top spot to Rosicky and his gang
5. Bendtner gets a hattrick and prove on the pitch how his time was wasted last season. Worldbest indeed. I love this guy. Seriously.
Reality: He got a brace as Denmark won away at Serbia 3-1. There can only be one lord Bendtner.
6. Enyimba to trounce Kano Pillars despite losing the league title to the Northern side. The people’s elephant should also get the Nigerian FA cup.
Reality: Enyimba 3-1 Kano Pillars.
7. Roger Federer to teach Andy Murray a lesson. Ooh, he has done that. Fed to win the Tour Finals in London.
Reality: Federer advanced to the final after beating countryman Wawrinka but hurt his back to gift Djokovic the tile.
8. Arsene Wenger to get ready for Manchester United. – Awaiting Reality.
Other highlights of the break includes Faroe Islands’ 1-0 victory in Greece, Sanchez’s goals, Gibraltar’s troll over Brazil;
“Jordan Pérez [Gibraltar goalkeeper].
“We need to concede less than 7 against Germany. Then we can say we are better than Brazil.””
FIFA’s politics and corruption, Cape Verde’s AFCON 2015 qualification and Enigi’s BBM return.
Click here for full details of how the gunners performed in this break.
Enjoy and get ready for the Red Devils
SoccerGunz 