Isaac Promise’s Death: A Rude Shock, Doha Waste, Brazil Friendly . . . News

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Isaac Promise’s Death: A Rude Shock, Doha Waste, Brazil Friendly . . .

By Daily Sports on October 7, 2019

It was a sad one last week when the news of the death of former international, Isaac Promise, who died in active service filtered in via a statement signed by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), albeit without details.

The story is that Isaac is no more and it is confirmed. Its shock waves still linger and would remain for some time on some of us that at one time or the other had had close contact with him. He was jolly good and a great lad. He is not like many of his fellow typical snobbish Nigerian player mates. Isaac was kind and truthful. He was a good example to a near-perfect young man that understood the tune of the time and never talks or looks down on people he came across.

The issue here is that whatever must have killed Isaac came at a very wrong time. It remains a mystery to this writer how he died and left pains to the family and close friends. Although one may say that is good to leave this nasty country called Nigeria or even the earth with its challenges, yet his exit is untimely. To be honest with you, the late young lad was a perfect example of humanity. You can see again that good things don’t last. Isaac left this nasty Nigeria when he was needed most.

He was one of the very few Nigerian internationals you can easily reach anytime and he would gladly answer your questions. The former U-23 Eagles captain would forever remain green in the minds of many that one way or the other came across him. Isaac rest on but you left when much was being expected from you by your family and numerous fans across the globe. May your young soul rest in peace…Amen!

Nigeria was in the Doha athletics Champion where the best legs in the World converged and tried themselves for size. Nigeria was there and what came out of it were the avoidable distractions of our representatives.

Blessing Okagbare and company attracted to themselves bad news and as usual, came home as just participants to the showpiece. I don’t know if athletics is growing or not. I stand to be corrected, since the retirement of Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Faliat Ogunkoya-Osheku and our men; nothing spectacular has come out of athletics. These women were extraordinarily determined to the extent that they retired with Olympic medals.

After that, no Nigerian male or female athlete has aimed at the sky. It may be safe to conclude that the time of Onyali-Omagbemi, Ogunkoya-Osheku and their relay team marked the end of an era.

Athletics watchers have been witnessing nearly or outright non-performance. It will not be an understatement to say that it became frustrating to witness the dismal outings from Blessing Okagbare and her team including the men. The current state of sports in Nigeria ordinarily ought to undergo thorough soul searching and also a sober reflection in all facets.

I am not scandalised though because you got to have s steel-like heart and that of gold, like Mary, Faliat and others to stay on and get results.

As this page did say oftentimes, sports are on the brink of decline in the country. The posture of the more you look the less you see syndrome, that has engulfed the country leaves much to be desired, to say the very least.

Let me say without any prejudice, that a thorough soul searching by the administrators and the Sports Minister if he is not given to lip service, would go a long way in turning around the beleaguered sector. I still hold my view tight that we have found ourselves at this stage of the more you look, the less you see by the dummy sold and foisted on us by this lame-duck government. Let us keep our fingers crossed and follow Sunday Dare and his agenda for Nigerian sports.

Come October 13, Nigeria’s Super Eagles would trade tackles with the Brazilian national side in a neutral ground in a Grade A international friendly. Nigeria’s Franco-German handler, Gernot Rohr has long released the names of Nigerian players that would call the bluff of the North American solid side.

Already, the game has been generating ripples across the globe and the tension and the nitty-gritty that attain such football matches, be it friendly or competitive always get top-rated attention and comments.

Brazil and Nigeria matches get top ratings in FIFA and any nation that carries the day would definitely move up the ladder in FIFA rating. Nigeria must rise to the occasion and face their day’s opponent square and with every seriousness it desires gamely.

Kenneth Omeruo has been replaced by Ebuehi which further showed the kind of importance Rohr attached to the now or never grade A encounter. Brazil won’t take anything for granted and so must take on their Nigerian counterparts headlong.

One must state categorically here that while all things cannot be equal and even while I will not expect the unusual from the Eagles, a match like this requires no short cut but rather taking the many times’ world football champion squarely. It will be one tough and significant football match to behold.

As we keenly keep our fingers firmly crossed; it is obvious that there are questions as regards this game on the lips of Nigerians.

As the clock ticks, the attention of football fans is firmly fixed in the direction of the forthcoming encounter. Football is purely practical and no stories. Let us keep on as we pray... We wish our Eagles glorious victory. Keep shooting hard. Till next week!!

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 7, 2019