EDITORIAL Who lifts the World Cup 2014 TOMORROW the world’s most prestigious football competition will kick off in Brazil with 32 countries vying for the Gold plated World Cup. FIFA and the Local organizing Committee are committed to making the 2014 World Cup a sustainable event. Through its worldwide reach and global appeal, the FIFA World Cup forms an unparalleled platform for encouraging social and environmental responsibility. THE FIFA confederation Cup 2013 in June saw Brazil’s footballers and enthusiastic crowds fill six state of the art stadiums in a tournament arranged as a dry run for the 2014 FIFA world Cup. Eight teams had qualified with Brazil as host, Spain the reigning champions, Italy UEFA runners up, Uruguay, Mexico, Nigeria, Japan and Tahiti all regional cup champions. BRAZIL has also lined up six of her legends as ambassadors to the world cup; five males representing the times the country lifted the cup while the female among them is a five time world female footballer of the year. WITH all the protests that have trailed the organization of the Brazil 2014 World Cup Brazil wants to re-launch herself into the World Football history again and the organizers have tried to enlightened the tensed opposition that Brazilians gain financially during and after the competition. THE organizers have also introduced the goal-line technology; this will ensure there will be no dubious or controversial goals. SEVEN continents will be represented in Brazil 2014. South America which is tipped to produce the winner because of its state of preparedness and the experience of her teams is being led by host Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay. NORTH, Central America and Caribbean Continent will produce countries like Costa Rica, Honduras Mexico and USA. In the preparation for the World Cup proper Nigeria had tested Mexico and the USA but these countries had exposed the Nigerian team. EUROPE is presenting the largest number of teams to Brazil, and Europe known as the home of professional football is coming with Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nigeria’s opening opponent in Group F. Others are Croatia, England, France, Germany, Greece and Italy. IN that contingent is the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Switzerland. These teams will sure give other continents good run in their games. Especially Spain the reigning champions. Though they were exposed by Brazil in the confederation Cup they surely can pull surprises, France, Germany and Italy can be another thorn to others. ASIA is coming with Australia, Iran another Nigerian opponent in Group F. Japan and Korea Republic. THESE teams are not underdogs going by their antecedents. AFRICA is going to Brazil with her best countries. Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d’Voire and Nigeria are not new to the World Cup but it is high time now that they went beyond the quarter finals. HAVING got every encouragement Africa should prove to the World that she is no longer a meer participant but a continent that will or can win the World Cup. Parading most of their experienced players, the five countries should be able to go beyond the quarter final. NIGERIA is seen as leading the teams after winning the African Cup of Nations and all the backing given to the team by all authorities concerned. NIGERIA’S preparation has not been encouraging as its handlers have bowed to pressure from football administrators to invite players that have no business being in the team. NIGERIA’s build up matches have raised great concerns but as enthusiast have always said, build up matches should not be a basis for assessing a team. But the Super Eagles handlers should do their best irrespective of their personal interest to bring at least silver to Nigerians.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:38:00 +0000