BY Emma Asie (MR E)
Immediately after yesterday's disappointing loss to host Cote D'Ivore (CIV) in the AFCON finals, 3 major lessons of life came to my mind and i shared it immediately with my family.
LESSON 1.
IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW YOU STARTED OR EVEN WHERE YOU ARE NOW. ALL THAT MATTERS IS WHERE AND HOW YOU END UP
CIV had the most embarrassing and most disappointing start for a host country. Winning their opening match against minions Guinea-Bissau but losing their next group stage matches (1-0 to Nigeria and an embarrassing 0-4 to Equatorial Guinea) they were completely written off as the worst host ever in the AFCON tournament. It took a miracle and some football mathematics to make them go through to the 2nd stage as Best losers. Mark the word loser.
Ecclesiastes 7;8a.. "Better is the end of a matter than the beginning thereof..."
Zechariah 4:10a..
"Do not despise the days of small (humble) beginnings..." (NLT version)
In life how did you begin? Did people laugh at you? Mock you? Were you so poor that even the poor call you poor? Were all your efforts and prayers not yielding desired success? Even now, are you failing and disappointed in your self? The Ivorians were down 0-1 by Half time yesterday. THE GREATEST LESSON OF LIFE IS DON'T GIVE UP! KEEP STRIVING AND STRUGGLING POSITIVELY! ONE DAY YOU WILL RECEIVE A BREAK THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR STORY LIKE THE IVORIANS DID! DESPITE THEIR VERY EMBARRASSING BEGINNING, TODAY THEY ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF AFRICA!
The greatest prize is not even to make it in life but to make Heaven.
Rmbr Jesus was born in a humble manger!!
LESSON 2
DON'T GET TOO COMFORTABLE EVEN WHEN YOU ARE WINNING
The Super Eagles were a promising side. With the reigning African player of the year and the best striker on the continent, we were one of the most favoured to lift the trophy even ahead of the host nation and eventual winner. We had all it takes. We had a fairy tale ride all through the tournament, not losing any match (worst was an opening 1-1 draw against Equitorial Guinea who later beat hosts 4-0 in an embarrassing group stage). But we played a lethargic football, mainly defending and not really attacking much all thru the tournament. Our defence was good no doubt and our goalkeeper was exceptional, infact the best keeper in the tournament. But when you rely so much on defending and make little or no forays up front, chances are you may crack. There s limit to what a man can take. COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL. DON'T GET TOO COMFORTABLE EVEN IF YOU ARE WINNING.
Rmbr the impenetrable walls of Jericho eventually fell!
In Ephesians 6:10-18, We have both the SHIELD OF FAITH and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT (Word of God). We are to use both in equal and necessary measures. If we relied to much on our faith as a sheild, we may not last all through. We need the Sword (word of God). Ephesians 4;3.. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
Rmbr even Jesus Christ did not rely on his faith or his position as the Son of God to defeat Satan at the temptation (Matthew 4; 3-10 and Luke 4;1-10). He relied on the sword of the Spirit which is word of God.
So what do you rely on?
Your current lead?
Your past glory?
Your skill, training and experience?
Your confidence?
Your faith?
Your strength?
Your current strategy?
While all these matters very much in football and in life, be aware that they may disappoint you. You need something extra.
You need the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. You need the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
LESSON 3
DON'T WAIT UNTILL LAST MINUTE TO START PUSHING
In that Finals, the Super Eagles were almost lethargic all through. Absorbing shocks upon shocks and waves upon waves of attack especially from Haler, Adringa, Kesse and Fofana (the Fearsome Four of Ivorian attack). The Eagles did not change tactics or players. Relying on past records of victory against the Elephants (we beat them 1-0 at the group stage, relying on our defence especially the very exceptional Goalkeeper Nwabali. And relying on luck.
We got a lucky break just before half time with the unexpected goal by Skipper Troost-Ekong, a defender. But we could not hold onto that slim lead as almost immediately the halftime began, the Ivorians equalized. But still unlike the Super Eagles, they still continued pushing and striving for more goals while we dug in and allowed them to have the ball, thinking and hoping we can weary them out. But like indefatigable and untiring elephants, they persisted and their efforts paid up when they clinched a not surprising lead in the 81st minute. THEN THE NIGERIANS WOKE UP and played as they should have played right from the onset. But it was too late. With a ball possession of 65-35 percent in favour of the Ivorians and a shot on target of 8-1, that finals ought to have ended in a disgraceful 8-1 loss to Nigerians, if not for the exceptional efforts of Goalkeeper Nwabali. But our efforts in the very last 10 minutes of the game showed that the Super Eagles adopted the wrong tactics and were not fluid enough to change it early enough. So they lost. Outplayed and lost.
In life, how flexible are you?
Do you wait till the last minute to start pushing for victory or do you start from the very beginning?
Rmbr the last minute grace that was available to that thief on the cross with Jesus Christ may not be available to everyone.
The Bible urges us in 1 Corth 9;24 "In a race (competition) everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run in a way that you will get the prize" (NIV version).
Also see Philippians 3;13-14 (don't assume you have won. Keep pressing onward).
In life you may need to change styles or approaches and strategies. But let your eyes always be focused on the target- the prize. (Phil 3;14). Fight the good fight (1 Tim 6;12). Give your all. Don't hold back. Change strategy early enough (if need be). As 2024 slogan goes, Kwechiri, no gree for anybody.
But be flexible enough to change and adapt EARLY ENOUGH.
Again Eccl 9:10 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest" Give your ALL, RIGHT FROM YOUR BEGINNING. Don't wait till the dying moments to wake up like the Super Eagles. That grace of a late bloomer may not be available to you. The Miracle of Dammam (in Saudi 1989 where Nigeria came up from a 4-0 defeat against Russia to win the Quarter finals on penalties) did not happen yesterday. Miracles don't happen every day! Make your own miracle by your strategy and skill.
Had it been the Super Eagles played the 90 minutes the way they played the last 10 minutes, who knows, Nigeria may have won the game because we parade the better side. BE FLEXIBLE WHILE FOCUSING ON THE PRIZE!
I shared these points with my family last night and we prayed over them
Congratulations to the Elephants of Cote D'Ivore for a well deserved victory
Congratulations to The Super Eagles of Nigeria for a great tournament. Coming second is no mean feat.
We are all winners
Lets keep striving and pushing to victory in life!
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