FIFA World Cup: The fever is here again!
Playing at the FIFA world cup for any player is a dream come true. The reason is not farfetched. It is the zenith, the apogee and indeed the summit of soccer artistry.
Thus any player who gets an opportunity to play at the World Cup considers himself or herself best among equals because you just have to be the best to be selected.
A few videos have emerged of players, their family members and friends jubilating after they were named in the squad heading to the next World cup billed for kickoff in Qatar next Sunday, November 20.
The jubilation and disappointment that trail announcement of final squad underscores the importance of the Mundial now in its 22nd edition.
Winning the tournament itself is no bread and butter. It involves hard work and some say with element of luck but the hard work must over shadow luck in this business little wonder only eight (8) countries have won the title since inception in 1930 with Brazil having the most wins with five titles in the kitty and with an eye on the 6th should they emerge victorious in Qatar.
Other winners are Germany (4),Italy (4),Argentina (2),France (2) Uruguay (2) and England and Spain with a title each.
Controversies always trail announcement of national teams ahead of the Mundial with some quarrelling with the coaches’ judgment over his choice on one hand and his explanation as why player A is dropped for player B on the other.
Given the opportunity to choose everybody will pick their own line up based on how good they think a player is, but alas the buck stops on the Coaches’ table and he must be ready to take responsibility for successes and failures. Only coaches who lack confidence or perform below par blame others when a team fails to perform.
When a team fails to qualify like Super Eagles and a legion of other teams/countries that fell by the wayside, it is assumed and rightly so that such a team did not work hard enough considering that the competition holds once in four years just like the Olympic.
It is assumed that within the period you should be able to raise formidable team to play at the highest level. Of course that is on paper.
Some countries by their pedigree are more formidable than others especially those who have a well-structured developmental plan that ensures that young players easily graduate from one level to the other, so that as aging players are bowing out new ones are coming it, better and faster.
The fever of the world cup is already here with us.
Better luck next time to those who failed to qualify, as for the 32 countries including five African countries viz Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon and Ghana who made it, the war is about to begin.
The readiness of every team is about to show on the pitch and the world and soccer lovers across the globe can hardly wait. Those who will crash out in the first round should take solace that they made it, after all some failed to qualify. But who will emerge victorious come November 18?
Will it be the usual suspects or will a brand new winner emerge. Just relax and wait for it!
Sunday Sportainment