Read more about Sports
Pele had been treated for colon cancer, following surgery to remove a tumour in September 2021, and had required regular medical treatment. Days before the start of the World Cup held in Qatar, the Brazil icon was in the news as the world was informed of his admission into the intensive care unit. Sadly, the soccer genius did not survive the ordeal as he passed away at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo. As the world reflects on the life and times of Pele, Nigeria is fortunate to have somewhere in her historical documentaries where the record of Pele is stored and can be retrieved and replayed or reread over and over again for generations to come.
How does Nigeria remember Pele?
It all goes down to January 1969 – a friendly match between the Nigerian national team known then as Green Eagles and the Brazilian club Santos held in Surulere. This was in the heat of the Nigerian-Biafran War (1967-70) In January 1969, during the conflict, the legend, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, travelled to Nigeria with his Brazilian club Santos to play friendlies with the Green Eagles.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
The friendly match between the Brazilian national team and the Nigerian national team (Green Eagles), played in Lagos, was a highly anticipated and publicized event. Santos, led by legendary player Pele, was known for its strong offensive play and fluid attacking style, while the Nigerian team was considered a formidable and physical opponent. The match itself was played at the National Stadium in Lagos and was attended by a large and enthusiastic crowd. The Brazilian team dominated the game from the start, with Pele scoring two goals in the first half to give his team a 2-0 lead. However, reports noted that the Green Eagles were able to equalize, which made the match end in a 2-2 draw. Yet again, Pele was able to honour the nation by playing another match in Benin in the Old Bendel State, right during the civil war. According to reports, hostilities were halted in order to watch the great Pele play. According to Santos’ official website, the then state Military Governor Samuel Ogbemudia declared a public holiday and opened up the bridge that connected Benin with Biafra. Both primary and secondary sources of historical inquiry confirmed that about 25,000 fans trooped into the stadium to watch the historic match where Pele led his team to a 2-1 win over Nigeria. Pele’s performance in the match was particularly noteworthy, as he demonstrated his exceptional ball control, passing ability, and finishing skills. His goals were met with rapturous applause from the crowd and served as a reminder of his status as one of the greatest players of all time.
Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
In addition to Pele’s standout performance, the match also featured a number of other memorable moments, including a stunning, save from the Brazilian goalkeeper and a number of impressive attacking moves by both teams. Overall, the match was an entertaining and competitive showcase of soccer talent and served as a testament to the skill and dedication of both the Brazilian and Nigerian teams. While the outcome of the match may not have been what the Nigerian fans had wanted, the match itself was an unforgettable experience for all involved. It provided an opportunity for the players to showcase their abilities on the international stage, and for fans to witness some of the best soccer talents in the world. The matches in Lagos and Benin will always be remembered as a highlight of Pele’s career, and a testament to the enduring appeal of football as a global sport. And depending on who you ask, Nigeria is one of the luckiest nations to have Pele play on her soil. Featured Image Source: PM News NG
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
You might also like:
- Victor Okoh Boniface Inspires Bayer Leverkusen to First Bundesliga Title
- Video of The Week: Tunde Onakoya Defeats 10 Opponents Simultaneously
- Tobi Amusan Dominates the African Games in Accra
- Anthony Joshua KO’s Francis Ngannou
Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a really good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.Great article! This is the kind of information thatare meant to be shared across the net. Shame on Google for nownot positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my web site .Thanks =)I’ve been an Axios reader since the first newsletter by Dan Primack launched and signed up for Mike Allen’s Axios AM to get my politics fix. I continue to start my day with these and they have served to be very useful in understanding news of the day and what could be coming next (Steve Bannon issued his statement to them exclusively after the fallout from the book so they must be doing something right!).I am deeply saddened by the tone deaf staff picture after a year where diversity was clearly a HUGE issue. Hopefully they got the message and will actively try to recruit from a wider pool so as to get more of our lived experiences shining through in the articles.
This post is very simple to read and appreciate without leaving any details out. Great work!
okbet philippines
100% free dating service meet single 100% completely free dating site plenty of fish dating site of free dating
Of course, your article is good enough, majorsite but I thought it would be much better to see professional photos and videos together. There are articles and photos on these topics on my homepage, so please visit and share your opinions.
I will immediately grab your rss as I can not to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me recognise in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
I Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
online casino philippines