As Nigerians rack their brains on how football could be used to unite Nigeria, social critic and human rights advocate, Aisha Yesufu has advised citizens to make use of ‘football sense’ during election.
An anonymous Nigerian had said: “Apart from soccer, I don’t see anything else that brings us together in Nigeria, we put aside our differences whenever Nigeria is playing a football match against another country.”
Another noted that: “It is no secret that in spite of our diversity, with our over 300 ethnic groups, Nigerians are able to display a unique and uncommon type of Patriotism not seen in other nations, not even in England. There is no Kanuri, Ijaw, Igbo or Fulani. No North nor South. How is this possible? And how can we use this Patriotism to impact our leaders and the masses, to make Nigeria truly the giant of Africa!”
But Yesufu suggested that Nigeria should make use of ‘football sense’ during election adding that religious and tribal sentiments do not give positive results.
The statement followed the victory of the Super Eagles over the South Africa national team, Bafana Bafana, in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nation in Ivory Coast.
In a post on her X handle, Yesufu suggested it could have been a different story if a goalkeeper from the 80s was fielded in place of Stanley Nwabali, the current Eagles goalkeeper.
“Imagine instead of fielding Stanley Nwabali we decided to field a goalkeeper from the 80s because it is his turn.
“Make we dey use football sense during election.
“Religious and tribal sentiments don’t give you positive results,” she wrote.
