Posted by Story by Onochie Anibeze who was in Algeria on
While Nigerians at home were celebrating Super Eagles's 5-2 victory against Algeria in Oran, those whose ears were to the ground in Algeria were all scared stiff by a story from one Algerian journalist that Angola had offered $1m to the Desert Warriors to beat the Eagles.
While Nigerians at home were celebrating Super Eagles's 5-2 victory against Algeria in Oran, those whose ears were to the ground in Algeria were all scared stiff by a story from one Algerian journalist that Angola had offered $1m to the Desert Warriors to beat the Eagles.
A Nigerian living in Algeria also said that he gathered that Angola had made moves to ensure that Algeria beat Eagles and added that he heard that Angola staked $1m for that. And when the match started, Algeria who were not in contention of either the World Cup or the Nations Cup really put in everything to win as if a victory would fetch them a World Cup place.
It was same Angola that offered Abdel Fatah Essan, an Egyptian referee, $50,000 to favour them in the June 12 World Cup qualifier in Kano. Fatah, a pilot reported to FIFA and opted out of the match. FIFA then appointed the South African referee who was said to have also been approached by Angola to help them escape defeat in Nigeria. The match ended 1-1 and the referee made some questionable calls that appeared to have favoured Angola.
'These Angolans want to go to the World Cup at all costs. They are dead serious," one FA member said, asking this reporter if 'you have heard about the $1m offer to Algerians from Angola,"
Some embassy officials knew about the development but could not confirm if eventually the money was paid. Algerians gave the match their all. And Oran fans still displayed their fanaticism during and after the match, hauling missiles on the bus conveying Eagles back to their Phoenix Hotel and breaking parts of the glass windows. Nobody was hurt but some including director of sports Umar Bindir had taken a dive to avoid being hit.
'If Algerians needed that match to qualify, I don't know what could have happened to us," Suleiman David, chairman of FA's technical department said.
'Countries are fighting to qualify for the World Cup because apart from the pride, glamour and business of football that a qualification would attract, FIFA pays about $8m to all the qualifiers. So you can see why Angola is throwing money up and down to ensure they qualify," Friday Nwankwo Kuja fondly called soccer ambassador said of all the stories and moves close football watchers associated with Angola chase for a World Cup final place.
If Angola beat Rwanda in Kigali in October they will qualify for the World Cup no matter the number of goals Nigeria may score against Zimbabwe.