KOCHI: For the rest of the world, the Spain-Brazil face-off was the only thing that mattered on Saturday. The match previews and post-match analyses were exclusively limited to this contest.
The other match of the day, between North Korea and Niger, was just a sideshow. After the first match was over, the spectator count nosedived from 20,000-something to less than 3,000.
But for Niger, it was a historical moment. Making their debut in the FIFA competition, people back in Niamey — the capital city — and the other eight regions were glued to the screen to watch their boys play.
And the youngsters were marvellous on their maiden outing as they outclassed North Korea by a solitary goal fired in by Salim Abdourahmane in the 59th minute.
That was the moment that their countrymen back home were waiting for. Amid the economic turmoil and other climatic concerns, they needed a win to tide over all difficulties. Anticipating that their boys could just pen history, the match was telecast live on their national television channel and a few private channels. There was public telecast also, with hundreds turning up in the evening to watch the proceedings unfold in the game.
“We have created history and won the first game on our maiden FIFA outing. Our people also were waiting for such an occasion as they were glued to the television screens. They danced and partied the whole night to celebrate the win,” said the team’s assistant coach Hamidou Harouna.
The side’s communication officer Abdel-Malik Koudizé offered more insight on how seriously his people took the match.
“During the last minutes, North Koreans were throwing the kitchen sink in a bid to equalise. I was nervous and so were people back home. I glanced at my phone to see the countdown, and more than 1,600 messages were waiting for me on WhatsApp and Messenger. I put away the phone and continued my prayers for the crazy game to end.”
Malik said his fellow support staff, after the win, did not want the night to end. “When the final whistles were blown, it was like three Boeing flights took off. Such an overwhelming feeling. We felt that the time stood suspended,” he said.
Back in the team hotel, the team fervently celebrated. “They sat together and talked about how big their achievement was. They were awake till 12.30 am and slept till late morning,” sources revealed.
Hamidou revealed that the bigwigs of his country had called the chief of national federation Djibril Hima Hamidou, who is in Kochi, to congratulate.
“So far the government hasn’t announced any rewards, but the bigwigs have called the chief to convey their regards,” he said.
shan.as@newindianexpress.com