Last Sunday the world watched with excitement the opening ceremony of the festival of football in Qatar.
And for 28 days the attention of the football-loving world will be focused on this little rich country of less than three million people.
But Qatar is not complaining because it is the richest state per capita in the world. As of 2012 Qatar had proven oil reserves of 15 billion barrels and gas fields that account for more than 13% of the global resource. Infact, none of its over two million residents live below the poverty line. There is less than 1% unemployment in Qatar.
In this year’s competition, Brazil will also be a team to watch because of its star player Neymar who has so far scored 75 goals in 121 caps for Brazil. Pele’s record is 77. Neymar can lead Brazil to victory if he can keep his bad temper in check but in the World Cup nothing is certain. There are always surprises, new and young heroes and the dethronement of reigning heroes.
By FIFA’s ranking, Senegal is the number one football nation in Africa. But it does not stand much of a chance in this World Cup. Its talisman and Bayern Munich star, Sadio Mane, has had surgery on his foot but his name still appears on the team’s list and the expectation is that if he misses the opening match he may be fit for the other matches. That is dicey.
But for the true lover of football like me the attraction remains whether Nigeria is there or not. I will also be watching out for a 22-year old guy named Noah Okafor, who will be wearing the jersey of Switzerland in Qatar. That is obviously an Igbo name. He plays for Red Bull Salzburg and was the one who scored the first goal for Switzerland in their 4-0 win over Bulgaria. It is that win that took Switzerland to Qatar. He is attracting the attention of big clubs in Europe.
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