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Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
Ahead of the World Cup, the Nigerian team was among the trending topics mostly not for their footballing abilities but their retro Nike jerseys.
According to Nike, the jerseys sold out on the first day in less than an hour (three million orders). The Nigerian jersey gained global attention when it was revealed earlier in the year, and with good reason - it's brash and simply unlike anything else out there. In a tournament bogged down by generic kit templates, Nigeria's stands out as the best.
As Nigerians and football lovers gathered at a fan zone at the Hilton Doha late on Saturday night, the atmosphere was that of expectation as the Super Eagles took on Luka Modric-led Croatia.
At the sports bar, hundreds of fans enjoyed the game on huge TV screens and an array of smaller screens so one will not miss any second of action. Beverages, food and snacks were available, and prizes could be won for participating in various games just outside the diner.
But it was to be a disappointing night for the Super Eagles. Nigeria lost the game 2-0 in a match most felt they could have done better.
Arinze Charles, a Nigerian who has been in Doha for over five years said,"This is amazing, the screens, the anticipation and the World Cup. The fan zones have made it more interesting for people to watch the game and I'm glad I came out here today.
"This makes me wonder how the World Cup 2022 Qatar would feel like," he added.
Commenting on the team's chances, he said,"It was fairly balanced, but we were unlucky not to score. These were three points wasted and the team has to pick at least a point against Iceland."
The boisterous atmosphere turned sour as Modric sealed victory for Croatia from the penalty spot.
As Qatar prepares towards 2022, the fan zones across the nation have brought residents closer to the World Cup spectacle, one imagines how euphoric the 2022 edition -- the first in the Middle East -- would be.
