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Marcos Rojo scored only three goals for Argentina. Two of them were against Nigeria.
His first goal came in 2014 World Cup, when he scored the third goal of Argentina to beat Nigeria in the last game of the group stage. His third goal, scored on Tuesday, was a reminder, coming back once again against Nigeria, and again in the final match of the World Cup group stage, eliminating the Super Eagles. (His second goal was against Paraguay in 2015 Copa America.)
In my mind, Rojo has a deep hatred for Nigeria and everything related to the country, and will stop at nothing until his children are broken mentally and emotionally.
On Tuesday, Rojo hit Kelechi Iheanacho for the first time with a Street Fighter kick, no foul. Then he took his hand in the box, daring the referee and VAR to punish him for a crime as clear, much clearer than his super kick. But he knew that he would walk freely, like an Argentinian Wilson Fisk. And he did it. Of course he's done it.
Finally, to add an injury to the insult, Rojo came out of nowhere to mark an unexpected end to a defender, just when it seemed that Nigeria would progress. Because what is a villain without a big, nasty, decisive moment? A moment reminiscent of an injury earlier? A moment that comes when people have the most hope, while Nigerians around the world believed that their team would qualify for the knockout stage after an inconsistent World Cup?
Rojo – a virulent and vain villain, a veteran of this Nigeria and Argentina match, which has become a rivalry because these two teams are forever doomed to face each tournament – took this moment of committing his cowardly deeds. He is the Grinch, and Nigerians are the citizens of Whoville.
My first memory of the rivalry between Nigeria and Argentina goes back to the 1996 Olympics. I do not remember much of the game – I was barely five years old at the time. At the time – but I remember how everyone in my village in Nigeria was happy when we won. My parents remember this game whenever they talk about the greatness of the Nigerian national team. We beat world power in Argentina to win gold.
Two years ago, Nigeria was announced on the world stage by finishing first in Group D at the 1994 World Cup. Nigeria was in the tournament for the first time. The group included Argentina, Bulgaria and Greece. Nigeria won two matches and lost one. The defeat was produced against Diego Maradona 's Argentina, and as if the world was making fun of Nigeria, Maradona would be kicked out of the tournament after this match for the use of ephedrine.
(The 1994 World Cup inspired one of the world's greatest international football songs):
In 1995, Nigeria was drawn into Group B with Argentina in the King Fahd Cup – which would become the Confederations Cup – and they played a draw.
I fell in love with the national team in 1996. Looking at Kanu Nwankwo, Okechukwu Uche, Jay-Jay Okocha, Taribo West, Emmanuel Amuneke and Tijani Babangida, I started to see the team as as part of my identity. Because of 1996, I grew up believing that Nigerian footballers were among the best in the world, that Nigeria was tied with Argentina.
Then began a long chain Nigeria defeated at the hands of Albiceleste. In 2002, they were both drawn into the F group of the World Cup with Sweden and England. Argentina defeated Nigeria 1-0 thanks to a goal from Gabriel Batistuta, but both teams ultimately failed to advance.
Nigeria did not qualify for the 2006 tournament, but I am sure that if they did, they would be in the same group as Argentina. In 2010, upon returning from Nigeria, they were placed in Group B with Argentina, South Korea and Greece. Argentina defeated Nigeria 1-0, but the match was famous for Nigerian goaltender Vincent Enyeama, performing a series of spectacular jumps to prevent Lionel Messi from scoring.
In 2014, Argentina and Nigeria were part of Group F with Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both teams advanced, but not until Argentina beat Nigeria, 2-3. Messi erased the memories of 2010 by scoring two goals in the first half. Ahmed Musa equaled Messi's total goals, but the latter goalkeeper Rojo scored the winning goal.
It is so that over the years, the image of Argentine players who clashed against Nigeria has inspired fear for me and many other Nigerians. It was not surprising to see Argentina beat Nigeria to qualify on Tuesday. History shows that Nigeria is the only team in the World Cup that they can face, despite the conditions surrounding their team. It did not matter that Maradona was about to be banned from international football, or that now players are mutinating against their manager.
Oh, of course, Nigeria has found a way to beat Argentina in a few friendly matches. They won 4-1 in June 2011 (but lost 1-3 the following September). And last November, this very Nigerian team, revitalized with young players who had won the World Cup qualifiers with ease, defeated Argentina 4-2. Alex Iwobi gave reply to Javier Mascherano before one of the goals, and that was as a sign that this team was destined to go far into Russia.
It is impossible not to hope for something better. Messi scored the first goal, but Nigeria did not tremble. They kept their disciplined defenses and counter-attacks. Then Mascherano decided to give Nigeria a penalty that Victor Moses set aside with a coolness that reinforced the idea that this team might not fall in Argentina like the others did. As the game came in the last minutes, I was almost intoxicated by this hope.
My body was shaking, I was screaming on TV for Nigeria to hang on. Just for a few more minutes. I wanted to feel the joy I felt watching my family celebrate the 1996 victory, even if it would have been a draw. At least Nigeria would move to the next round at the expense of Argentina.
But how can I dare to hope! How dare I believe? As I dare to try to challenge the gods! In my most vulnerable moment, in the 86th minute, the vengeful and vindictive villain, Rojo, made his way into the box and ruined everything.
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