DON’T LOSE HOPE

I remember the historic football match between Nigeria and Brazil in Atlanta 1996.
Brazil was the king of global football and they knew it. So, Nigeria losing to Brazil that night       

  would not be a big deal.

Gosh! Brazil dealt with us that night. Till around 77th minutes (about 12 minutes to the end of the game) Brazil was obviously dominating the game. The score line was Brazil 3, Nigeria 1.

Despite the Brazil squad including star names such as Carlos, Rivaldo, Bebeto and Ronaldo,

  Nigerians watching the game still think Nigeria did not deserve such humiliation by Brazil boys,

  we had been beaten mercilessly. Nigerians became angry toward the end of the match;

 many had turned off their Television sets, some were shedding tears

 While few hoped and prayed that we would not be further disgraced with yet another goal.

But the unimaginable happened in the game.At about 78th minutes Victor Ikepba stroke

 from 20 meters to score the second goal, everything changed beyond the 3:2 score line.    

 Pressure came upon Brazil. And hope for the Nigeria players, they became more motivated  

 and began to fire shots from every angle.

Then another miracle, at the 90th minute, just before the final whistle, Kanu Nwankwo turned 

 and flipped the ball over Dida and it was another goal, the equalizer. What a wonderful match.

And there was a rule then, “the Golden Goal”. That the first to score in the extra time wins

 the game. Then came the decisive goal from Papilo in just 3 minutes of the extra time…  

  And that was how the messy game became a message.

A lot can still be done this year to make it a glorious year, the remaining part of the year is   

sufficient to define the whole year. Don't lose hope now. It is too early to give up 

 on your beautiful expectations for this year. It is not over until it is over.     

 Wipe off the tears and buckle your shoes.

In the remaining days, weeks and months of this year, try to;

1. Review
2. Restrategize
3. Relaunch.

Surely, you will win. Resist the pull of fatigue regardless of the past disappointments and delayed gratification.

The Lord is with you