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The Satisfying Sound Of Silence: Cricket World Cup 2023

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By Musa Ehizoje Bodie


Australia’s Victory against India on home soil is damning evidence of why they are the best Cricket team in the world. They lost their last 2 matches in the 2019 world cup and their first 2 matches in this world cup which is the longest losing streak they have encountered in world cup history.

However, there is a popular saying that, allow Australia reach the semifinals, you may as well kiss the world cup goodbye and that is exactly what played out. 


In their last group game, a masterclass from *Glen Maxwell* with 201 runs off 145 balls and a cramped left leg, produced the best individual score in a run chance since the history of the world cup to gift them a semi-final spot.

The Semi-final against South Africa was a repeat of 1999 world cup with the infamous *Alan Donald* scenario that can be likened to ‘’Lots wife’’ in the Bible who looked back why fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah’ and turned into a pillar of salt.


Fast forward 24 years later, Australia did just enough with *Josh Inglis* playing the Night watch man to see Australia home. A definition of cricket being a ‘’waiting-game’’ was displayed in the death when *Mitchel Stark* and *Pat Cummins* held on to a victory that will see South Africa wait for another 4 years at least. If there is a team that performs best under intense pressure, that will be Australia because they will play under their own steam and decide what is considered pressure or motivation and the deafening *‘Sound of Silence’* to a crowd of over 90,000 India supporters will be the second-best reward after the trophy itself and that is the story of the Cricket World Cup 2023. 


This victory makes it 6 in 13 attempts and three times more than any other country, no wonder comments around the world have included “Heartbreak most poignant – in the dashed hopes of Captain Rohit Sharma and Coach *Rahul Dravid* of India”,  ‘’Hard for me not to believe in Miracles – Marnus Labuschagne* of Australia’’, ‘’Australia saved the best for last – *Captain Pat Cummins* of Australia’’, ‘’These are the moments that you’ll remember for the rest of your life – *Travis Head*’’, Player of the final match with his brilliant 137 runs that ensured Australia went home with  the trophy.

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Gusau Praises  President Tinubu, ValueJet crew for diligence and endurance

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 Joel Ajayi


The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday expressed the deep appreciation of the NFF and the Nigeria Football family for the warm words of encouragement from the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR following the Super Eagles’ return from a better-forgotten Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match adventure in Libya.

On Monday, Mr. President put out a statement warmly welcoming the team back to home, and asking for prompt justice from the Confederation of African Football following the inhumane treatment of the Nigerian contingent. Mr. President also commended the proactive coordination between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of the players.

“We hereby express our deep and sincerest appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his warm and kind words of encouragement. These words have gone a long way to reassure the players of the firm support of the Government and people of Nigeria for what they do and the efforts and sacrifice they make in representing this great country.

“The commitment and love for the team by the Government and the entire nation was aptly demonstrated by the physical presence of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh at the airport to welcome the team back to Nigeria.

“Mr. President as the father of the nation, has once again demonstrated his concern and keen interest in the beautiful game of football that unites our peoples from all walks of life and across all known mental, physical, spiritual, political and economic boundaries, and which fosters national unity and friendship among peoples and nations of the universe.”

Gusau, who led the delegation to Libya, also commended the captain and crew of the ValueJet aircraft that flew the delegation to and from that country, saying that their patience, diligence, good manners, warmth and endurance made the trip less arduous for the contingent.

“The captain (Mr. Abdul-Latif) and crew were awesome. I must commend, in particular, the captain. He did his job professionally and with a touch of excellence, and even intervened at a point to talk to the airport operatives to allow the NFF leadership to go outside the airport to find a way to hire vehicles for the team. As a fellow North African (Tunisian) who had worked in Libya previously, they were ready to offer him hotel accommodation but not any other member of the crew or any Nigerian, as all the hotels in the city disclosed that they had strict orders not to welcome any Nigerian nationality. He refused their offer and rather opted to sleep in the aircraft with the rest of the crew.

“The captain and crew showed great maturity and kindness. We will never forget them.”

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