90 minutes for the minister

The Falconets coach, Emmanuel Tetteh Okonkwo famously revealed that a letter from the president was all it took for the country to achieve an opening day victory over Canada. The big question is that after the loss to China, whose letter should be the next to arrive?

There in fact might not be any need for the letter to be sent neither would there be the fear of failure delivery as the sports minister, whose letter we could have been awaiting is here in Moscow in flesh and blood.

In the history of female football and its attendant patronage in Nigeria, never has a top ministerial official, nay the minister himself, ever been present at the hosting venue away from home much more from the very beginning.

The present Nigerian sports minister, Bala Kaoje was on hand to personally cheer the Nigerian girls to the opening day victory over Canada and till the eve of the all important match against Finland which ofcourse is to determine the fate of the young ladies, the minister has never failed to pay his daily visits.

One would even have expected the minister to choose a much more glamorous FIBA world basketball championship holding simultaneously in Japan and indeed a male event ahead of the less recognized women U-20 world championship.

Honourable minister, as an inside source, the girls are indeed proud of you. Your excellency remains the only motivating factor driving the team else it would have been the usual story of neglect as the show of shame in South Africa 2004 is still fresh in our memories.

The squad as a silent wish is praying for a favourable day against Finland to present you a soothing send off to Nigeria as the news is spreading in whispers that other urgent matters are draging you back to the country.

Your excellency, you hold the key to the Falconets success, only tomorrow can you find out.

Opatola Adewole, Moscow, Russia.