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The Truth About the India Vs. Nigeria 99-1 Match

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In one way or the other, almost every Nigerian has heard of the mythical match between India Vs. Nigeria that ended with 99 goals to 1 with India being victorious.

Before the advent of the internet, this story successfully thrived among Nigerians, but with the emergence of the internet and easy access to social media, the truth behind the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match was revealed…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

Though there are different accounts of the match, but they all have the following in common:

  1. That the match ended with India scoring 99 goals and Nigeria scoring just one goal.
  2. That Nigerians were unable to kick the ball because the football kept turning to a lion which scared them away.
  3. That Indians later agreed that if Nigeria could score one goal, they would concede defeat.
  4. That Samuel Okwaraji scored the winning goal and lost his life in the process because the ball turned into stone as he was about to kick it.
  5. That FIFA banned India from soccer because they used juju (black magic) in that match.
India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match

Why did people believe the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story?

Even with the absence of the internet back then, this kind of claims should be immediately recognized as lies, the kind of lies they call “big fat lies”. But most people like to acknowledge this story as true with the fact that no one has ever seen India play in an International Football Match. Since no one actually saw India participate in most international soccer games, this gave a little credence to the story.

Another reason this lie thrived for long was that credible information was not easily accessible in Nigeria unlike now that even a 4-year-old child can debunk false claims within minutes with the help of Google. This Nigeria Vs India match story would have been fabricated by one community elder to children during an evening gathering; that’s our take at OldNaija.

What Actually Happened!

On the 12th of August 1989, Nigeria lost one of her best footballers, Sam Okwaraji who died during a football match. We wrote about how he died on the pitch and you can read it here. Sam Okwaraji was the player rumoured to have lost his life in that game when in truth he died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Angola in the 77th minute. He collapsed and died of cognitive heart failure. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN!

Samuel Okwaraji and Green Eagles
Samuel Okwaraji (circled)

So, that is the only truthful thing about the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story, the fact that a Nigerian player died during a football match. That is what these lies was fabricated around. The match was not against India, Nigeria did not lose the match and as you must have guessed, and there were no lions or ball turning into a stone.

Meme
Meme by Campus Bro

Nevertheless, one cannot deny that this kind of story made one’s childhood as a Nigerian.

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Why was India Banned by FIFA?

India was never banned by FIFA. It was India that withdrew from the tournament themselves. Here is how it happened.

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.

Then something happened. You see, when determining the make-up of the 1950 World Cup, FIFA determined that obviously the two defending finalists, Brazil and Italy, would be guaranteed slots. That left fourteen slots that needed to be filled.

FIFA decided that seven of those slots would come from Europe, six would come from the Americas and one would come from Asia.

The problem was that of the four Asian teams that were invited to the World Cup, three of them (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma) withdrew from the tournament before the qualification round.

Therefore, India earned an automatic slot within the World Cup. It would be India’s first time appearing in the World Cup but India, too, withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow them to compete barefoot.

 

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Black Waitress Serves Clint Eastwood, Then He Gives Her A Note. Reading It, She Bursts Into Tears! –

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When Clint Eastwood sat in her section, she had no idea her world was about to turn upside down.

Mia adjusted her apron, glancing at the clock above the diner’s counter. It was nearing 7 p.m., the time when the dinner rush usually tapered off, leaving a slower pace to wind down her shift. For most, the little diner tucked off the highway was just a pit stop—a place to grab a meal before continuing their journey. For Mia, it was her lifeline. At 28, she balanced long hours here with raising her six-year-old son, Jordan. Each tip and every paycheck went toward keeping their modest apartment and paying for Jordan’s growing list of school supplies. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

She moved gracefully from table to table, her warm smile a shield against the exhaustion clawing at her. The regulars knew her story, or parts of it. A few would slip an extra dollar or two when they could, but Mia never asked for sympathy. She had learned early on that the world wasn’t fair, and her only choice was to keep moving forward…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

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Little Girl Was Living Alone In A House After Her Parents Died. Her New Neighbors Saw This –

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This is the story of a teenage girl who found herself alone in a rusted, weathered house after the death of her parents. But when new neighbors moved in, something extraordinary happened one night.

Lily Miller, an 18-year-old, woke up in the middle of the night. She couldn’t sleep, her mind filled with memories of her parents, who had tragically passed away in a car accident six months ago. Ever since that day, Lily had been living by herself in the house her parents built in a quiet area on the outskirts of California. Although life was tough, she was determined not to end up in an orphanage. With that resolve, she decided to look for a job…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

However, finding work proved to be more challenging than she expected. Days turned into weeks without success. Then, one morning, while walking along a sidewalk, Lily stumbled upon a wallet lying on the ground. She picked it up and noticed it contained a large sum of money. Without hesitation, she sought out the owner and returned it to him.

“Thank you so much. It’s rare to meet someone as honest as you. How can I repay your kindness?” said the man, introducing himself as Mr. Roberts.

Lily hesitated but eventually shared her story. Deeply moved, Mr. Roberts offered her a job at his restaurant. Lily accepted his offer with heartfelt gratitude. She worked hard, and it wasn’t long before Mr. Roberts grew fond of her diligence and sincerity.

Lily continued living in her parents’ house because it was close to the restaurant. One night, she noticed that the door to the house next door was open, signaling that new tenants had moved in. The following morning, before heading to work, Lily decided to visit and introduce herself.

When she arrived, the door was slightly ajar. She was about to call out when a thin, pale little girl appeared. Lily felt slightly uneasy but managed a smile.

“Hi, I’m your neighbor. I noticed your door was open, so I came by to say hello,” Lily said kindly.

A young man standing just behind the girl stepped forward and greeted her with a warm smile.

“Hi, I’m Andrew, and this is my younger sister, Emma. It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “I’ve been making some food for my mom; she’s really sick.”

Lily’s heart softened as she realized the siblings had to stay home to care for their ill mother. After chatting for a short while, Lily excused herself and headed to work.

That same day marked an important milestone for Lily—her first paycheck. At the end of her shift, Mr. Roberts handed her a brown envelope. Excited, Lily opened it but was surprised to find more money than she expected. Confused, she went to his office to thank him.

Mr. Roberts smiled kindly and said, “It’s all right, Lily. You remind me of my daughter.”

His voice was calm but heavy with emotion, and tears began to roll down his cheeks. Lily was taken aback. She didn’t understand why he was crying, so she later shared the incident with a coworker. That’s when she learned the truth.

More than 20 years ago, Mr. Roberts had a daughter named Maria. After a heated argument, she ran away with her irresponsible fiancé. Despite searching for her, Mr. Roberts never found her again. Years turned into decades, but his grief and guilt never faded.

Hearing his story filled Lily with empathy. That evening, as she walked home, her thoughts shifted to her new neighbors. She knew life wasn’t easy for them, so she stopped by a store to buy some food.

When Lily arrived at their house, Andrew and Emma were surprised and touched by her gesture. For the first time in a while, they had a nutritious meal. Later that night, Andrew opened up to Lily. He shared how he, Emma, and their mother had moved to this town, hoping for a fresh start.

“Our father squandered the family’s savings on alcohol and abandoned us,” Andrew explained. “To support us, my mom worked tirelessly until her health deteriorated. The doctors said she needs surgery, but we don’t have the money. I would get a job, but I have to take care of her and my sister every day.”

Lily felt a deep sense of pity. She realized she wasn’t the only one going through difficult times. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. Then, looking at Andrew with determination, she promised to do something to help his mother.

Andrew, unsure of what she could do, simply nodded.

The next morning, Lily went to Mr. Roberts’s office, her eyes brimming with tears. She explained her neighbor’s situation, describing the urgency of the mother’s operation, and then asked for a loan.

“I’ll pay you back little by little with my salary,” she said earnestly.

The elderly man listened quietly. After a long pause, he spoke in a calm voice.

“I’ll help this poor woman. I know what it’s like to face such struggles. Don’t worry; I’ll have my manager transfer the money directly to the hospital’s account.” READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Lily was overwhelmed with gratitude. Unable to hold back her emotions, she hugged Mr. Roberts tightly. The old man, moved by her kindness, wiped away tears as he embraced her in return.

That night, Lily couldn’t wait to share the good news with Andrew. However, when she arrived at their house, she found Andrew and Emma looking distraught.

“My mom’s really sick, and we need to take her to the clinic,” little Emma said, her voice trembling.

In that moment, Lily knelt down to Emma’s level and smiled. “It’s going to be okay,” she reassured her. “I found the money for your mom’s surgery. She’ll be fine soon.”

Emma’s eyes lit up, and the siblings hugged Lily tightly, their faces filled with relief and hope.

True to his word, Mr. Roberts transferred the money to the hospital the very next day. A few days later, the doctors performed the operation. It was a success, and their mother’s health began to improve steadily.

Feeling immense gratitude, Andrew accompanied Lily to Mr. Roberts’s office to thank him. As soon as Andrew stepped into the room, his expression changed.

“What’s wrong, young man? Is everything okay with your mother?” Mr. Roberts asked, his face showing concern.

Andrew hesitated. “I don’t know how to say this, but I think I’ve seen you somewhere before. My mom gave me a photo before her surgery. Let me go get it.”

Andrew rushed home, retrieved the photo, and brought it back to show Mr. Roberts. When the elderly man looked at the picture, his face turned pale, and he clutched his chest.

It was a photo of himself as a younger man, standing beside his wife on their wedding day—a photo that had disappeared the day his daughter left home.

Overwhelmed, Mr. Roberts turned to Andrew and asked, “What’s your mother’s name?”

“My mother’s name is Maria Smith,” Andrew replied.

Lily gasped in shock, covering her mouth as Mr. Roberts moved closer to Andrew and embraced him tightly.

As you might imagine, Andrew was confused. But after hearing the owner’s heartbreaking story, everything became clear. His mother, Maria, was the long-lost daughter Mr. Roberts had been searching for all these years.

When the truth was revealed, Mr. Roberts wasted no time visiting his daughter at the hospital. The moment he saw her, he was speechless.

“My God, sweetheart, is it really you? It’s been so long. I’ve missed you so much,” he said, tears streaming down his face as he hugged her tightly.

Maria, recognizing her father, began to cry as well. Holding his hands, she apologized, and he did the same. In that moment, they reconciled, their years of pain melting away.

Mr. Roberts realized then that hiring Lily was a blessing. After so many years, she had reunited him with his daughter and introduced him to his two grandchildren.

For Lily, her bond with Andrew grew even stronger. Over time, they continued to see each other, and a few years later, they got married—a union that brought immense joy to Mr. Roberts and Maria.

At their wedding, Mr. Roberts stood up to speak.

“Who would have thought that a chance meeting could change my life forever? I don’t believe it was a coincidence that we met; I think it was meant to be. You might think I’ve done a lot for you, Lily, but the truth is, you’ve done far more for me than you could ever imagine. Thank you, and welcome to the family. I’m so proud to call you both my family.”

And so, Lily’s life, once marked by loss and loneliness, transformed into one filled with love, family, and new beginnings.

 

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The waitress was fired for saving the old man. But his son showed up and did IT! –

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The usual bustle reigned in the cozy restaurant on the corner of a quiet street. Customers enjoyed their food, and waiters scurried between tables, serving food and drinks. Among them was a young girl named Anya, a kind-hearted and sympathetic waitress who always tried to help every visitor.

That evening, her attention was attracted by an elderly man sitting by the window. He looked tired, and at one point, his face contorted in pain. Anya noticed how he grabbed his chest and immediately left the tray with the order, rushing to him.

“Are you okay?” she asked, kneeling down next to his chair…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

The man could barely answer. His breathing became ragged, and his skin turned pale. Without wasting a second, Anya called an ambulance and tried to calm the man down, holding his hand.

But her noble deed did not go unnoticed by the restaurant administrator, Ivan. He flew up to the girl, seething with anger.

“What are you doing?!” he shouted. “You have work to do! Visitors are waiting for their orders, and you are doing nonsense! It’s not your concern!”

Anya, stunned by this reaction, tried to explain: “But he feels bad! He needs help, and this is more important…”

“Shut up!” Ivan interrupted her. “You’re fired! Pack your things and leave!”

The girl, having difficulty holding back her tears, returned to the utility room to change clothes. At this time, a man entered the restaurant, whose appearance changed the entire course of events. It was Alexey Vladimirovich, the owner of the establishment. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Seeing him, the administrator immediately rushed to him with a greeting, but Alexey’s attention was attracted by the picture: the doctors who had already arrived were helping his father—the same elderly man whom Anya was helping.

“What’s going on here?” Alexey asked sternly.

The doctors explained that if it had not been for the prompt reaction of the young waitress, the situation could have ended much worse. Alexey turned to Ivan.

“And why do I hear that you fired her because she saved my father?”

Ivan began to make excuses, but the owner was adamant. “You’re fired. Take your things and leave.

Anya,” he turned to the girl, “come back, please. And… if you don’t mind, I would like to offer you the position of administrator. A person like you deserves better.”

Anya, stunned but happy, agreed. Since that day, the restaurant has changed. With the new administrator in the person of Anya, it has become an even cozier and more sincere place where people came not only for delicious food but also for warmth and care.

 

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