In the passionate arena of Nigerian football, a curious phenomenon takes flight: the “Kalokalo” approach. It’s a dance with doubt, a tango with pessimism, where fans embrace the lowest expectations, only to erupt in joyous surprise when their heroes defy gravity. And as the current AFCON unfolds, the Super Eagles are serving a masterclass in defying the Kalokalo, reminding us that sometimes, the greatest victories blossom from the humblest beginnings.
Remember the whispers before the tournament? The anxieties gnawing at the fans’ hearts? Victor Osimhen, the talismanic striker, was deemed expendable, a scapegoat for imagined failures. The Eagles, in the eyes of many, were destined for another early exit, another feather in the Kalokalo cap.
But then, something remarkable happened. The Eagles, unburdened by the weight of expectation, started to soar. Each game, a step higher, each win, a feather shed from the Kalokalo cloak. The doubters, their voices hoarse from negativity, found themselves cheering, swept up in the rising tide of Nigerian hope.
This, dear reader, is a lesson not just for football fans, but for all Nigerians, young and old. The Kalokalo approach, while tempting in its comfort of cynicism, is ultimately counterproductive. It clips the wings of our dreams, stifles the embers of ambition, and leaves us forever earthbound, staring up at the victories we never dared to believe in.
Instead, let us take a page from the Super Eagles’ playbook. Let us embrace the climb, the stumbles, the unexpected turns. Let us start from the bottom, not with resignation, but with the fierce determination to rise. Let us remember that the 2013 AFCON trophy, hoisted aloft in South Africa, was forged in the fires of early struggles, a testament to the power of unwavering belief.
So, the next time doubt whispers in your ear, the next time the Kalokalo mentality beckons, remember the soaring Eagles. Remember that every great ascent begins with a single step, every victory with a seed of faith. Spread your wings, Nigerians, and let your dreams take flight. For just like the Super Eagles, we too can rise above, defying expectations and painting the skies with the colours of our triumphs.
This is not just about football. This is about life. This is about choosing to believe, to fight, to soar. Let the Eagles be our inspiration, our reminder that even the gravest of starts can give birth to the most glorious victories. Let us fly together, Nigerians, not with the weight of Kalokalo mentality, but with the wings of hope.
@Summit Post News