sailed through as they had more goals in aggregate . Babayaro Celestine and Jay Jay Okocha scored a piece each to keep Mexico off the semi-finals .
Meeting Brazil a second time in the Semi ’ s was feared to be their last game . The game seemed imbalanced with mesmerizing moves by the star-studded Brazil side . They stood at 3-1 in favor of Brazil at half time . There was no chance for a startup like Nigeria . With an almost sure win , the Brazilian coach Zagallo rested his key strikers . Assuming they had already won . Adding to the lone goal Babayaro had volleyed in , the then little known Ikpeba Victor came on and in the 78th minute made it 3-2 . After missing a penalty Okocha placed a ball before Kanu who was 3 yards out of the Brazilian goal and facing the wrong way . His famed swift turns that earned him the Papilo nickname which means butterfly saved the day as he sauntered another to make it level . Earning them the required extra time that saw a golden goal that turned the stadium and whole of the Africa in a frenzy making it 4-3 !
There are numerous lessons we learn from this analogy and which I enumerate hereunder :
The Team Has To Buy Into Your Cause
Let the business have a cause bigger than the cumulative issues in the team or their individual challenges . It is true the economic environment is a problem nationally and worldwide . Government policy is not encouraging either but don ’ t use these as excuses to underperform . Get your team rallied unto the greater good .
I like the new Standard Chartered Bank ’ s slogan “ Here for Good ”. They look at all their service offerings as adding up to the greater good of the society . Opening an account means they enable you to trade . With an account you can make payments and receive such seamlessly . This grows your business ; you then qualify for financing products that help you grow the more . Your growth creates opportunities for many others . Jobs for those you need for your next level , partners get business from you as suppliers of various aspects including raw materials , logistics , value addition and many others .
Your growth further creates opportunities for those with savings which the bank
invests in you , other entrepreneurs like you and even government . The taxes collected from your account and many others fuels government good initiatives . The cumulative effect of their work and your growth therefore makes GOOD their cause . If you take time to understudy the 1996 Nigerian Football Team , their individual struggles , the politics of their country that almost made them miss out among other issues you will understand we have no excuse but to be great .
Consolidate Each Team Members Strengths At The Right Time
An unknown substitute saved a crucial win . Sometimes to charge the morale of a team you need a nondescript member . Victor Ikpeba was passionate , fresh and his ambition to play on an international stage was unstoppable . An intern , a cleaner , a junior staff or any unlikely team member could be what you need for your best win yet .
Never Assume A Win
Do whatever it takes ! Use your best resources even when you are poised to win . Never claim it until it is safely bagged in ! Brazil assumed a win in the 78th minute . Nigeria used the remaining 12minutes to add two goals that put their win in contention by leveling the scores before the 90th minute . And that was the morale they needed for Papilo to further dismantle their ego for a win 8mins into extra time .
Never Give Up
Fight to the end ! Keep the morale high throughout the challenging times . Many of us give up too easily . When problems knock at our door , we not only get startled but bangle up everything . Many of our problems within teams , rising taxes , business governance issues even statutory compliance issues require a calm approach . When we panic our mojo cows within us and we lose miserably . Coach Jo Bonfrère and his team had an option to give up . They had not been paid their allowances , the country ’ s sports officials disliked him and each player was in a fight of their own . They instead kept their cool and analyzed their diminishing chances . They opted to push with all they had and the outcome is celebrated even today !
You Need Team Members That Can Double Up
Jay Jay Okocha , Amonike , Amokachi , Oliseh , Kanu , Babayaro , Babangida and others played midfield , defense yet they were strikers . A story is told of our own Harambee Stars in 1996 when they went to play Algeria in qualifier match in
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