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00:00May 25th is World Football Day, a global celebration of the beautiful game, a sport that speaks every language and unites hearts across borders.
00:16Declared by United Nations, this day honors football's power to build peace, spark unity and drive sustainable developments.
00:29But how did it all begin? And how has football helped shape a nation like Nigeria?
00:37Let's take you back a few years.
00:41From ancient Chinese warriors playing Kuju, to the Greeks with Papestum, to retro ball games in Mesoamerica, humans have always chased the thrill of the goal.
00:54But the game as we know, it took shape in England in 1863, when the Football Association laid down the rules, turning chaotic folk games into the world's most loved sport.
01:09From there, it spread through trade, colonialism and pure passion.
01:16In Nigeria, football arrives with the British in the early 1900s, the first recorded match in 1904.
01:26Calaba, Hope Waddell Training Institute versus the crew of HMS Fishtool, final score 3-2.
01:35By 1933, the Nigerian Football Union was born, and football quickly grew into something far beyond sport.
01:45It became identity, it became resistance.
01:49In the 1930s, a young Unamdi Azikwe used football as a rallying cry.
01:56His club, Zeke's Athletic, wasn't just chasing goals, it was chasing freedom.
02:02Beating colonial teams became a symbol of African strength and unity, steering the spirit that would altogether lead to independence in 1960.
02:15After independence, football became Nigeria's heartbeat.
02:20Post-independence in 1960, the team, known as the Green Eagles, reflected the national flag's colors and competed in the 1960 Olympic qualifiers and 1963 AFCON.
02:36The Super Eagles nickname was adopted in 1988 after a strong AFCON performance formalized by media and post-tournament reception,
02:48distinguishing the senior men's team from the Super Falcons, Flying Eagles, and Golden Eaglets.
02:56The Super Eagles swore lifting the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
03:05And then came the global stage in 1994.
03:08Nigeria's World Cup debut turned heads, led by legends like JJ Okota and Rashidi Yakini, which topped our group, the world took notice.
03:19Icons like Nwankwo Kanu, Sonde Olise, and Jonobi Mikkel kept the flame burning and proved that Nigerian talent could conquer the world.
03:31But in Nigeria, football is more than match day, it's community.
03:37From packed stadiums in Lagos to dusty fields in the north, the game brings people together across tribes, tongues, and time zones.
03:48Initiatives like football for peace-breed divides.
03:52Youth academies build more than players, they build discipline, purpose, and futures.
04:01Football is also a force for change.
04:05It promotes health.
04:06It empowers women through growing leagues.
04:10It aligns with global goals, creating jobs, driving infrastructure, and inspiring progress.
04:18Nigeria has produced stars like JJ Okota, Rashidi Yakini, Uwankwo Kanu, Shegwo Degbami, Steven Keshi, Victor Osime, John Obi Mikkel,
04:32Vicent Enyama, Atemola Lukman, Ahmet Musa, Finidi George, among others.
04:39Stars like Victor Osime carry the torch day while investments continue to elevate the game.
04:49Yes, there are hurdles, but the passion?
04:53That's unstoppable.
04:55The World Football Day, we celebrate more than a game.
04:59We celebrate a legacy, a lifeline, a language of hope.
05:05As the world celebrates football, we remember that in Nigeria, it's more than just 90 minutes.
05:12It's childhood dreams on sandy peaches, neighbors becoming teammates, joy, struggle, unity, and pride.
05:24Here, football isn't just a game.
05:28It's who we are, resilient, united, and always ready to play.