My earliest FIFA World Cup memory was Nigeria’s flamboyant run at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. In fact, that tournament, added to the Atlanta ‘96 Olympics gold shaped my childhood dream of experiencing football inside a US stadium.
As soon as I obtained the US visa, the first thing I did was to apply for a Media Match Ticket for the England vs Ghana game billed for the Gillette Stadium, Foxborough. I wanted to pay a visit to the stadium that shaped my childhood football memory from 1994.
Although the old stadium was demolished, the new one built just adjacent to the land of the old one still brought nostalgic feelings especially as some of the architectural designs were retained for this open roof edifice.
Due to transportation exigencies, I arrived slightly late for the game but I was able to take my spot at the pitch side, taking snapshots of the gladiators on the pitch from my position.
A beautiful facility
The Boston Stadium (as the Gillette Stadium is also known as) in Foxborough captivated me with its design. The eastern stand of the facility was constructed in an open-way manner which ushers fans directly to the entertainment shops built therein.
This design means that fans have unlimited access to in-game refreshment in the mall-styled outlets linked to the terraces and it also makes exiting the facility seamless after games.
Like a pilgrim to Jerusalem who was seen worshipping at Golgotha, I spent some time behind the goal post where Super Eagles legend Finidi George scored against Greece in Nigeria’s final group game and worshipped there (metaphorically).
I also put a phone call to the legend to inform him of what I had done. It was a dream come true for me and to be honest, whether many people liked the architectural design or not, it fascinated me because I had not seen something like that before.
Free popcorn but expensive Sprite
Due to the nature of my trip from Newark, New Jersey to Foxborough, Massachusetts on that Match Day, I took neither food nor water till after the game ended around 6pm local time.
I tried to get something to eat before something bad happens – if it goes viral that a journalist from Nigeria collapses, these American doctors may be diagnosing heat stroke or what have you, not knowing “na hunger”.
However, I was shocked at the speed with which the shops closed down within fifteen minutes after the final whistle. One of the attendants in a snack shop then offered us a salty popcorn package as they were closing immediately.
I took the popcorn and decided to have Sprite with it. Well, like I saw in a Pooja post on X, the 500 nairas worth of Sprite cost me 8.5.0 US dollars. An hungry man doesn’t have a choice.
I returned back to my base in Newark via a 1:30am bus, meaning that I spent about three hours at the very cold Bus station in Boston before the takeoff time. The adventure in Donald Trump’s country continues.
