The FIFA U20 World Youth Championship as it was then called staged in Saudi Arabia from February 16 to March 3, 1989. The championship otherwise called Saudi 89, had 16 countries in attendance and were drawn into 4 groups of 4 teams each including Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh the Saudi capital.
Nigeria was placed in a tricky group that included host Saudi Arabia, Portugal and Czechoslovakia. The trickiest game was between Nigeria and Portugal in their last group game where the Norwegian referee with his obvious bias towards Portugal saw him flashing 2 red cards against Nigeria before Portugal won 1-0 through Joao Pinto.
If this was a trick, the real drink was then to come from the Soviet Union, then known as the USSR, who defeated all the teams in their group by wide margins, they thus created the atmosphere of fear among the participating teams who were “praying” not to be paired against the Soviet Union in the quarter finals.
The Norwegian referee, Egil Nervick (can’t forget the name) employed so many tricks that destabilized Nigerian team. He issued 2 red cards to Mike Onyemachara and Nduka Ugbade and capped it with 7 yellow cards against one team. With Nigeria losing its final group game to Portugal (they needed a win or at the worst a draw) it became inevitable that we will face the USSR in the quarter finals in Dammam.
I said repeatedly on commentary that the referee had done his worst but that he was not God. I was cautioned later by Ernest Okonkwo and Sebastien Offurum who were in Nigeria to tone down as we were on the international circuit to avoid diplomatic bruhaha with any country.
We made our preparations and moved to Dammam two days before the game on getting to Dammam I discovered I forgot my portable travelling handbag which contained my international passport, my return ticket to Nigeria and of course my estacode. I had to dash back to Jeddah at extra cost, but the good news was that I met my little bag majestically breathing where I left it and lo and behold, everything was intact. And I kept asking myself: What if this had happened at any airport in Nigeria? I leave it to your speculations as the question is blowing in the wind.
In Dammam, we caught up with the Flying Eagles crew and briefly watched their light training after which we all retired to the hotel room of the then NFA chairman Pa Chuba Ikpeazu. Pa Ikpeazu himself a pastor, led us in prayer session, imploring God to remember that the Soviets don’t go to church, but we do, that he should therefore be on our side, otherwise we had no capacity to beat the rampaging USSR.
Fast forward to the D-Day, Saturday 25th February 1989. Venue: Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam. It was like every other day, but our hearts were heavy in contemplation and supplication, our minds focused on the match, a knockout match with a formidable opponent.
We branched to NFA chairman’s room again and met the entire Nigerian contingent in deep prayer session telling the Almighty Father how we wished to win, but that the USSR team looked unbeatable judging by their performance in the group games. Prayers over, we then set off to the stadium and then the match started.
The supporters club led by Dr Rafiu Ladipo were busy drumming away calling on the miracle working God to come and be with us. By 57th minute of play, 4 goals had been scored against Nigeria by Oleg Salenko- 2 goals, Valeri Popovich and Balchva Tedajov. By this time the supporters club of Nigeria had been swallowed by the chants and roars of the Soviets, they lowered their voices and drums, who wouldn’t? Could it be that God did not listen to all the prayers. Wasted moments?
But the miracle” working” God has his plan and about 28 minutes to the end, two quick Chris Ohenhen goals put Nigeria back in the match – well the Soviets and the rest of the world would attest to the fact that we know where the goalposts were, I gloated internally. Sam Elijah scored a third before Ugbade completed the comeback.
My comment as the commentator was, well, God is beginning to respond to our prayers that he listens and answers prayers and that even if we end up defeated, we would have shown the Soviet that “NO be who call first police dey win case.”
Then came the penalty shootout. Anxiety and yet more anxiety as the penalties were taken in turns. It was a marvel and unimaginable spectacle for a team to survive 4 goals down to equalize with just 28 minutes left of play. The anger and shock were written all over the faces of the Soviet players as they get prepared for the penalty kicks.
A miracle of Damman or A Damman Miracle, it was one of the greatest come backs in international football. Celebrations galore that on return we forgot to observe the strict Saudi traffic rule. We fell as we beat traffic at about 3 am in the early morning not knowing, as they say that the “Godfather Never Sleeps”.
Perhaps it’s a very big lesson for Nigeria. Less than five minutes after sirens were blowing all over, chasing our car which forced us to stop. It was a Nigerian driver living in Saudi, but I guess he was overwhelmed by the victory and our noisy jubilation and ululation. I stepped out and the police demanded for my passport which I gave them, they stamped something at the back page, asked me a few questions and allowed us to go. I was told that if I should be involved again in traffic breach, that it would become a diplomatic issue.
How did we win this match against the rampaging USSR? What really happened to the Soviets after scoring four goals?
Analysts blamed the Saudi coach for substituting the USSR key players when they scored 4 goals. Well, whatever anyone may say or analyse, Nigeria had prevailed against the dreaded Soviets and marched forward to the semis with USA whom she defeated 2-1 and then Portugal again where unfortunately, we lost by 2-0 in the final.
The Saudis hosted well with overwhelming out pouring of hospitality and gifts at every turn but my most cherished item was coming home with an artistically designed semblance of the cup which I still kept till today after 36 years of the championship, but we had a lady who coordinated our broadcasts.
She was forced to be covered in hijab all through and one of us made to sign undertaking that she was married to him for her to be allowed to be in a hotel, but the Saudi rejected outright our plea to allow her to enter the stadium. Despite this, we enjoyed ourselves, I still remember those desert tents where we dined and wined and one person made to face one whole grilled goat on his table. In appreciation, we signed a petition to persuade the Saudi authorities to bid for the FIFA world cup. FIFA will be at home in Saudi during the World Cup as they were in Qatar.
On a personal level, I failed in my attempt to join our Muslim brothers in FRCN and NTA coverage teams that went for lesser Hadj. I was bounced off at the “Last Exit” gate for Christians after I had passed through other gates with warning signs for Christians to exit before entering the holy city of Mecca. At least I tried!
Saudi’89 memories will linger on in our minds especially our exploit against the USSR in the quarter final, The Dammam Miracle!!
On a final note, and a point to ponder! In 1989, we met the exchange rate of the Saudi Riyal [SAR] at 3.74 to the US dollar, we left at that rate and today the exchange rate is just the same,
