Nigeria Crowned World Champion - A Telenovela Victory!

After 14 years in the lurch, Nigeria's lost football glory was restored this afternoon by the Under-17 lads who broke the pride and obstinacy of their Spanish colleagues, in the final of FIFA's U-17 World Championships in Seoul.

With this outcome, Nigeria becomes world-record holder, alongside Brazil, which also had won the world cup thrice. This is great hopes for us as, this new generation of players may prove to be worthy of stepping into the shoes left by tripod soccer heroes- Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Rashidi Yekini.

From relative obscurity, these lads and their ebullient coach, Yemi Tella, have proven once again that Nigeria's home-grown victory, in the same tournament in the maiden 1985 (Beijing) and 1993 (Tokyo), were no flukes. Renowned and giant soccer nations like France, Argentina and Germany, were 'mauled' to the ground on their way to fame and honor. This indeed is a glowing tribute to the 1985 golden team, led by Nduka Ugbade in China, and Wilson Oruma eight years later in Japan.

The victory looked more like a telenovela soap, when considered from the long and tortuous attempt of the last 14 years to restore the glory of our youth football in Nigeria. I give kudos to golden boy - Macauley Chrisantus and goalkeeper Oladele Ajiboye, who kept the 'enemies' at bay and thereby put them to shame throughout the tournament where Nigeria lost no match.

This world cup victory was a boost also for me, as I fully recovered from exhaustion and subsequent break-down after I moved to a new apartment in the heart of Lagos megacity in Ikeja.

As we toast and savor this African victory, I would resume posting telenovela snippets of Catalina y Sebastian and El Cuerpo del Deseo (Second Chance).

Serena Sapped Their Doubts

Serena Williams is one star that sparks my inspiration over the last five years, from 2002. The 26-year old, Long Tennis player is one heroine that I have always drawn inspiration from.

Her victory today (her 8th), in the grand slam Australian Open, tennis championship, after almost two years in the injury cooler, was like a telenovela story. It is one of the career sparks heralding the rousing of the 'lioness' of the tennis courts.

It was a nostalgic reminder of the "Serena Slam" when she won all the 4 grand slam titles in 2002/2003 season. She came into the tournament with the odds stacked against her, many called her a spent force, having been World's Number 1 Female Tennis player, some few years back, and now ranked 81, in the world. Many thought that she has entered her professional twilight in tennis.

Grossing over sixteen million Dollars ($16,010,307 USD) in 8 years of professional career is something that is truly an inspiration. She did it in style beating the world's N0. 1 female tennis player, Russian, Maria Sharapova.

All through the seven games, she turned the tables and zapped the ocean of popular doubts to conquer all the seeded players she crushed to emerge champion again.

Her stunning victory may herald a new string of Serena victories in store for this year, 2007, proving that this may as well be a Serena year. I am drawing strength from her testimonies to make a definitive exploits for our telenovela blog this year with the 20 best novelas being showcased here on our site. For those looking for a spectacular testimony in their lives in this new year, I pray the Serena victory for you to shine this year too.

Congrats sister Serena!