Success Has Many (Fake) Friends

We sat in the office watching Nigeria vs Iceland. Nigeria vs. Croatia was a disgrace. Argentina vs. Croatia was brutal. Two countries needed this win and Nigerians know all too well what disappointment feels like. The first half was nothing to write home about. The guy next to me was so sure Nigeria would lose. Negativity was more popular than positivity and from the way our team was playing there wasn’t anyone to prove them wrong.

I needed to meet my folks so they could leave where they were early. So I left. Honestly, I didn’t see much reason to stay.

I hadn’t even gone far before they’d scored their first goal. The tides had turned and things were starting to get interesting. I continued to “watch” the match via WhatsApp statuses.

There wasn’t traffic due to the amount of people watching. Maybe I was going to get to my destination in time to continue. I reached Ikeja Under Bridge and the last keke maruwa going to Opebi got filled up just as I got down. So I was standing there waiting for a few minutes. Then an empty bus going to Opebi through Allen came around. Going against every instinct/fear I had as a Nigerian, I entered the bus, low-key ready to jump out in case anything happened.

A few people entered the bus after we reached Allen so at least I could rest. One of the passengers was saying the driver was not patriotic. “How would a match be playing and you won’t be watching?” The conductor asked whether the match would put food in his mouth. Funnily enough we stopped at a viewing center /bar/hotel. None of us complained and we watched the rest of the match. We won Iceland 2-0.

Joy emanated everywhere. Online and offline. I couldn’t stop smiling. I was so happy. Musa was the man of the hour. We’d finally played ball and not that nonsense we were playing against Croatia and the during the first half of this match.

I met my dad and he casually said something that got me thinking. “Nigerians are only supporting Super Eagles now because they won.”

The truth in that was spot on. Think about it. Nigerians are so used to disappointment that anything that pertains to this country, we’re highly negative about. But when things turn in our favour we rejoice. The true supporters of that match were the ones who said, “Win or lose we dey here together.” If we don’t beat Argentina all of this support would scatter.

And that’s how life is too. No one wants to associate with anyone who is a failure. And sometimes it’s for good reasons too. But adversity is the true test of friendship and support. You don’t even have to be at the extreme end of failure. You can just be that regular person going through everyday life but just start growing in success. It’s like a magnet. People would attach themselves to you. You’d probably think you got new friends but you just got a leech infestation. Knowing the difference would save you a lot of pain.

This is why the few friends I have now I can’t let go of them. This is why I appreciate people who love me for who I am. Whatever I can and will bring to the table is simply an added bonus.

A large amount of supporters should never be your goal. If you happen to have a few, be grateful. Whatever the case may be, work hard for whatever you believe in and make an effort to see it through till the end. Don’t get distracted by the accolades because people are easily swayed like paper in the wind.

Side note: Here’s to hoping Nigeria goes as far as possible in the World Cup. Let this World Cup end well so I can go back to my default settings of not caring about football for the next four years.