By Kehinde KOLAWOLE
Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has become a prominent figure across various sectors in Nigeria, with a notable influence in the realm of football. His involvement with the sport is evident through his frequent interactions with Ahmed Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the honors he has received from the supporters’ club. Primate Ayodele is renowned for offering prophetic guidance to the Nigerian football team, both in private consultations and public declarations, solidifying his role as a spiritual advisor in the world of Nigerian football.
Before any major tournament, whether the AFCON or the World Cup, Primate Ayodele always shares his predictions about the fate of the Super Eagles team. His prophecies, however, are not always in Nigeria’s favor, leading many to label him as unpatriotic.
During AFCON 2022, Primate Ayodele predicted at a press conference that the Super Eagles would have an early exit from the tournament. Critics called him unpatriotic, but his prophecy proved accurate. Similarly, before the subsequent AFCON, Primate Ayodele confidently informed the NFF president that the team would reach the final. Once again, his prediction came true, solidifying his reputation for foresight in Nigerian football.
After the dismissal of Jose Peseiro, the NFF began the search for a new coach. Primate Ayodele advised against hiring a local coach, suggesting that only a foreign coach could provide the Super Eagles with a competitive edge in future tournaments.
Primate Ayodele repeatedly cautioned them against choosing a local coach if they aimed to make Nigerians proud in any competition. However, despite his warnings, the NFF appointed Finidi George as the Eagles’ coach for reasons known only to them.
Shortly after Finidi George was appointed as the coach, Primate Ayodele made headlines with a viral video interview. In his bold proclamation, Ayodele predicted that Finidi’s tenure would bring turmoil to Nigerian football. He warned that under Finidi’s leadership, the Super Eagles would falter, plunging the nation’s football into a deep crisis, likening it to a state of coma.
Primate Ayodele words reads as thus….
‘’With Finidi George, Nigeria cannot thrive as expected, he will put us in a lot of trouble and our football will be in shambles. Finidi George doesn’t have the capacity, Amunike is a bit better than him. Finidi George will put our football house in Coma’’
One month after Primate Ayodele shared his prophecy, the Super Eagles have faced a series of significant matches, delivering a string of below-average performances. Despite the high hopes and expectations, the team has struggled to find their footing, leaving fans and analysts alike puzzled and disappointed. The once promising outlook now seems clouded by a series of underwhelming results, raising questions about the future trajectory of the team.
In a historic upset, the Benin Republic triumphed over Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers, marking their first-ever victory against their formidable neighbors. The Super Eagles, once soaring high, now find themselves grounded in fifth place on the group table, their dreams of World Cup qualification hanging by a thread. The defeat has cast a shadow over their prospects, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the team’s fate in the tournament.
Summarily and conclusively however, Primate Ayodele’s prophecy is gradually unfolding its enigmatic narrative, weaving through the fabric of time, as each day unravels a new chapter of its cryptic tale. The prophecy, like a celestial whisper, dances on the edges of reality, its tendrils reaching into the depths of the unknown, leaving an indelible mark on the canvas of fate. As the world watches with bated breath, the prophecy unfurls its mystique, drawing both awe and apprehension from those who dare to glimpse its cosmic design.
