Some Weekends are Like That

Weekends are usually for relaxation and recuperation, but sometimes it’s not always totally fun. This was the case of last weekend for many sports lovers in Nigeria.

First, in boxing, it was Anthony Joshua against Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua had lost eleven months ago in London and the story wouldn’t change yesterday as Usyk got the better of him again. Joshua didn’t go into the fight as the favourite but he’s a champ and his fans and Nigerians believed he could bounce back. He bounced around the ring but never bounced back.

Next was Kamaru Usman against Leon Edwards in the UFC. Usman was slightly the favourite to win and it looked like an easy win for the Nigerian Nightmare as the rounds passed by. At the final round with Edwards looking defeated and out, life happened. You know that moment you can’t explain what happened when life happens? It was just a kick by Edwards and Usman was out. The kick reminded me of Wande Coal’s lyrics in one of his hits “when you hear the kick…”

Unfair you would say but it’s part of sports and life.

As if that wasn’t enough, Nigerians who support Chelsea had to endure an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Leeds United. But that’s not a national sports problem. The next was Falconets losing to Netherlands at the U-20 FIFA World Cup late last night. That rounded off the weekend.

However, just as Usman said after his fight, “champions always bounce back.” It may not have been the perfect weekend but we sure bounced back and got back to work.

Joshua, Usman and the Falconets will too.