 We're back with the breakfast in Plastivia, Africa. Stand for us to talk about sports this morning and Monday, Thomas joins us on the show. Monday, it's good to have you join us. That's a fantastic day to talk sports. Mercy, thank you so much for having me. So a quick one, what a lot of people have described as the World Cup miracle. A lot has been happening in the World Cup. I know that Germany in 1954 actually was known for the miracle of that game that was played because they earned it, and so that particular title, it was also followed with another win in 1974, and of course, 1990 and in 2014. I'd like to quickly share your thoughts on the fact that Germany, a very strong team. I remember in 2019, I was a German fan, I was supporting big, big time, but of course they've been knocked out of the game. Your thoughts, really? I mean, just like you hinted, many people are saying that it's a miraculous World Cup and it's a World Cup of offsets, and that's why we love football. That's why we love soccer. I mean, before the World Cup got underway, people of course had termed it as the most controversial World Cup. People also called it the Money World Cup and some people also said that it was a World Cup that had no respect for human rights. But here we are in Qatar, about 40 games played already and we've enjoyed all of them. African countries are coming to the party, but specifically this morning, I'd like to talk about the offsets. Yesterday, Costa Rica had a chance against the German side and for the second consecutive World Cup, that we're seeing Germany knocked out in the group stages. They were knocked out in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup and here we are in 2022. History, it's repeating itself. It's not only Germany that are the casualties. Japan, of course, are the teams who are dishing out this offsets once again. They beat Spain yesterday by two goals to one and they also did beat Germany by two goals to one. So it's a World Cup where you don't have to underrate any team. If you underrate any team, you are going to face the music for sure because everyone has a chance. Everyone is here to play. Of course, the 32 nations that qualify to the World Cup show in their respective qualification series that they deserve to be at the World Cup. So the World Cup is the ground where you do not have to underrate and I know it's too early, but this is the greatest ever World Cup that I've ever witnessed, mercy. So, but let's talk further. How would you rate the performance of African countries in the World Cup? Yes, it's also a World Cup where African came to the party. Imagine on the final day of round three we are expecting all African countries to make it to the knockout stage. I know Tunisia already out yesterday just confirmed Morocco or in the round of 16, Senegal where the ones who started the party, today we could get to see Ghana and maybe Cameroon because like I said, you don't have to underrate anybody. Brazil taking on Cameroon today, Cameroon need all three points against the Samba boys and it's very possible. We know why because Brazil are going to come in with a team B side. I know the team B side of Brazil are very deadly, but some of them have not played in the World Cup before. Some of them, this is their debut World Cup game. So a lot can happen. So I'm completely impressed. I'm completely excited that Africans once again are the World Cup for the first time since 2018 that we are seeing African nations trying to progress out of the group stage. And the 2018 World Cup was an absolute shocker. No African side made it to the round of 16, but in this year's World Cup we are seeing the likes of Morocco making it to the round of 16 for the first time in 36 years and not just making it to the round of 16, topping the group that had Belgium and Croatia. It's a remarkable World Cup for Africans and I'm pausing for that. So which African country would you be seeing progressing to the next stage? Do you see Senegal at least beating England? I can remember that same question. It was you that posed that question to me. That was two days to the World Cup when we were here on a Friday and we talked about the chances of African side. And I told you Senegal. And when I told you this, Sadio Mane was cleared to play at the World Cup. And some days later, Sadio Mane was said, hey, I can't play this World Cup. And what Senegal are still putting on the fire. Senegal are still doing greatly, even without their talisman, the African best player of the year. The likes of Ismail Assad, Khalilu Khalibali, he's been supreme at the back for the Senegalist side. So taking on the three Lions of England this weekend is a 50-50 game. It can go either way. A lot of people on the papers are giving it to England. But England are not ready for what is going to hit them. Senegal are going to bring the game to them. And if England are not careful, they're going to be knocked out by the Terango Lions. I like how positive you stay every other time, especially when it has to do with Africa and Nigeria. And that's very pictorial. No, no, I'm never positive. I'm never positive. But that's a lot of patriotism. I'm not positive about it, Super Eagles, because Super Eagles, in reality, jokers. But what is happening at this World Cup? I'm so excited to see what Africans are doing. And, okay, so fingers across, we don't want to begin to delve into the composition of the player, especially for England. You have the likes of Saka. He's been very great. And we have seen how amazing he's been with that game. One would think that the game between England and the United States would probably end with England taking the lead, but unfortunately it was a draw. Like I said, we'll just leave that at that. Let's get back home here and talk about the National Sports Festival that's been declared open. How does that make you feel and what are your expectations? I'm expecting a whole lot. And I'm talking about my feeling. I'm over the moon because in Nigeria, we're trying to get things work. We are trying to make sure everything work. And from my point of view, from my field, I love to see things working when it comes to sports. And in a competition like this in a tournament or in an event, sporting events like this, where you get to see 28 different sports and over 16,000 athletes from age 18 to 25. So that is getting the youths of the streets, getting the stallings to work because I tell you Nigeria is a country that is blessed not just with resources, not just with mineral resources, but with human resources as well. We've got what it takes to be ruling the world right now. I'm pretty sure we are still excited about what Tobias is doing on the global stage, but this is how it all begins. The National Sports Festival, back to back, we are seeing it in action. This time it goes to Delta. And according to the reports, Delta are still running the show. They've won it the last time. And this morning, they're still doing, so we've got some games and some events coming up. I'm excited that the National Sports Festival, I mean, in a season where we are struggling to see the NPFL in action, but the athletes right there, when we talk of all the sports are still striving, they're still trying to make a name for themselves. And it all begins in a competition like this. And I'm excited about the National Sports Festival. The president, Mohamed Bori, was represented by the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, Sonny Darry in the opening day. And we also saw some great and elaborate opening ceremony where Ruga performed. So, I mean, it's not just sports, it's about entertainment as well. And I'm excited, Mercy. So, but which of the spots are you going to be looking out for, really? All right, 28 different sports. I'm a basketball fan. I'm a big basketball fan. I actually love basketball more than I do love football. But I, yes, I'm also looking forward to basketball, but the funny thing is that we are seeing squash, we are seeing chess, mercy, we are seeing dots. I mean, these are foreign sports, and that is what we are having at the National Sports Festival. I mean, it's a resurgence and it's good to see that we are not left out of the other side of the world. We are trying to compete as far as other sports is concerned. It's not a town where we just get to talk basketball and football and anchor. It's a town where we get to talk cricket. It's a town where we get to look at the stars we have and harness them for what is to come. And I'm pretty sure the future holds a lot for us. Okay, I'd like you to show your last words as we course the conversation down now. Mercy, a lot of offsets are here to be unfolded this year's World Cup. I mean, I'm excited about the Qatar. Before now, the 2002 World Cup... Unfortunately, we have been disconnected, but we have to let this conversation slide at this point. We still have the likes of Senegal at the World Cup and of course Ghana. Let's see what becomes of this African countries because that's what it is. Africans are rooting for Africa and we can only hope that, you know, an African country will make us proud despite the fact that Nigeria did not make it and also very excited about the National Sports Festival that's been opened and with all of the games, especially games that were not used to been introduced. It just shows that we're developing. You can only get better. That's the size of our conversation this morning on the breakfast. Of course, we take a... It wouldn't be a break, but it would just be an overall. This morning would definitely come through on Monday or things being equal. Thank you so much for being part of the show from 7 o'clock up until this moment. If you missed out on any part of the conversation, would like that you join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We're at Plus TV Africa and Plus TV Africa Lifestyle. Now you can also subscribe to our YouTube channel. We're also at Plus TV Africa and Plus TV Africa Lifestyle YouTube channel. My name is Messia Boko. Do have yourself a merry Christmas.