*EVERY FOUR YEARS*

You know they say, *absence makes the heart grow fonder*. So it means that *for your presence to be felt, you have to learn to be absent*. So you see pastors visiting church members who no longer attend crusades. You see customers calling customers and shouting: *long time, no see.*

So every 4yrs, comes a leap year. For whatever reason the year leaps every four years, we don't care. But we leap for a different reason every 4yrs.

*The world cup.* 32 nations poised for a bloodless battle. Each battalion fighting to defend the badge, the flag, the people.

You know it's just a game. But it is most times personal, don't be fooled by the handshakes, according to Playstation. Vendetta is sought, glories are at stake, fame and immortality is on the line. Bragging rights are most important for the fans. Expectations are high. A lot is at stake. Fans shouting and cheering their soldiers to victory. Displaying banners and banters. Chanting, cheering and jeering. Jubilant fans celebrating like salvation has been won and a new heaven created. Crying fans shedding tears, that sprung forth from a bleeding heart. Fans of different ages,even as below as 7yrs and even above 70yrs. Men don't cry slogan holds not in football. I have seen men cry. I saw the tears of Baggio in USA '94. Ronaldo de lima' s tears flowed like a stream in France '98. Oliver Khan was not to be consoled in 2002. Trezeguet wept in Germany 2006. In 2010, Arjen Robben fought without success to stop his tears. In 2014, Lionel Messi alone wept like the daughters of Jerusalem. So men cry every four years.

But the cries don't make it any less memorable. Infact, it makes it more nostalgic and more desirable. It bleeds the heart and makes it to grow fondest.

The world cup epitomizes patriotism. Soldiers praying for recruitment to fight for their nations. Battling Yo stay on the frontline. Politics divides us.

Religion divides us too. But football unites us. Ahmed Musa with football on his feet is absolved of ethnicity and religion. He becomes our Musa. Mikel Obi becomes our son.

It's One Nigeria. Together we fight the enemies. We support totally and without reserve.

*If football were to be a religion, everyone would worship together. Although Pastor Messi and Evangelist Ronaldo, would pull the biggest crowd of worshippers*

*Brother Suarez will be banned for biting brother Cheillini*

*Choirmaster Neymar will be renowned for his outstanding performances*

*Senior pastor Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be renowned for his ebullience and confidence*

*Judas may still be Karius with a pitiable concussion*

*MARADONA AND PELE WOULD STILL BE Gods, waiting for Messi/Ronaldo* to perfect the trinity