For an occasion to celebrate winning a league title that came after a 32-year wait, the open-top parade of Rangers around Enugu was a bit too open for comfort and could have been done a whole lot better.
Fine, the country is in an economic recession, but it would not cost a club like Rangers an arm and leg to rent a good bus for an open-top bus parade.
We see these parades happen every year around the world but the one by the Flying Antelopes was a major let down.
Remember when English club Arsenal won their first trophy in 12 years (the 2014 FA Cup)?
This is how Arsenal rocked that occasion. They went on to retain the title the following year.
Then there was Leicester City that won a first ever Premier League title
Let’s put aside that hundreds of thousands came out to cheer their heroes during the open-top parade. We are only here for the vehicle used.
True, England’s economy is far from the word recession and, like Wizkid could say, the Premier League’s money and any other league’s money no be mate, so it could be seen as unfair comparing Enugu Rangers’ trophy parade with that of Leicester City.
That said, this is Hibernian celebrating their Scottish Cup win in May
Look at Bristol City after becoming champions of League One and also winners of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy
It is 60 years since the Robins last won a league championship.
Let’s come down to one that should be our level
This is from Kaizer Chiefs after winning the South Africa Premier Soccer League title in 2013.
Notice how they use a bus that’s well branded and all.
Now, see how Rangers went around town (get a hanky for the tears you’re about to shed)
What is ‘why na?’ in Igbo please?
Now, nobody is saying it should be elaborate like Portugal’s
Portugal won the 2016 European Championship against all odds and at the expense of host nation, France.
But not like this
Because it’s not this level we are aspiring for
Rather, this is the level we are praying for our Nigerian champs to always celebrate their win
The club did tender an apology for the manner of the parade. Hopefully, it won’t take another 32 years before they get the chance to go around parading a title and wipe the memories of this one.
