It was a historic moments for seventeen Nigerians who got the most astonishing package of the year, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Experience. Having the benefit of viewing a live World Cup can never be compared to watching matches on a TV screen.
The elation and fulfillments the fans derive from this moment is in comparable, its more exciting and fulfilling watching the games live at the stadium and having a real-time experience with the players, fans, coaches and the atmospheric beauty of the stadium that makes you part of the game.
My 2018 FIFA World Cup experience in Russia is something that I will live to remember as the fun, excitement and the opportunity of hanging out with fans from across the continent that specifically came to cheer their country to glory.
Seventeen lucky Nigerian youths had a lifetime football experience in the Coca-Cola Score a Trip to Russia promo when the leading premium soft drink giant, Coca-Cola Nigeria took them to St. Petersburg, the ancient city in Russia with a population of 4.991 million and boost of the most expensive stadium ever built, the St. Petersburg stadium.
At a cost of $1.1 billion at current exchange rates, it is considered one of the most expensive stadiums ever built. With a capacity of 56,196 for regular league matches, but increased to 68,000 for the World Cup.
They also had a City tour to beautiful and historic places like; Grand Palace at Peterhof, Peter and Paul Fortress, FIFA Fan Park, the Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum, the largest art gallery in Russia and is among the largest and most respected art museums in the world.
Jeoffrey Ekoja, a civil servant working with the Kaduna state Polytechnic was so stunned at what he saw.
“Waoo, the experience has been fantastic in Russia, a good place with nice people with warm welcome for visitors; the environment is amazing and honestly, I enjoyed my stay here in Russia. But the challenge for us is the language barrier that makes it difficult for people to communicate effectively, ” said Ekoja.
Speaking of his first experience of watching a live FIFA World Cup game after watching Sweden play against Switzerland at St. Petersburg stadium, Ekoja was full of words.
“Very happy to watch live here at St. Petersburg stadium Stoke City’s midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and very interesting to see all the players on TV live and direct. This has really brought joy to my life and I am grateful to Coca-Cola Nigeria for the privilege to watch a live World Cup match.”
“Overwhelmed to see fans cheering their team teams and the jubilation were incredible, we mingled and made new friends. Coca-Cola has given us the biggest World Cup experience.”
Koja could not hide his feelings about the beautiful edifice at St. Petersburg stadium.
“Woo!!! This is really terrific, I have never seen such stadium in my life and it’s a dream come true to be here in Russia. When I return back to Nigeria, I will tell my friends and family my World Cup experience, especially my experience at St. Petersburg. ”
Enugu born Godwin Ananmani Chukwuemeka, a psychology graduate from Eastern Mediterranean University in Turkey also shared his historic moments with Coca-Cola World Cup Experience of watching a World Cup Live game for the first time.
“After my studies in Turkey, I came to Nigeria to process my documents for my Masters programme, before I was selected among the seventeen lucky winners in the Coca-Cola Score a Trip to Russia promo.
“Though it’s not my first experience to be in a cold country, it’s awesome seeing beautiful structures in St. Petersburg. A great opportunity to see this nice and sweet environment; seeing the electric powered buses is an incredible experience,” Chukwuemeka revealed.
“Watching a World Cup live game is a moment I will never relinquish for a long time, the live experience is much different from TV screens. Live experience affords you the opportunity to see the players and meet with them and their fans.”
“There are lots of rich Nigerians who wished they had this opportunity, for me having this privilege to watch a live World Cup game at the magnificent St. Petersburg stadium is something I can’t express in speech, but am extremely delighted to be among the lucky winners. I feel much fulfilled with this Coca-Cola World Cup experience in Russia. This has given me hope that many opportunities lies ahead of me.”
“I saw what I have never seen before, Turkey have a metro train stations, but not what I have seen in Russia. A visit to the galleria shopping mall was also awesome where top brands in shoes and clothing were on display. A sight tour to Saint Peters and Paul Cathedral shows Russia has a great historical background, ” he added.
Christopher Rita Osayameh, from Benin in Edo state and the only female among the lucky 17 lucky winners in the Coca-Cola Score a Trip To Russia Promo said she could not believe that she could be in Russia.
“I have seen live differently, and the atmosphere here is beautiful. I was really fun to watch a live World Cup match in a foreign country. The stadium edifice; I have never seen such stadium in my life. The sight tour to Peter and Paul fortress and boat cruise will forever live in my memory.”
Anthony Nlebem, reporting from Moscow/Russia
