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Nigerian World Cup optimism tempered by domestic unrest

30 June 2014 18:49 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. In the thick of charcoal smoke rising from kebab grills in downtown Lagos, traders and their customers excitedly talk up Nigeria's chances ahead of the country's first World Cup knockout match in 16 years, APA reports quoting Associated Press.

But the optimism is tempered by disquiet -- if not outright fear -- that a worsening Islamist insurgency raging in the north could make its way to the west African nation's biggest city at any time.

"We are worried in Lagos for sure. People should be worried because seeing and hearing from other states what is happening, one has to be very conscious," said Femi Adeeko, 66, who runs the Famoss Hotel in the city's affluent Ikoyi district.

Nigeria hopes to become the first African side in World Cup history to make it to the semi-finals, but they face a tough route, with European powerhouses France first in the firing line.

Hopes are sky high after a creditable performance against Argentina in the group stage where, despite losing 3-2, Nigeria won over many critics and CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa became an overnight hero after netting twice.

But preparations have been overshadowed by an attack on Sunday by suspected Boko Haram Islamists on a series of churches in northeastern Nigeria, with at least 50 dead, just days after a shopping centre was bombed in the capital Abuja.