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Miracle Ebubechi Michael, affectionately known as Mimi or Anoda Mirakle, has told South African football fans that should her team, Orlando Pirates lose their much-anticipated Soweto derby this weekend, she is prepared to walk all the way to Nigeria.
Image: Social Media
As excitement builds for the much-anticipated Soweto derby this Saturday, one supporter is making headlines with a daring promise. Miracle Ebubechi Michael, affectionately known as Mimi or Anoda Mirakle, has vowed to walk all the way to Nigeria if her beloved Orlando Pirates are defeated by arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Her declaration has captivated the hearts of local soccer enthusiasts, further igniting the rivalry that is central to South African football culture.
Mimi's newfound fame comes after a remarkable crowdfunding campaign raised over R40,000 to bring her from Nigeria to Johannesburg for the derby. Anticipated to be a major crowd attraction, she recently reflected on her excitement during an interview with SABC.
Reiterating her unwavering faith in the Pirates, she proclaimed, "If Kaizer Chiefs beat Pirates in the Soweto Derby, I will walk all the way back to Nigeria on foot!” Her bold statement, recorded in a viral video, has quickly spread across social media platforms.
As both teams prepare for the highly competitive match, spirits are high following their respective victories on Tuesday night. Kaizer Chiefs secured a resounding 3-0 win against TS Galaxy, while Orlando Pirates matched that score with an impressive performance against Milford. The anticipation surrounding this year’s derby is heightened by the fact that tickets for the event at FNB Stadium sold out within six hours—a clear testament to the passion surrounding the encounter.
Stadium Management South Africa has confirmed an overwhelming demand for the match, with over 90,000 supporters expected. Authorities have urged fans without tickets to stay away from the venue, implementing strict measures to prevent counterfeit tickets from entering the stadium. With numerous security teams on high alert to manage the crowd efficiently, the atmosphere at the stadium is expected to be electric.
All tickets for the clash between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs sold out within six hours, according to Stadium Management South Africa CEO Bertie Grobbelaar, who says the event will use a fully digital ticketing system.
She indicated that the love for South African football is big in her home country, stating: "I have my Nigerian brothers and sisters who are working in South African football. My whole family knows about South African football. Even my kids know how to pronounce Orlando Pirates players' names.
On the challenges facing strained relations between the two countries, she told SABC sportscaster Xoli Zondo that there has to be a way to resolve this.
"That is how far we are pushing this thing in Nigeria. Whatever is happening out there on social media, we will push it through soccer. I do not know how it will happen, but we have already started," she asserted.
Upon her arrival in the country, Mimi took time to thank South Africans for their kind gesture on social media, saying that amid all the fork-and-knife treatment, she found it hard to keep up.
"This village Nija girl is being spoilt rotten by South Africans, but I can't keep up with the fork and knife. It is not working.''
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