As the clock ticks towards 8pm BST at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace welcome Shakhtar Donetsk for the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi...
As the clock ticks towards 8pm BST at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace welcome Shakhtar Donetsk for the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi final with a commanding 3 1 aggregate lead. The Eagles are on the cusp of achieving a remarkable feat that has never been seen before: an English club reaching a European final in the Conference League while their countrymen already book places in both the Europa League and Champions League finals. This is a moment of great pride for the Premier League and indeed for Nigerian football enthusiasts who have watched the Super Eagles influence shine across the continent. Palace have given a good account of themselves throughout this campaign. Their defensive stalwart, Joachim Andersen, has been a rock at the back while the midfield engine supplies the lion's share of creative spark. Up front, the Nigerian international Odsonne Edouard continues to carry the hopes of the Green and White faithful. His boots have been sharp in front of goal and his movement off the ball is clinical. At the end of the day, the Eagles know that Shakhtar are a formidable side with players accustomed to big nights under the floodlights. The Ukrainian giants will come out with fire in their bellies knowing they must score at least three goals to force extra time. GoalZaza understands that the powers that be at Selhurst Park have instructed their players to remain focused on the task at hand. There is no room for complacency in the scheme of things. A single goal from Shakhtar could shake nerves but Palace have shown resilience all season. If they hold their nerve, they will complete an unprecedented full set of three European finals featuring an English team this season. The atmosphere in South London is electric. The fans are roaring and the players feel the weight of history. In Lagos and Abuja, viewing centres are packed to capacity. Fans clad in Crystal Palace jerseys or green and white Super Eagles kits shout with every tackle and cheer every pass. When Edouard steps up to take a corner, the whole hall falls silent then erupts as the ball sails into the box. Some fans wave their hands in the air calling upon the ancestors to guide the Eagles. Others mock the Shakhtar goalkeeper with chants of. �Ole ole. �. At the end of the day, whether Palace win or lose on the night, the Nigerian spirit is united behind one of our own making history on the European stage.
