Nigeria: Reactions to Sani Kaita’s red card on Facebook · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Nigerian football fans are deeply divided over Sani Kaita who was sent off in Nigeria's second Group B 2010 FIFA World Cup match against Greece for kicking Vasilis Torosidis. Nigeria went on to lose 2-1. Football fans are discussing Sani Kaita's foul on two Sani Kaita Facebook pages.
Most of the comments by  are negative, but some are positive. Let's start with negative comments.  Zalarmy leaves this comment on Sani Kaita page:
First it was SANNI abacha (the
ex-president), then SANI Yerima the
(Senator that kept a 13yrs old girl, all in
the name of marriage), later SANNI lulu
(the ex-NFA Chairman), Now, SANI kaita
(the footballer). For how long shall we
allow SANI(S) to spoil the name of this
country? Kai.
Emeka says that a new English word has been added to the dictionary:
A NEW WORD HAS BEEN ADDEDTO THE DICTIONARY – “KAITA” A man who single-handedly hindered the hope of his country for reasons best known to him. “Kaita” can be used in placve of words like “Jeopardy”, “Hinder”, “Sabotage”, “Disrupt”, “Antagonist”, “Fool”, etc. Examples are: Don't Kaita what we have been building for 11 y…ears in one day. Don't be a Kaita, etc
17 June at 21:44
Leke describes the new word in more details:
New English Word
KAITA (Kai-ta)
v. Kai*ta, Kai*tas, kai*ta'ed, kai*ta'ing
1. To single-handedly dash the hopes and aspirations of one's nation in the full glare of other nations
2. To karate-kick your way out of the greatest stage/spotlight ever known to man
3. To destroy/zap/siphon the energies of teammates plus 140 million people through unexplainable stupidity
4. To act foolishly, unintelligently or irrationally and IMMEDIATELY regret the action by falling on your knees
Usage:
“Please, please, do not KAITA what we have been building for 50 years o! Oloshi!”
“I don't care what people say, I will KAITA the multi-billion dollar plan!”
“That man, you know, the hopeless, useless, visionless, KAITAing guy!”
“I was KAITAing until I met Jesus!”
18 June at 09:17
KAITAnolokopolous is a new Greek god, writes Charles:
A bill has made its way with lightning speed on the floor of the Hellenic Parliament of Greece, proposing a new Greek god:
KAITAnolokopolous – A god who gives undeserved victory by causing your opponent to act with wanton idiocy.
The motion was carried unopposed!
All hail KAITAnolokopolous!!!!! (PS: Please pronounce slowly to avoid a tongue-biting incident)
18 June at 05:17
Oki says that Sani's service is needed in the police force:
YOUNG MAN UR SERVICES ARE NEEDED IN THE JOS/KANO POLICE FORCE.THEY WILL EASILY SIGN U ON ON LOAN COS U'VE DISPLAYED AT AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY THEY NEED AT THE FORCE.PLS DO NOT DELAY,DON'T EVEN WAIT FOR THE NEXT MATCH.THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY U'VE BEEN WAITING FOR..GO FOR IT.
18 June at 02:05
Some fans are positive and simply want Sani Kaita to be forgiven.
John thinks that Sani never meant to hit the guy:
i just watched the replay very well and i think he never meant to hit the guy… its like he was just playn…. dnt crucify him bcuz of the little thing he did… he is still a good mid-fielder..
Human beings are bound to make mistake, notes Adeleway:
human being are bound to make mistake and when it comes we are also meant to patch our self up and keep moving the ability to stand up after our fall is what makes a man. my prayer to God is that he gives nigeria the grace to qualify for second round so that you can correct the error you committed and if Allah says its over so be it but i hope you learn from this great mistake that Anger is deadly enemy it can mar a person withing a twinkle of an eye may god forgive you bless you and guide you in your future endeavour
Sunday at 11:32
Alphonse argues that the match was not lost only because of Sani Kaita's red card:
I know how much we are all annoyed because of this flop. But the reason for the lost match is not only Kaita stupidity. Reasonable should question the mental fitness of our players. Why were they all shattered the way they did. The technical crew should have known that such things happen in football. If the Lions of Cameroon could hold on to a victory in a similar situation in the 1990 world cup game against Argentina and finishing 9 on the pitch why couldn't our dear Eagles do same on a bas day like yesterday. The problem is not only Kaita but this type of arrangement that gives nothing at last. We can not continue waiting for miracles while others work hard for their survival. The match of yesterday had revealed the inner problems a lot of Nigerians carry on their back daily. You can now see, good luck was not enough to save a situation like this. Think about it!!!!!!!!!!
17 June at 23:15
“Leave the guy,” pleads Adefolajunwonlo:
Leave the guy. I was very pissed, but we should stick together. A lot of countries are happy especial the African ones. let's forgive the guy and focus on the obstacle at hand. I have faith in Naija. UP SUPER EAGLES. To KAITA be more careful what you do when you represent your country. It's not a personal thing. It's a national duty
Sunday at 08:16
Jimoh reminds Nigerian fans that we all make mistakes:
it a pity we Nigerians like insulting but once in a while we need to sit down nd understsnd that things like this happens.if all of us have been castigated for mistakes w have made in our lives would we still be living?this is what we should ask ourselves not all this rubbish and act hypocracy have been seeing so far.kaita nxt time be more professional thaank u
3 hours ago
“Make una leave sani kaita alone o…,” cries Ubon in Nigerian Pidgin English:
make una leave sani kaita alone o… him na human being n no de above mistake. put urself 4 im place if all the whole naija de throw yabbis on una, au una 4 feel. d mistake don hapen e don hapen, we supose de encourage d team to see if they go qualify 4 d second round instead of crucifying kaita. make we gada pray 4 our dear country naija.
Saturday at 09:27