196 Year Old Tortoise Tips Nigeria to Score Twice Against South Africa

A legendary 196 year old giant tortoise from Zanzibar’s Prison Island has captured attention by predicting Nigeria will score two goals against South Africa in their World Cup qualifier.

The giant reptile, believed to be one of the oldest living creatures on earth, is famed for its symbolic role in local culture and is often turned to for light-hearted forecasts. During a playful ritual involving food markers, the tortoise nudged the sign marked “Nigeria 2” sparking excitement among fans eager for a favourable outcome.

Observers noted the spectacle drew a mix of amusement and belief, with many Nigerian supporters embracing the prediction as a good omen ahead of the highly anticipated match. For them, the tortoise’s “verdict” represents more than chance it has become part of the build-up drama.

Editorial

We find something oddly comforting in the thought that a 196-year-old tortoise has lent its quiet authority to Nigeria’s football hopes. This isn’t about superstition alone it is about the way we, as supporters, cling to symbols, rituals, and even eccentric forecasts in moments of sporting tension.

We have all seen how football transcends the pitch. From mascots to chants to good-luck rituals, these gestures bind fans together and inject humour into the nerves of competition. When a tortoise becomes the bearer of hope, it reflects our desire to believe that destiny leans in our favour.

We should not mistake the prediction for certainty. Yet, the story speaks volumes about the weight of expectation on the Super Eagles. The laughter and light-hearted optimism it inspires remind us that football is more than goals and points it is culture, folklore and community spirit rolled into one.

We embrace this moment because it draws us together, turning anxiety into joy and scepticism into smiles. The tortoise’s prediction may or may not prove true, but it has already achieved something valuable uniting us in belief, however whimsical. And that spirit, we believe, is exactly what football should embody.

Did You Know?

1. The Aldabra giant tortoise, the species found on Zanzibar’s Prison Island, can live for more than 200 years, making it one of the longest-lived vertebrates on Earth.
2. Jonathan, another giant tortoise living in St Helena, is currently the world’s oldest known land animal at 192 years as of 2024.
3. Prison Island, where the tortoise resides, was once used as a quarantine station for enslaved people in the 19th century before becoming a sanctuary for giant tortoises.
4. Some cultures consider tortoises symbols of wisdom, endurance, and longevity, often linking them to prophecy and luck.
5. Animal predictions have a quirky tradition in football, the most famous being Paul the Octopus, who correctly predicted several results during the 2010 World Cup.