Nigerian Woman Has Her Priorities Straight: Flies Out to Moscow to Deliver Birth and Watch Football!

The World Cup in Russia will be remembered for more than just soccer. A Nigerian fan is bringing home souvenirs and her newborn son, Ivan. A loyal fan, she decided to attend the tournament despite being in the final stages of pregnancy. She thought she'd have enough time to return home, but then the ball went into the Nigerian team's net.

Here's Yaroslav Krasienko with a report on what went wrong.

 

Her name, Olabimtan Abiodun, is common in Nigeria. But the baby boy she's picking up so affectionately was given the name Vanya. He was born a few hours after Argentina sent Nigeria home. Pregnant Olabimtan watched the Saint Petersburg game broadcast in Moscow. She was due in a month, but her body couldn't handle the overwhelming emotions after Argentinian Rojo's goal.

Olabimtan Abiodun Oluwaseyi, fan (Nigeria): "I didn't expect this to happen. At first, I was really scared because I went into labor early. After I had my baby, I was absolutely happy and grateful to the Russian doctors. They were so loving and caring".

It was an emergency: A soccer fan who didn't speak any Russian started to have contractions late at night. However, Botkin Hospital's doctors are used to situations like this. They frequently work with foreigners.

Elena Ivanova, obstetrician and gynecologist at Botkin Hospital's Maternity Department: "During the first few hours of labor, she seemed very tense and unhappy. But once the baby was born, I saw that she was all right. After that, she was very talkative and friendly".

Elena Semeikina, Maternity Department Manager at Botkin Hospital: "We communicated with her in English: our doctors speak English. Fortunately, everything went smoothly and she was very happy. Today, both the mother and her son will be released from the hospital".

The trip to Russia wasn't the only reason for the name the soccer fan gave to her son. Once she found out that the name Ivan means "God is gracious", she had no doubts. Little Vanya and his mother will stay in Russia until July 15th. Only after the final game is played, will they return home.

Olabimtan Abiodun: "Thank you!"

Yaroslav Krasienko, Vesti.