Nigeria 3 Germany 1
The Pop City Stadium in Johannesburg is awash in white and green tickertape; the 
team jog around the perimeter bearing manager Matt DC aloft upon their shoulders; a continent rejoices as for the first time an African nation has won the Pop World Cup. The Germans sit in the centre circle, head in hands: boss Andrew Hickey has taken them far and can be rightly proud, but his side simply couldn’t overcome a Nigerian outfit brimming with confidence. Some said hubris, but on the night this side had destiny in their DJ booth. A late consolation goal for Germany restores some pride, but this is Nigeria’s night.
Click through for a review of the team’s winning campaign and an exclusive lap of honour track from the side your votes have nominated Pop Champions 2010.
Argentina 2 Nigeria 2
A tense start for Nigeria in perhaps the strongest group – D’Banj’s “Olorun Maje” introduces us to the upbeat modern formations Matt DC prefers, but they can’t find a way past an innovative Argentinian side.
Greece 1 Nigeria 2
The Greeks deploy a strong ballad formation but Kefee ft Timaya’s “Kokoroko” overwhelm them – modern African R&B at its best.
Nigeria 3 South Korea 2
The Super Eagles top Group B in a high-octane clash with South Korea – Bouqui’s “Take You Away” perhaps their catchiest track of the tournament.
Nigeria 3 France 2
Another exhausting performance required to get past an impressive France side in the Round of 16 – JJC’s defiant “We Are Africans” saw Nigeria tap their continent-wide support.
Nigeria 2 Ghana 0
The first of two all-African matches saw Nigeria take on then form team Ghana in the quarter finals. An unexpected selection from Matt DC – Nigerian funky house from Dr Sid’s “Something About You” – proved a tactical masterstroke.
Nigeria 2 Cameroon 0
With the final in their sights, Nigeria played Sasha ft Dama Do Bling’s “Put It Down”, a meeting of two queens of African rap which gave DC the edge in a thrilling tactical battle with Weston Debevec’s Cameroon.
Nigeria 3 Germany 1
And finally, today’s encounter with Germany, and the triumphant General Pype with “Champion”. A prophetic choice, as it turned out. Congratulations Matt and congratulations Nigerian pop.
But it’s not over yet!
Matt is mindful of the need to keep the party going for the ecstatic crowds at home. So as a special bonus, and by way of a lap of honour, he has sent out a final team for an exhibition display of the kind of pop football which has won Nigeria the cup. This is the appropriately named “This Kind Party” by Egnyte.
And that is that for another four years. Thanks to all the managers, all the musicians and all the readers and voters for making it yet another amazing feast of pop football. We’ve had joy and we’ve had heartbreak; we’ve had hits and we’ve had clunkers. We’ve had fun.