DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 19 -- THERES an old saying whispered around East African football circles, usually after the Taifa Stars have suffered yet another heartbreak: “Tunahitaji miujiza.” We want miracles.

And so, it was again on that humid September evening at the sparkling New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

The floodlights shimmered, the drums thumped, prayers were named, loudly and Tanzania believed. For 90 minutes, hope roared louder than logic.

But in the 58th minute, Nigers Daniel Sosah decided to remind us that football, unlike faith, demands more than hallelujahs.

One perfectly timed run, one calm finish and our World Cup dream vanished — poof! — like steam from a pot of pilau at a church fundraiser.

The 1...