Some soccer games are riveting and others are ho hum. The Germany vs. Argentina game was one of those exciting games. Those Germans are on form. I’m wondering if they could be the next champions. But then Holland are doing well too?
We had plans to go out last night. The traffic was so bad post the Germany vs. Argentina match that after sitting in the car for 20 minutes and hardly moving we decided to give it a miss and turned back home. One thing I won’t miss is the parking and traffic problems we have had here in Green Point.
Two stories making the news are Paris Hilton in a spot of bother over a strange cigarette and the sad story of the Congolese football legend Ndaye “Volvo” Mulamba who now works as a car guard in Cape Town. He fled his war stricken home country when his house was ransacked and his family killed. Apparently he is near destitute today.
I wish the United Nations ruled the world. I wish we all voted for each other’s governments. I wish we had a world wide community that cared for each other. That way war lords and dictators would be squashed by a majority vote and all money and welfare would be fairly divided. People judge Africa harshly but they forget that these war lords and dictators are getting money and weapons from somewhere.
I am inconsolable at Ghana’s exit from the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Soccer is a cruel, cruel game. Nothing personal here, but, Luis Suarez of Uruguay was instrumental in the red-carding of our Bafana Bafana goalie. He was off-sides and tripped over Khune’s feet while Khune was on his back. No way did Khune deserve a red card or cause that fall. I have only just recovered from that injustice and now there is more.
In last night’s game Suarez hand-balled Ghana’s goal kick right out the net denying Ghana the goal that would have sent them through to the semi’s. His coach admits he stuck his hands out to deflect the ball.
I guess Luis Suarez is to Africa what Theirry Henry is to the Irish. Except Henry showed remorse.
Meanwhile Brazil got knocked out by the Germans and we have tickets to watch next Tuesday’s game at Casa Little Brazil. Might be more like Casa sem Brazil? Or Haus Deutschland?
Who do we support now? I know who I won’t be supporting.
Our England football guests have departed but a few guests have made the place a sanctuary to their favoured teams. It’s been so festive here. I need all the cheer I can get right now.
It’s back to the telly and soccer this evening. It’s been two long days of replays. The news is dominated by problems relating to ticket sales, this Jabulani ball and some awful referee calls. Can’t blame South Africa for any of that.
And the other item dominating news is how many people have really, really come to South Africa.
South Africa is first-world by African standards. We get a lot of visitors from the rest of Africa who come to shop and do business. Soccer aside.
I love Nationmaster for statistics. How about these numbers? In 2005 South Africa was the 25th most visited country in the world. To put that in context France is number 1 and Cyprus is in 54th place. Thailand is 19th and Australia is 36th. Germany is 10th and India is at number 40. Looks like people like coming here. And I got a feeling the 2010 Soccer World Cup will push us higher. Wonder what all the naysayers think of that?
Picture courtesy P Gillespie
No soccer game last night? Or yesterday afternoon either? How did we live without soccer?
Meanwhile the South African Navy boats are furiously charging up and down keeping us safe. From what, I am not sure. I thought we were fine, but then what do I know. Apparently the powers that be intercepted a terrorist plot on our borders.
Back in the apartheid days we had APLA, who bombed amongst other places the Helderberg Bar and Robert Mc Bride of the ANC, who was involved in the bombing of Magoo’s Bar. That sort of thing has not happened here in years. Thank God.
We had the Truth and Reconciliation Commission where individuals on both sides of the apartheid fence were given amnesty in exchange for confessions.
The biggest issue at hand right now is who to support through to the semi-finals.
Photograph courtesy of P Gillespie.
Last night’s game between Portugal and Spain was well supported by the local Portuguese community. But sadly it is adeus to the Portuguese soccer team. South Africa has 11 official languages. Apart from those 11 cultures, we have old and newer immigrants. The Portuguese community are into their second and third generation here now. As are the Greek, Lebanese and Chinese community. There was a time when Durban had more Indians than any other place outside of India. Newer immigrants are the Germans and Brits to Cape Town. In the Gardens area German is widely spoken. We also have burgeoning Somalian, Nigerian and Congolese communities. And not surprising, Zimbabweans are aplenty here too.
But we all understand local lingo. Here are three of my favorite local expressions. Shayila time. It’s when you finish work and get ready to go home. Bliksem. It’s like saying damn it. Tsotsi. We call a thug or gangster a tsotsi.
Don’t they just sound so good?
I was rather looking forward to seeing the English WAGS. Sadly we were denied an onslaught of WAG glamour by the coach who wasn’t keen for them to be with English soccer players. Some still slipped into SA for the England vs. Germany game. However, after England’s knockout they returned home swiftly.
Ah well, the whales have arrived and been spotted so we can look for them instead.
I have mastered the art of multi tasking Soccer World Cup style. I keep the telly going and when I hear the commentator’s voice raise or get excited I dash to see what has happened. There is always a slow motion replay of a goal or a foul. Life does go on and a person can’t exactly sit and watch soccer all day long. Well maybe?
