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by
George Kasakula, 08 July 2006
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06:05:51
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Interesting World Cup
This World Cup could not have been better. I am told by those in Germany that the organisation is also good. I hope South Africa will not shame Africa come 2010 but will even improve on the Germany experience. But my interest is on the pitch. It is not a secret that most of the book makers (even me) did not think Italy and France will be in the finals come tomorrow. Most of us put our money on teams such as Argentina, Spain, Germany, England, Portugal and Brazil (though personally I did not but I will deal with this matter later). But the fact that most of us got it wrong is what is making this World Cup interesting. This is the reality and the beauty of tournament football. Somebody in Brazil said it is unfortunate that no team from South America was even in semifinal. That was totally off mark. Who gave South America the right to be in the semifinal or indeed the final of the World Cup?
England must accept reality
Out of all the so-called favourites that bowed out of the World Cup early, I feel most for England. Not because I thought they can win the World Cup (doubted it from the word go after they announced their squad) but because of the way they behaved, helped by their vocal media. I really do not know who put it in their heads but most of the English think they have a golden generation of players who are capable of achieving success. In fact they say the present players are better than the likes of Bobby Chalton who won the 1966 World Cup. This is not true. The truth, if the English want it, is that their team is an average one with average players. Most of the so-called stars in the team are the ingenious creation of the English media. Their style of play was the most boring at this World Cup. Their tactics were all wrong. How do you play Wayne Rooney as a lone striker when the boy is at his best when he operates from deep as second striker? England must accept reality. They are not good at all.
My neck safe
As soon as the final whistle was blown in the France vs Brazil game, I got many SMSs, congratulating me for correctly saying Brazil will not win the World Cup. Let me sample some of them. The Raw Stuffer wrote: “Man you were right. Your neck is safe.” Another reader, Calex Young Wasili, followed up on the issue of my head not been chopped: “Your head has not been chopped on the block for real. Keep up the good work. Bola akanagulitsa game kwa Ghana, it could have been a World Cup for Africa.” Another reader from cell phone number 08371502 said I was praying so that Brazil should win. He said : “Hello Jorge. Mighty Brazil is out. I think you are sleeping now. I understand you had sleepless nights, praying and fasting so that Brazil must not win the Cup.” Other readers like Wanangwa Sam Chafulumira (akumudzi), Chimwemwe Gondwe, Eric Kamanga, Oscar Duncan Kapinya (former school mate) and so many others simply congratulated me. But I must also acknowledge those who held the opposite view. I do not blame them at all for thinking that Brazil has a natural right to win the World Cup. Only that it does not work that way in football. My head is safe.
–– Feedback: georgekasakula@yahoo.com.
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