The second leg of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) is back. I had the opportunity to watch the AFC Leopards play Ulinzi on Wednesday. The action got me thinking about two things; instant coffee and the 2012 Cup of Nations.
I like my coffee, with or without milk. But instant coffee i in the same league as sliced bread; makes you take too much of it under duress from your subconscious. Just a sachet and you have enough to make a cup in no time.
The same applies to fans of the so-called community clubs. The clubs, specifically Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, have a great history. A score league titles, regional championships and the Nelson Mandela Cup for Gor Mahia. These teams were built over time, and when they hit their highest level, the players would have played anywhere in the world. They had their basics right and could get their tactics right (if the club management did not involve the services of a "consultant"). What is not said enough is that they were developed through youth centres.
Listening to AFC Leopards fans after the Ulinzi match, it seems came to light that no one really wants to see coffee brew, they just want it instant. To be specific, they want the coach to come up with a winning team overnight!
Kenya has no youth system to develop tactics. Players are making the scratch on basics, technical and psychological, late in their career. Need not discipline is is reserved for people in uniform and schools. Put up a squad like this and you have briliant players but a weak team. Just the same as instant coffee.
I will mention I like my coffee brewed, put the granules in hot water and strain for the aroma. Let us put the players through the same process, we might miss out on Gabon 2012, but 2015 is definitely it, Kenya will shine.
As for the community club supporters, stop talking, start walking; no club with a fan base of 5 million has ever gone broke or lacked a stream of talent.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Totally Offside
Remote Control
By The Sports Maniac
There has been alot of talk of use of "juju" and other forms of prediction formats that are intened to work in your team's favour. Africa has been accused of trying to do so. A 9 foot python was found in South Africa in the hands of a Sangoma. The belly creeper was in poor health. Other forms may be attributed to Africas, like guys in funny looking kits and strange ornamentation.
Now lets move to the Europeans, Germany in specific. They have Paul the Octopus. Octopaul predicts match results by eating from either the pot with the flag of Germany or their opponents. Octopaul is a non-mamal, just like the python in SA. Their purpose the same; modus operandi, depends on wha you believe, for me tis just the same.
A flow of printed works from North of the Latitude Cancer made Africa look like the remote control capital of the universe. Octopaul makes us understand they are like us, only that they use other organisms, and use apalatable words to describe the phenomenon.
Here is the difference; the python in SA will be treated by vets, Octopaul will be a subject of theses, antitheses, and hypotheses. The sangoma will be down trodden - not that I believe in his works - while Paul's keeper will be on Larry King, Hard Talk(BBC), Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, and National Geographic.
What a way of life that footbal is.
For the record, I consider Octopaul a traitor; he was born in England - Germany's auld enemy? What happened, hopes tis not the warm weather.
By The Sports Maniac
There has been alot of talk of use of "juju" and other forms of prediction formats that are intened to work in your team's favour. Africa has been accused of trying to do so. A 9 foot python was found in South Africa in the hands of a Sangoma. The belly creeper was in poor health. Other forms may be attributed to Africas, like guys in funny looking kits and strange ornamentation.
Now lets move to the Europeans, Germany in specific. They have Paul the Octopus. Octopaul predicts match results by eating from either the pot with the flag of Germany or their opponents. Octopaul is a non-mamal, just like the python in SA. Their purpose the same; modus operandi, depends on wha you believe, for me tis just the same.
A flow of printed works from North of the Latitude Cancer made Africa look like the remote control capital of the universe. Octopaul makes us understand they are like us, only that they use other organisms, and use apalatable words to describe the phenomenon.
Here is the difference; the python in SA will be treated by vets, Octopaul will be a subject of theses, antitheses, and hypotheses. The sangoma will be down trodden - not that I believe in his works - while Paul's keeper will be on Larry King, Hard Talk(BBC), Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, and National Geographic.
What a way of life that footbal is.
For the record, I consider Octopaul a traitor; he was born in England - Germany's auld enemy? What happened, hopes tis not the warm weather.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Totally Offside
Do You Live or Die For Your Country?
Had Asamoah Gyan scored, Suarez would have been a hero and it would be told to future generations; it is better lose honourably than to put a long lasting black spot in your career. This did not happen; the crossbar put the match into post match penalties, and Uruguay play Holland in the semis.
Suarez is a hero and he will miss the semi against Holland. FIFA has yet to decided the extent of his ban. The adage says that it cowards live for their country, while the heroes die fortheir country. In Uruguay, it will be said Suarez was afraid of losing, and will therefore live for his country. To Ghanaians, he is in the same league as a suicide bomber - one who dies for his country.
Will his actions create a legacy of - if faced by danger of extinction and you have a good keeper, remeber Suarez from South Africa 2010?
This is not the last we see of Suarez, who incidentally is skipper at Ajax Amsterdam. Will his team mates play against Holland, where he earns his living, for him?
Tune in to Channel 1 and Metro FM for live coverage of this match.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
TEN YARDS OUT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010
By The Sports Maniac
The 19th FIFA World Cup has been full of surprises, shocks, and not to forget some extraordinary moments.
Group A had South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France. South Africa let it all down with Khune's sending off in their second match. The 3 - 0 loss technically knocked them out of the tournament. Mexico entertained as two time champs Uruguay put forward a reason to be noticed. Twas 60 years since they last won the trophy, plus they use four stars - 1930 and 1950world cups, and two olympic golds from the same era. France was just a continuation of Euro 2008. Team building in the alps did not help, Ray Domenech only commanded the respect of his Visa Card, and Nicolas Sarkozy has put the country at the threat of a FIFA ban for preparing to lead an investigation of the team's lack of general decency. France almost repeated a Korea Japan 2002 - no win, no goals, were not for Flourent Malouda. Goals scored 10, points earned 16. Player to watch - Givanni dos Santos of Mexico. Aged 21 and plays for Galatasary Istanbul.
Group B had Argentina, Nigeria, The Korea Republic, and Greece. Which is easier to remember: when philosopher Socrates died or who won Euro 2004? Your guess is as good as mine. They were drilled out by a fast Korean squad, before Enyeama earned the respect of Lio Mesi. Diego Maradona, more of Chairman of the Coaching Commitee somehow turned his outfit into killers against Korea, Greece meanwhile had some revenge from the 3-0 loss of USA 1994. Argentina went to collect the full 9 points. Korea scraped through in the final beath. Goals scored 17 - the joint highest tally group wise, total points collected 17. Hats off to Vinvent Enyeama, he can help kill keeper development in England if the unconfirmed truths are confirmed.
Group C has USA, England, Slovenia, and Algeria. Cagey, fatiguing, blunt; I rest my case. 15 points the tally, how they manged to score a total of 9 goals is still a wonder.
Group D invited Ghana, Australia, Germany, and Serbia. Germany had the third youngest squad on average, 25 years on average, coming into the tournament (they normally had the second oldest after Italy). At the end of match day 2, only Ghana were unbeaten. The finale was nailbiting, Germany stealing the group, the overrated Serbia headed back to Belgrade , Australia just did not score as much as they conceded. 12 goals in the group, 17 points won, just one player in the Castol Index.
Group E had The Dutch, Denmark, Cameroon and Japan. Cameroon had two of the seven teenagers in Zakumi - Vincent Aboubakar and Joel Matip. Cameroon played more like golfers - with no team work, Holland did not play the total football Johann Cryuff developed, Denmark were marked out and Japan played Kamikaze football. Japan and Holland made it to the last 16, Cameroon failed to get a point. 18 points collected, 15 goals scored; Roger Milla can look for fresh words for Eto'o. Rigobert Song has now played 9 world cup matches in four tournaments. He made 5 passses, all complete, and did not get a single booking!!!!!
Group F Defending Champions Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand and debutants Slovakia. The champions had a disaster of a tourney. They only managed two draws. The ageing squad - average 28.1 - never seemed to gel, and when they did, woodwork and Jubalani were not their friends. Paraguay managed to win the group with a win over Slovakia. 13 goals, 14 points.
Very Important Statistic = 0 = number of matches that Italy has won in 2010.
Group G was dubbed the group of death. Portugal - with CR9, or is it CR7 in focus, Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, and Korea DPR. Korea DPR almost put out the much criticised Brazil. Brazil, second oldest team in the tourney at an average of 28.6 are coached by Dunga. Flair is his description of the clothes daughter designs for him, not something to exhibted by Robinho. Anyway the one-namers beat DPRK and CIV before drawing with Portugal. The Iberians produced the highest score and winning numbers, the seven nil drubbing of DPRK. Brazil and Portugal progressed, CIV will rue not taking their chances against Carlos Queiroz's outfit. 17 goals, 16 points, the most public display of the DPRK we will get to see closes.
Group H with European champions Spain, and the "not to be taken seriously Chile, Switzerland, and Honduras." Match day one and Spain paseed the ball a lot, oh yes they did but more of sideways. Switzerland beat themm 1 -0, thanks to the upright; ask Iker Casillas if you doubt it. Match day 2 and all they managed were 2 against Honduras. Meanwhile Switzerland went for 559 minutes in the World Cup without conceding a goal, Chile broke the record. Overall, the group had the leat goals scored - 8 but the teams collectively collected 15 points. Chile and Spain scrapped through, Honduras left the tourney with a mark though - they became the first team to have three brothers at a World Cup - Johhny, Wilson, and Jerry Palasios.
Summary of the group stage - 101 goals, 128 points. 16 teams flew home, 16 remained. Italy join France as first round victims as defending champions, SA become the first hosts not to make it to the knock out stage,
Monday, June 21, 2010
Finally, the World Cup starts!!!
Now, you may have wondered where I went and why I may have been so busy not to send my blogs on this page but may I admit laxity on my part on the account that the last few days have been so boring to excite me enough to write anything inspirational - hope am forgiven.
May i now express my open heart here and let you into the fact that am now inspired that teams that opted to display anti-football tactics and approaches are finally moving out and the goals are coming through; so 13 goals goals in the last 2 days is enough inspiration for me to return to the blog. How do you like it?
By the way, may I hold my thoughts and watch the Spaniards against Honduras,may I submit that it is not as open sided as we all thought though Vicente del Bosque's charges are up one goal with just over 20 minutes played so far.
I am breathing a sigh of relief, the goal fest is here and the goalies have finally got some justice for their castigation of Jabulani. Oh am happy Ronaldo, Drogba and Fabiano finally got their names on the scoresheet.
Talk more pals but keep the posts coming as comments..............
May i now express my open heart here and let you into the fact that am now inspired that teams that opted to display anti-football tactics and approaches are finally moving out and the goals are coming through; so 13 goals goals in the last 2 days is enough inspiration for me to return to the blog. How do you like it?
By the way, may I hold my thoughts and watch the Spaniards against Honduras,may I submit that it is not as open sided as we all thought though Vicente del Bosque's charges are up one goal with just over 20 minutes played so far.
I am breathing a sigh of relief, the goal fest is here and the goalies have finally got some justice for their castigation of Jabulani. Oh am happy Ronaldo, Drogba and Fabiano finally got their names on the scoresheet.
Talk more pals but keep the posts coming as comments..............
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Enyeama for Arsenal
It is now official that majority of the African teams had nothing to offer after all considering what we have just witnessed on this day first Thursday of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria's Green Eagles are clearly not super anymore and I wonder why Lars Lagerback was the head of that technical bench. How do you let your team play with a man less, and undeservedly so, becuase of your inability to make a quick tactical decision.
I was stripped of my pride as an African when on Echiejile's injury, Lagerback took a whole five minutes to decide who to come on and it was such a shame he brought a defender. My gamble here should have been - just throw in a striker in Obafemi Martins and pull back one midfielder, after all the match was already beyond them.
Anyway, even with the tragedy of Nigeria's poorest performance against a weak opponent in the group, am all smiles because of one Vincent Enyeama. The dude had a great delivery for the second day of his action in this world cup, ignore the fluffs he had already done enough to save his team, and I hope Arsenal boss Arsene wenger was watching or his scouts did. The comedies of Manuel Almunia now have a solution in Enyeama, he can really stand out if Arsenal can recruit him but some advice to Enyeama, you are one great guy, so value yourself and if Wenger plays his usual economics; may Jose 'the great' Mourinho watched and he'd go for Enyeama's signature.
The African World Cup is just a tragedy for the Africans but if Enyeama can get his job in a top club in Europe ( I see him in Arsenal or at the Bernabeu) - so its a great World Cup for enyema who has never made it to that big European stage before so this opens up for him. So Enyeama for Arsenal or Real Madrid. Wow.................
I was stripped of my pride as an African when on Echiejile's injury, Lagerback took a whole five minutes to decide who to come on and it was such a shame he brought a defender. My gamble here should have been - just throw in a striker in Obafemi Martins and pull back one midfielder, after all the match was already beyond them.
Anyway, even with the tragedy of Nigeria's poorest performance against a weak opponent in the group, am all smiles because of one Vincent Enyeama. The dude had a great delivery for the second day of his action in this world cup, ignore the fluffs he had already done enough to save his team, and I hope Arsenal boss Arsene wenger was watching or his scouts did. The comedies of Manuel Almunia now have a solution in Enyeama, he can really stand out if Arsenal can recruit him but some advice to Enyeama, you are one great guy, so value yourself and if Wenger plays his usual economics; may Jose 'the great' Mourinho watched and he'd go for Enyeama's signature.
The African World Cup is just a tragedy for the Africans but if Enyeama can get his job in a top club in Europe ( I see him in Arsenal or at the Bernabeu) - so its a great World Cup for enyema who has never made it to that big European stage before so this opens up for him. So Enyeama for Arsenal or Real Madrid. Wow.................
Shame shame Bafana
How could Bafana Bafana crush in such fashion to Uruguay? They may claim to have a case against the red card and subsequent penalty but that is far-fetched and pushing your luck so far - how luckier can one be?
The game against Mexico was mouthwatering and full of hope for the naysayers and other skeptics who thought the hosts had nothing to offer other than the hospitality and the generosity of those that would care to harvest goals from the squad. That unfortunate view was graduated against Uruguay as they looked clueless and now Africa hosting her first World Cup will be an ignominous thing as the host will, for the first time ever, exit at the group stage; what a shame!
Now, how do you get out having soaked 3 goals with a match against France as the final hope, perhaps the final nail on their coffin? I have a subjective conspiracy theory which must work if anybody cares about the hosts. Please don't hold me accountable - so mark the word 'subjective.'
This is it: France must win tonight against Mexico and convincingly so and by convincing here I mean at least 4 goals so that then 'Les bleus' move to the top on goal difference ahead of Uruguay, who must then loose to Mexico on their final match. Raymond Domenich must then ensure that South Africa wins by more than 3 goals (at least 4) and Mexico should be under instructions to pump in a similar number of goals to cancel out Uruguay's three goals against South Africa. That would mean, all teams will be on four points but South Africa would stand a chance of going through on goal difference and this is how it is gonna work. South Africa would then top of the group having beaten France who would then qualify to the next stage as runners-up with a superior goal difference because Uruguay and Mexico would end up with a negative goal aggregate hence crash out as tail enders of group A.
Now, the only disadvantage to this three-pronged theory may end up in the woods because how can France save South Africa's blushes in such manner considering the record they set in '02? I don't see how France can keep a cleansheet against the offensive Mexico. My subjective theory may not work but hope someone powerful enough in FIFA's corridors would read this and apply it in ruthless fashion. That's it folks, sounds great and complex at the same time but that's what I'd do if I were Jacob Zuma and I have a great friend who believes in my country so much and that pal happens to be the most powerful in FIFA - these things happen or don't they?
The game against Mexico was mouthwatering and full of hope for the naysayers and other skeptics who thought the hosts had nothing to offer other than the hospitality and the generosity of those that would care to harvest goals from the squad. That unfortunate view was graduated against Uruguay as they looked clueless and now Africa hosting her first World Cup will be an ignominous thing as the host will, for the first time ever, exit at the group stage; what a shame!
Now, how do you get out having soaked 3 goals with a match against France as the final hope, perhaps the final nail on their coffin? I have a subjective conspiracy theory which must work if anybody cares about the hosts. Please don't hold me accountable - so mark the word 'subjective.'
This is it: France must win tonight against Mexico and convincingly so and by convincing here I mean at least 4 goals so that then 'Les bleus' move to the top on goal difference ahead of Uruguay, who must then loose to Mexico on their final match. Raymond Domenich must then ensure that South Africa wins by more than 3 goals (at least 4) and Mexico should be under instructions to pump in a similar number of goals to cancel out Uruguay's three goals against South Africa. That would mean, all teams will be on four points but South Africa would stand a chance of going through on goal difference and this is how it is gonna work. South Africa would then top of the group having beaten France who would then qualify to the next stage as runners-up with a superior goal difference because Uruguay and Mexico would end up with a negative goal aggregate hence crash out as tail enders of group A.
Now, the only disadvantage to this three-pronged theory may end up in the woods because how can France save South Africa's blushes in such manner considering the record they set in '02? I don't see how France can keep a cleansheet against the offensive Mexico. My subjective theory may not work but hope someone powerful enough in FIFA's corridors would read this and apply it in ruthless fashion. That's it folks, sounds great and complex at the same time but that's what I'd do if I were Jacob Zuma and I have a great friend who believes in my country so much and that pal happens to be the most powerful in FIFA - these things happen or don't they?
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Spain’s World cup is ‘over’
Spain become the first victims of world cup shocks after that performance against a lucky but determined and focused Switzerland.
Am going in to watch the final match as we welcome the second round of ply in this world cup but I leave you with this thought.
The Swiss were a lucky lot to have survived the Spanish fury for 97 minutes and I really feel for Spain Coach Vicente Del Bosque because he threw his best soldiers forward with the best tactics just that they were not lucky on the day.
As for Hitzfeld’s charges, they are son on in this tournament and my bet is, the favorites have a mountain to climb in this group that is if they are to get themselves out of this group because I see this result as a great motivation to the Chileans who will feel strong enough to go with the ‘Red Fury’s scalps.
Chile have joint leaders’ status with Switzerland and therefore the next match between the two will be a major derminant of the final shape of the group.
A draw between ‘La Roja’ as Chile are known and Switzerland would put the Spaniards in an awkward position of having to win their final match against Chile assuming that they’ll win their tie with Honduras – which am convinced they will – but that would be a huge task for the European champions.
My take is Spain’s chances at this world cup are hanging by the thread after the loss on the opening match – the least they needed was a draw.
Now the world cup has begun, let no one pour cold water on this; in Swahili we say – wachilia punda kwa mteremko! That means that you just let the donkey stroll down a hill when you get one.
Am going in to watch the final match as we welcome the second round of ply in this world cup but I leave you with this thought.
The Swiss were a lucky lot to have survived the Spanish fury for 97 minutes and I really feel for Spain Coach Vicente Del Bosque because he threw his best soldiers forward with the best tactics just that they were not lucky on the day.
As for Hitzfeld’s charges, they are son on in this tournament and my bet is, the favorites have a mountain to climb in this group that is if they are to get themselves out of this group because I see this result as a great motivation to the Chileans who will feel strong enough to go with the ‘Red Fury’s scalps.
Chile have joint leaders’ status with Switzerland and therefore the next match between the two will be a major derminant of the final shape of the group.
A draw between ‘La Roja’ as Chile are known and Switzerland would put the Spaniards in an awkward position of having to win their final match against Chile assuming that they’ll win their tie with Honduras – which am convinced they will – but that would be a huge task for the European champions.
My take is Spain’s chances at this world cup are hanging by the thread after the loss on the opening match – the least they needed was a draw.
Now the world cup has begun, let no one pour cold water on this; in Swahili we say – wachilia punda kwa mteremko! That means that you just let the donkey stroll down a hill when you get one.
This world cup is officially boring
By Milton Nyakundi
Am committing my life to this sentence, by that I mean my football fanatism life because tell me how you end the first round of play without goals coming in like a festival.
Having watched brazil labor to edge Korea DPR 2-1, it confirmed my earlier conviction that this is the most open world cup ever watched in the 80-year old history of the biggest soccer tournament in the world. I have watched every single match and I must say am very disappointed and wonder what the hue and cry from the goalkeepers about the ‘Jabulani’ was about if the strikers cannot pump in the goals.
This is indeed a boring world cup and I maintain that because we still don’t know who the best candidate for the golden boot is when the likes of Luis Fabiano would fail to produce that moment of brilliance that is so needed to save a team’s blushes.
I must remind you here that that moment of individual contribution that would make the difference came through a full back in the name of Maicon. Somebody tell the strikers to turn out for the world cup and light it up with goals.By the way after the Ivory Coast vs. Portugal deadlock which followed an exciting battle of group F underdogs which ended in a draw, am left wondering where the excitement would come from.
I was proud of the Chile-Honduras tie because that was the best defensive attack so far seen in this world cup. By the way, caution to Coca-Cola what’s your celebration campaign, brace yourselves for a dry return to your end because there may be no favorite celebrations at the end of this world cup.
May I rub it in once again; this is a boring world cup unless the strikers finally arrive and the coaches of some select teams stop displaying anti-football defensive formations which get into some of us nerves’ because we want to see goals or isn’t that what you are looking forward to in the world cup?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Le Guen must go!
Now the title of this blog sounds outrageous because you are thinking am out of my mind, right? But here's my reason why and after that i want you to tell me what business the Cameroon FA have to do with a coach like him at a world cup finals or even at all.
I was watching Cameroon against Japan and in their group C opener and for once appreciated how my brain had gone to sleep when I first saw the starting XI that was to be led by Samwel Eto'o - was I that blonde at that point? Maybe I was too ambitious then and no one could see that.
Paul Le Guen, former Olympique Lyonnais tactician, beautiful career you had there as a coach, you are at the world cup, due to play your first match then you leave your best squad on the bench - are you serious you want to win the world cup? How in this world do you have a Cameroon squad without Geremi Njitap, Rigobert Song and his son Alexandre, Idrissou, Achilles Emana; and still hope to win a match?
Now, Iya Mohammed must have been so irated to see the 'Indomitable Lions' loose to Japan knowing just too well that you have players who were left on the bench by a foreign coach and so was the feeling in the minds and hearts of millions of Cameroonians, millions - perhaps a billion plus, Africans and other people who love Cameroon for a reason or another.
My take is, this man must go. Let Rigobert Song take the reigns as player coach effective tonight or whosoever else is in that technical bench do that and let's see the Cameroon that we know. I feel for my brother and friend Eto'o who was given a team to lead, one that could not gel because critical parts of the engine had been taken away.
Cameroon's strength lies in their wingbacks, who always surge forward and deliver crosses that lead to their goals; Geremi on the right and Assou- Ekotto from the left and the lanky Idrissou (he may not be as fluid a scorer) does intimidate the defenders with his height out of which Emana and Eto'o then become effective.
Stephane Mbia is a midfielder, offensive minded, and has no business playing in that role he was deployed to do in that game but tell me which choice he had when Alex Song was left on the bench. So anyone who thinks Cameroon did not play, now you have an idea of what went wrong; I've not mentioned the goalie by the way because why was Kameni not fielded.
There comes a point that man has to bite his words and here I am to do so for thinking that Cameroon's Lion spirit would propel them to the business end of this world cup but may I do so with reservations. The 'Indomitable Lions' have everything it takes, had as it may seem, to win this world cup.
There's all the hope but only if this man called Paul Le Guen is given matching orders by the Cameroon FA because he's the one who cost the team in that match and needs no second chance because the world cup never gives anyone a second chance.
This column is prone to typos and such other errors because being an African man, I am writing this a very annoyed African to have watched another very good African team lose their first match at the world cup in circumstances i would call self-inflicted but by a thrd party, who is a Frenchman.
There's all hope for the African challenge in group E, in football its never over until it is over or so they say but that man Paul Le Guen MUST GO!
I was watching Cameroon against Japan and in their group C opener and for once appreciated how my brain had gone to sleep when I first saw the starting XI that was to be led by Samwel Eto'o - was I that blonde at that point? Maybe I was too ambitious then and no one could see that.
Paul Le Guen, former Olympique Lyonnais tactician, beautiful career you had there as a coach, you are at the world cup, due to play your first match then you leave your best squad on the bench - are you serious you want to win the world cup? How in this world do you have a Cameroon squad without Geremi Njitap, Rigobert Song and his son Alexandre, Idrissou, Achilles Emana; and still hope to win a match?
Now, Iya Mohammed must have been so irated to see the 'Indomitable Lions' loose to Japan knowing just too well that you have players who were left on the bench by a foreign coach and so was the feeling in the minds and hearts of millions of Cameroonians, millions - perhaps a billion plus, Africans and other people who love Cameroon for a reason or another.
My take is, this man must go. Let Rigobert Song take the reigns as player coach effective tonight or whosoever else is in that technical bench do that and let's see the Cameroon that we know. I feel for my brother and friend Eto'o who was given a team to lead, one that could not gel because critical parts of the engine had been taken away.
Cameroon's strength lies in their wingbacks, who always surge forward and deliver crosses that lead to their goals; Geremi on the right and Assou- Ekotto from the left and the lanky Idrissou (he may not be as fluid a scorer) does intimidate the defenders with his height out of which Emana and Eto'o then become effective.
Stephane Mbia is a midfielder, offensive minded, and has no business playing in that role he was deployed to do in that game but tell me which choice he had when Alex Song was left on the bench. So anyone who thinks Cameroon did not play, now you have an idea of what went wrong; I've not mentioned the goalie by the way because why was Kameni not fielded.
There comes a point that man has to bite his words and here I am to do so for thinking that Cameroon's Lion spirit would propel them to the business end of this world cup but may I do so with reservations. The 'Indomitable Lions' have everything it takes, had as it may seem, to win this world cup.
There's all the hope but only if this man called Paul Le Guen is given matching orders by the Cameroon FA because he's the one who cost the team in that match and needs no second chance because the world cup never gives anyone a second chance.
This column is prone to typos and such other errors because being an African man, I am writing this a very annoyed African to have watched another very good African team lose their first match at the world cup in circumstances i would call self-inflicted but by a thrd party, who is a Frenchman.
There's all hope for the African challenge in group E, in football its never over until it is over or so they say but that man Paul Le Guen MUST GO!
Its either Ghana, Cameroon or no other savior of Africa’s blushes
By Milton Nyakundi
Watching Ghana bag the slim victory against a tight Serbia side that included the mercurial Nemanja Vidic in their ranks was a moment of pride for me as an African journalist. It rekindled the hope that I had put in the ‘Black stars’ as the African team that would improve our sense of pride as a black continent.
It reminded me of the African nations’ cup in Angola earlier this year when the youngsters went all the way to the finals. Now may I tell you why this team has everything to go all the way and perhaps lift the glory on home soil.
First and foremost, Milovan Rajevac is for your information Serbian so you can imagine what he felt after leading his Ghana squad to victory against his home country but that’s beside the point.
Secondly, and this should give you more reason to brag as an African, Ghana are the youngest squad in this world cup – now that is a manifestation of a new dawn for African football bearing in mind that African teams have in the past been in sharp focus for having overage players in age-group tournaments.
Anybody who watched the Black stars, unless you are anti-football, would appreciate that the team is a well oiled and drilled machine to say the least and patriotism here drives me to say that the Germans may end up playing second fiddle to the Ghanaians if they are not so careful.
Winners’ status for Ghana in group D would add some great sub-plot to this world cup but I refuse to get into that now, just check out this blog later this week so lets be relevant here.
Ghana has the right ingredients to win this world cup. Start with the goalkeeper and if Richard Kingson’s display yesterday is anything to go by, then that area is very covered, in fact the second and third choice custodians may pack their bags and head back to Accra or join the traveling fans but still enjoy FIFA’s imprest for being on the Black Stars team sheets.
The heroics of skipper John Mensah gives me a lot of confidence that they will be mean enough for a team that is contender for the title – with Isaac Vorsah, Hans Sarpei and John Pantsil all put up a show that strengthens their case in this 19th world cup. Go into the midfield and find Abedi Pele in his son Ayew, Kwadu Assamoah, villain in chief in Germany Kevin Prince Boateng and the rest of the pack did a great job to show why they are seriously in business and deserve to be on that end of the tourney.
Of course, veteran Stephen Appiah is included and maestro Sulley Muntari and add the talismanic prowess of Assamoah Gyan on the attack, the lads will surely make it at least to the semi finals.
And how about Cameroon? As the ‘Indomitable Lions’ kick off their group E surge against Japan, I am strongly convinced that they will be driven by the lion’s spirit that saw them impress in Italia ’90. The shenanigans that we’ve seen before the tournament are just sounds of a frog that would do nothing to stop the cows from drinking the water. I, however, should get a better opinion at the end of this game but trust me they are a strong force in this world cup – the lion’s spirit cannot be underestimated.
As for Algeria, I think their tournament is over – must have been a good adventure for the desert foxes because it would be extremely hard to get a result from England and the USA going by the way they performed against Slovenia. South Africa have a kick that may only last until the semis but let’s see how they maneuver past the French and Uruguayans in group A but their strongest link is the icon in their coach.
Nigeria’s chances in this are indifferent but a second round or ambitiously they may do a quarter final but not further. Ivory Coast’s case is tight between a rock and a hard place but I see them in the latter stages of this world cup if they get themselves out of the ‘group of death.’
Am still African and so my support for all our teams is not in question. Solidarity forever!
It reminded me of the African nations’ cup in Angola earlier this year when the youngsters went all the way to the finals. Now may I tell you why this team has everything to go all the way and perhaps lift the glory on home soil.
First and foremost, Milovan Rajevac is for your information Serbian so you can imagine what he felt after leading his Ghana squad to victory against his home country but that’s beside the point.
Secondly, and this should give you more reason to brag as an African, Ghana are the youngest squad in this world cup – now that is a manifestation of a new dawn for African football bearing in mind that African teams have in the past been in sharp focus for having overage players in age-group tournaments.
Anybody who watched the Black stars, unless you are anti-football, would appreciate that the team is a well oiled and drilled machine to say the least and patriotism here drives me to say that the Germans may end up playing second fiddle to the Ghanaians if they are not so careful.
Winners’ status for Ghana in group D would add some great sub-plot to this world cup but I refuse to get into that now, just check out this blog later this week so lets be relevant here.
Ghana has the right ingredients to win this world cup. Start with the goalkeeper and if Richard Kingson’s display yesterday is anything to go by, then that area is very covered, in fact the second and third choice custodians may pack their bags and head back to Accra or join the traveling fans but still enjoy FIFA’s imprest for being on the Black Stars team sheets.
The heroics of skipper John Mensah gives me a lot of confidence that they will be mean enough for a team that is contender for the title – with Isaac Vorsah, Hans Sarpei and John Pantsil all put up a show that strengthens their case in this 19th world cup. Go into the midfield and find Abedi Pele in his son Ayew, Kwadu Assamoah, villain in chief in Germany Kevin Prince Boateng and the rest of the pack did a great job to show why they are seriously in business and deserve to be on that end of the tourney.
Of course, veteran Stephen Appiah is included and maestro Sulley Muntari and add the talismanic prowess of Assamoah Gyan on the attack, the lads will surely make it at least to the semi finals.
And how about Cameroon? As the ‘Indomitable Lions’ kick off their group E surge against Japan, I am strongly convinced that they will be driven by the lion’s spirit that saw them impress in Italia ’90. The shenanigans that we’ve seen before the tournament are just sounds of a frog that would do nothing to stop the cows from drinking the water. I, however, should get a better opinion at the end of this game but trust me they are a strong force in this world cup – the lion’s spirit cannot be underestimated.
As for Algeria, I think their tournament is over – must have been a good adventure for the desert foxes because it would be extremely hard to get a result from England and the USA going by the way they performed against Slovenia. South Africa have a kick that may only last until the semis but let’s see how they maneuver past the French and Uruguayans in group A but their strongest link is the icon in their coach.
Nigeria’s chances in this are indifferent but a second round or ambitiously they may do a quarter final but not further. Ivory Coast’s case is tight between a rock and a hard place but I see them in the latter stages of this world cup if they get themselves out of the ‘group of death.’
Am still African and so my support for all our teams is not in question. Solidarity forever!
It had to be Germany!
By Milton Nyakundi
On the third day of the African World Cup, I must admit to you that I woke up from my bed and left my house a very unhappy person because of two reasons. Why? Because strikers had refused to show up at the tournament and by that I mean we hadn’t seen any goal by a striker even with the hue and cry about the ‘Jabulani’ from the goalkeepers.
Well, Robert Green was green enough to concede such a goal but I maintain it was not a case of mediocre goalkeeping as you may think, ‘Jabulani’ had everything to do with it, yes, it was the ball’s path and bounce that messed up the young man’s opening match memories as a member of the three lions squad.
My disappointment continued and couldn’t have gone worse than see Algeria, a team I thought contained everything as a surprise package, go down so ignominiously in the hands of ‘lowly’ Slovenia.
Kudos Ghana for making Africa proud and for the first time in three days we saw Africa pride in results as opposed to the simplistic argument that we have staged our world cup successfully.
I know you agree with me on everything so far so allow me now to deviate and talk about Germany’s performance. Why on earth would the three time champions had to pump four goals into Australia’s goal? Okey, it felt nice to see goals flying in finally and of course strikers doing their job but I have my reservations on the manner in which the goals came in because on a day with 3 matches then you get one team scoring 4 out of the seven goals notched on the day, its not fair.
Am not sympathizing with the Australians because they looked miserable throughout but am also questioning the prudence of the Germans in that game because why would you kick a dead dog or kill a dead lion?
The Bavarians have never lost an opening match at the world cup since Spain in 1982 but in all that, they have only won the world once but have always announced their arrival by thrashing teams in ruthless fashion – its sad that in 2002, they won 8-0 in the opening match of the 2002 edition but still they never lifted the trophy.
My hypothesis is that the Germans biggest weakness is in their strength and that is why they must be ruthless from the start to scare their subsequent opponents which is a trait associated with cowardice.
Its important that at this stage, we hold due respect to teams because such high-scoring matches could kill the morale of fans turning out to watch the victim sides; please don’t kill a dead lion unless it shows signs of resurrection but Australia didn’t even console their nerves with a single goal so why continue with the rout?
Well, Robert Green was green enough to concede such a goal but I maintain it was not a case of mediocre goalkeeping as you may think, ‘Jabulani’ had everything to do with it, yes, it was the ball’s path and bounce that messed up the young man’s opening match memories as a member of the three lions squad.
My disappointment continued and couldn’t have gone worse than see Algeria, a team I thought contained everything as a surprise package, go down so ignominiously in the hands of ‘lowly’ Slovenia.
Kudos Ghana for making Africa proud and for the first time in three days we saw Africa pride in results as opposed to the simplistic argument that we have staged our world cup successfully.
I know you agree with me on everything so far so allow me now to deviate and talk about Germany’s performance. Why on earth would the three time champions had to pump four goals into Australia’s goal? Okey, it felt nice to see goals flying in finally and of course strikers doing their job but I have my reservations on the manner in which the goals came in because on a day with 3 matches then you get one team scoring 4 out of the seven goals notched on the day, its not fair.
Am not sympathizing with the Australians because they looked miserable throughout but am also questioning the prudence of the Germans in that game because why would you kick a dead dog or kill a dead lion?
The Bavarians have never lost an opening match at the world cup since Spain in 1982 but in all that, they have only won the world once but have always announced their arrival by thrashing teams in ruthless fashion – its sad that in 2002, they won 8-0 in the opening match of the 2002 edition but still they never lifted the trophy.
My hypothesis is that the Germans biggest weakness is in their strength and that is why they must be ruthless from the start to scare their subsequent opponents which is a trait associated with cowardice.
Its important that at this stage, we hold due respect to teams because such high-scoring matches could kill the morale of fans turning out to watch the victim sides; please don’t kill a dead lion unless it shows signs of resurrection but Australia didn’t even console their nerves with a single goal so why continue with the rout?
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