Fair Play Mutilated

Jun 08, 2003

ENCOUNTERS between archrivals are normally dramatic but the preposterous theatre that littered Uganda’s showdown against Rwanda on Saturday could hardly have been out of place in a circus park.

By Joseph Opio
ENCOUNTERS between archrivals are normally dramatic but the preposterous theatre that littered Uganda’s showdown against Rwanda on Saturday could hardly have been out of place in a circus park.
With both brigades of players appearing more preoccupied with witchcraft than soccer — totally in keeping with the infamous Kigali scenarios — it is little wonder that both adversaries remain inconsequential states as far as footballing success is concerned.
Flamboyant Rwanda custodian Muhammud Mossi, that accomplished master of mind games, should take shameful pride in his performance.
Pride because his ability to psychologically demoralise the superstitious Ugandans authored another chapter of success.
Shameful because his reckless acts managed to precipitate unmitigated violence and unsporting scenes that made a parody of the Fair Play flag that escorted the players onto the pitch.
Though Mossi played the leading role, he possessed a supporting cast that was just as monumental in inspiring the unpalatable course of events.
Abubaker Tabula, recently suspended by his club KCC for disciplinary troubles, proved too vociferous in his protestations against the Rwandese and was almost stripped naked by Jimmy Gatete after an unsavoury chase by a pack of furious visitors. Gatete ended up bleeding profusely for his troubles.
Substitutes Phillip Obwiny and David Obua were prompted off the bench by the ensuing carnage and their fiercely-thrown punches proved them worthy and notable extras in this circus parade.
So rivetting was the spectacle that the referee, Alemu Gizate, and his equally lamentable assistants jumped headlong into the comical fray.
Gizate’s assistant, a victim of an adrenaline rush no doubt, invaded Mossi’s goal, unearthed an unidentifiable object and triumphantly handed it over to the match commissioner with much fanfare.
The standing ovation he received from the terraces was as disconcerting as it was thunderous.
No wonder the petulant officials marched back to resume operations on pitch with a swagger of heroic accomplishment.
By this time, even the partisan Ugandan crowd knew there would be no Fair Play awards after this encounter.
They also must have known however that the average Ugandan player’s belief in forces from the netherworld is deeply entrenched.
The Rwandese are scarcely blameless either. Their desire to fight for whatever substances Mossi had placed in his net neither inspired confidence nor sympathy.
Perhaps it would be fitting if both teams didn’t make it to Tunisia 2004. The anti-football tactics employed ensure Rwanda or Uganda’s presence would be more than unmerited.
It would be a disgrace to the Holy Grail of African football. Ends

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