South Africans defy stereotypes
AS the World Cup heads for the straight stretch, a look back at where it all started is almost inevitable, especially the various voices of dissent that South Africa had to ignore as it soldiered on to stage such a successful tournament thus far.
By Eden Kironde
AS the World Cup heads for the straight stretch, a look back at where it all started is almost inevitable, especially the various voices of dissent that South Africa had to ignore as it soldiered on to stage such a successful tournament thus far.
At one time the opposition grew into some sort of a movement with lead characters such Bayern Munich’s president Uli Hoeness who stated that, “I was never a friend of a World Cup in South Africa and Africa as long is the security issue is not 100 percent solved.â€
Such foggy and selective observations that grossly overlooked South Africa’s potential made Afghanistan seem a safer haven, which in some Western sections, ignorant about the developments in Africa, must have begged the question whether South Africa was even capable of pulling off a successful 10-man tea party.
The voices of reason prevail
Thanks to some voices of reason that added civility to the debate, the decision to stage the tournament in Africa was never reversed.
“If you are alone in Soweto at night, then you could be in trouble, but then you would not walk into the South Bronx of New York alone at night. Security is not guaranteed in any country,†reasoned Franz Beckenbauer in reply to Hoeness’ bias. And these are comments the Kaiser must be profoundly proud of.
The World Cup has had it all. From the heart-crashing defeats such as Ghana’s loss to Uruguay, to depressing losses – Argentina’s 4-0 thumping by Germany – the tournament has mirrored all football’s facets.
Talent discovery
New prodigies have been born with Japan’s Keisuke Honda perhaps leading the roster. He has been hailed by many including Arsene Wenger who stated that, “When they (Japan) get the ball they can give it to Honda – and the magic starts.â€
Ghana’s Anthony Annan, who has elevated the importance of the Makelele role, has also been one of the unknown entities that have etched their names in the hearts of many fans.
We have already had penalties, major flops, an African representative in the last eight and a new word, vuvuzela, has been added to the English dictionary. What more can we ask for! Over to Brazil 2014.
Eden Kironde is a panelist on Vision Voice’s Sportlight show
AS the World Cup heads for the straight stretch, a look back at where it all started is almost inevitable, especially the various voices of dissent that South Africa had to ignore as it soldiered on to stage such a successful tournament thus far.
At one time the opposition grew into some sort of a movement with lead characters such Bayern Munich’s president Uli Hoeness who stated that, “I was never a friend of a World Cup in South Africa and Africa as long is the security issue is not 100 percent solved.â€
Such foggy and selective observations that grossly overlooked South Africa’s potential made Afghanistan seem a safer haven, which in some Western sections, ignorant about the developments in Africa, must have begged the question whether South Africa was even capable of pulling off a successful 10-man tea party.
The voices of reason prevail
Thanks to some voices of reason that added civility to the debate, the decision to stage the tournament in Africa was never reversed.
“If you are alone in Soweto at night, then you could be in trouble, but then you would not walk into the South Bronx of New York alone at night. Security is not guaranteed in any country,†reasoned Franz Beckenbauer in reply to Hoeness’ bias. And these are comments the Kaiser must be profoundly proud of.
The World Cup has had it all. From the heart-crashing defeats such as Ghana’s loss to Uruguay, to depressing losses – Argentina’s 4-0 thumping by Germany – the tournament has mirrored all football’s facets.
Talent discovery
New prodigies have been born with Japan’s Keisuke Honda perhaps leading the roster. He has been hailed by many including Arsene Wenger who stated that, “When they (Japan) get the ball they can give it to Honda – and the magic starts.â€
Ghana’s Anthony Annan, who has elevated the importance of the Makelele role, has also been one of the unknown entities that have etched their names in the hearts of many fans.
We have already had penalties, major flops, an African representative in the last eight and a new word, vuvuzela, has been added to the English dictionary. What more can we ask for! Over to Brazil 2014.
Eden Kironde is a panelist on Vision Voice’s Sportlight show