Dear Mr Fifa President,

Thank you for bringing the world cup to Africa and being such a reverent promoter of African football… Thank you for brightening our dark corner with the shimmering gold trophy, that once upon a time was more than likely scavenged from the depths of our continent…Thank you for allowing us to blow our vuvuzelas acknowledging [...]

Bye Bye Uruguay…You Just Got Van Hammered!!!

 Today Ghana welcomed back her BlackStars with open arms by throwing a parade and concert at Independence square, where each valiant warrior was bathed with well wishes and cheers to cushion the blow and wash away any loitering traumas from our showdown with Uruguay.  Ofcourse we here in Ghana knew that Uruguay were not [...]

Black Stars….The Pride & Pain – World Cup Day 22

Well where do I begin?  Ghana Land of Freedom and Justice yesterday evening was a thriving cistern of activity…with roads blocked off….big screens setup…live bands playing….flags waving…vuvuzelas blowing…I once again adorned myself in red, gold and green…and like the rest of my fellow countrymen, prepared for the battle that was to be had.  Forlan, Suarez [...]

Last Kick of the Game – World Cup Day 18 & 19

Who would’ve thought that in a game which spans sometimes even in excess of 90 minutes that the last kick of the game could be so important. Slovakia and Paraguay are two nations who know only too well the significance of this. In the final few matches in the round of 16 the Slovak’s faced [...]

Three Lions on a Plane – World Cup Day 17

“Capello can’t stop another World Cup Flop”  “Awful England” can offer “no defence” “Ref…U should’ve gone to Specsavers!” The debate for video technology to be introduced to the game of football has once again been ignited, after a pitiful decision by the referee denied England an equalising goal, as they trailed 2-1 behind Germany.  Although [...]

Pride & Joy…Yes We Can! Yes We Did! Ghana Black Stars – World Cup Day 16

The Power…the Finesse…The  Dedication…The Teamwork….The Skills…The Goals….And The Glory!! “1 Black Star of Africa defeats the 50 Stars of America!” The road to Rustenburg has not been plain sailing for the Black Stars; a win against Serbia, a draw against the Socceroos, and a loss to Ze Germans, all led to a head to head [...]

Soweto Township: World Cup – Day 15

There was a tramp…a man so poor that he had no shoes on his feet…he had little food in his belly….he had only one ragged shirt to his name….he felt so  deprived that one day he decided that his life was no longer worth living…. In the distance he saw thick vines hanging from a [...]

We Are In You Are Out! – World Cup Day 13 & 14

Slovakia’s Earth Shattering Defeat over Italy! USA’s Injury Time Sensation! France’s…Je ne sais quoi? Ghana Champions of the African Game! In a tournament which has failed to alight the footballing prowess of the African Nations.  Ghana has once again taken the aspirations of the whole continent on her shoulders, with our boys being the only [...]

A Cape to Remember! – World Cup Day 12

Cape Town….Absolutely incredible….From the moment one steps out of the airport and presented is with the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain to first sight of the astonishing Victoria and Albert waterfront.  This city is a culmination of my three favourite places….It has the vibrancy of Rio, the infrastructure and skyline of New York, and the [...]

Restoring Order: World Cup Day 10 & 11

 Today after an eventful morning in which my tickets to the Spain v Honduras match where pickpocketed!…. I decided to do the next best thing to watching the match in the stadium….Instead I paid a visit Nelson Mandela’s square in the heart of Sandton one of the most affluent areas of the city, which not [...]

Fathers 4 Football: World Cup Day 9

I woke up this morning with a pain in the depths of my gut….Cameroons’ loss to Denmark yesterday afternoon meant that one of the forces in the African game was to book an early flight home from South Africa. I heard the news on my way back from an eventful afternoon in my red gold [...]

There is no Future without Sound: World Cup – Day 7

Following the earlier demise of the Nigerian team from grace, the imminent exit of the Super Eagles was yet another dagger to the heart of African aspirations in this world cup. But what better way is there to ease the pains of life and football than engaging in a little bit of music therapy; which [...]

Africa – Expect the Unexpected: World Cup – Day 6

When high-school students in Soweto started protesting for better education on 16 June 1976, police responded with teargas and live bullets. They surprised their oppressors, the Apartheid government by demonstrating against legislation that insisted that; “Natives [blacks] must be taught from an early age that equality with Europeans [whites] is not for them. Black people [...]

Clap for Korea! World Cup – Day 5

Today I was made aware that it is not only the English that hold 1966 as a year dear to their hearts.  For Korea DPR their most glorified moment in international footballing history also came about during the 1966 world cup, in which they audaciously knocked out European heavy-weights Italy to reach the quarterfinals!  However [...]

The Audacity of Hope: World Cup – Day 4

Obama hoped to be president of the United States of America… Nelson Mandela hoped for the ending of apartheid… Black Stars hope to win the World Cup…. South Africa hopes to make the most of this world cup utilising the generated revenues to bridge the huge income inequality that currently is scaring the reputation of [...]

1966 the Year to Remember! World Cup – Day 2

When you hear the year 1966, what pops to mind?  I think back to my history classes at school in an attempt to dredge up all the dates that were taught to me; from Tudor times, to the First and Second World Wars, to the election of Britain’s first female Prime Minister, to the Iraq [...]