I know we Africans have a special passion for football. I talked about this during my World Cup Fever period probably ad nauseum. This unfortunate event in Zambia shows that our love for football can be twisted. The loss of life here was unnecessary. We have a particular passion for English football, all you have to do is look at the minibuses emblazoned with their love for Premier League teams. However, this was one match and not an important one at that. I am really happy that Chelsea beat Man U coz I really can't stand them and their fans are even worse but there was no need for things to come to this. :( is all I have to say...That and I'll bleed blue forever...
There is a way to love the game without turning it into a blood sport. Stampedes are very common in Africa at stadiums in particular. That is usually due to poor infrastructure. Let us not exacerbate the problem by causing unnecessary loss of life at bars and other viewing venues.
Me, Chelsea Stadium, March 2009
There is a way to love the game without turning it into a blood sport. Stampedes are very common in Africa at stadiums in particular. That is usually due to poor infrastructure. Let us not exacerbate the problem by causing unnecessary loss of life at bars and other viewing venues.
Thanks for keeping us updated on those news that don't always reach the eye.
ReplyDeleteI'm no football fan and I can see how the passion can translate into anger and anger into violence but still I wonder sometimes if there's something more underneath acts like this. It's just beyond me that something as trivial as football can lead to murder...!