DÉJÀ VU: FEELING THE ’98 BLUES ALL AGAIN

It was a game between Nigeria and Denmark. It was the second round (1/16^th) stage of the World Cup. A win will see Nigeria emulate the grand achievement of Cameroon of making it to the quarter finals of the tournament. The good run of the Super Eagles gave many Africans the confidence and hope of them going far (Nigeria had beaten Bulgaria by a goal to nil in their last game. The Bulgarian team had the charismatic Hristo Stoickhov in their line-up).

That game with Denmark happened to be the last game for Nigeria as they succumbed to a 4-1 defeat. Peter Moller, Brian Laudrup, Ebb Sand, Michael Laudrup and Thomas Helveg put the Super Eagles, led by coach Bora Militinovic to the sword. They, however, pulled one back as consolation. It was too little too late (apologies to ace football commentator Kwabena Yeboah). This was in 1998 at the World Cup which was hosted and ultimately won by France.

Whereas the world was enjoying the football fever, down here in Ghana, something was biting at that fever. 1998 was an era of light-offs (christened dumsor today) and erosion of economic circumstances. The country was experiencing energy crises with inflation at its galloping best hitting 40% by end of year.

That day- 28^th June, 1998-I had to watch the game at a friend’s house because the lights were off at my end. I trekked a distance-from Ayeeko Ayeeko, a suburb of Cape Coast, which is nearer to Tantri Station to Aboom (those who know truly Cape coast will know these suburbs). My friend had placed a bet on Nigeria to win the match but the Danes had other ideas.

Sixteen years down the line, we are back here again. The energy crises is staring us in the face again. The World Cup has come again. Many Ghanaians are going to be denied the chance to watch yet another spectacle. For sixteen years, the energy crises that have afflicted our country have not been properly addressed. Time without number, the politicians-both in power and in opposition-continue to advance promises about improving the energy situation at every opportune time.

Recently, it was reported that the energy minister has called on Ghanaians to pray for rains in other to generate adequate hydro energy for the country. His ‘appeal’ goes to prove how those appointed to solve problems continue to settle for ad-hoc measures and lazy solutions to our problems. And this isn’t peculiar to the energy sector. It’s a national problem which goes to explicitly point to why our beloved country is still stuck where we are.

Tomorrow, the World Cup begins. Brazil, the host will play against Croatia. Electricity Company of Ghana is reported to have promised (a promise no serious Ghanaian will take to heart) that some 50 Megawatts of power from Cote D’Ivoire will be sourced to augment what is generated here, so that fans can watch when the Black Stars are playing.

Considering the times these games will be played mixed with the erratic power situation, it seems having a generator set in your house should be a MUST. Failure to acquire one will mean you missing out on the thrill the World Cup brings along every four (4) years.

France won the 1998 World Cup on home soil beating Brazil, the defending champions to it. 

This year, football has gone back home to Brasilia. As a fan of Brazil-after the Black Stars obviously, I tip them to win it like France did. Should that happen, don’t forget to call me ‘Octopus Swaye”

THE EXCITEMENT OF THE WORLD CUP ISN’T ONLY ABOUT THE GOALS

Just under a week, the biggest sporting spectacle in the world will open in Rio, Brazil. Not only will the World Cup offer us incredible excitement- the display of subliminal and often unbelievable skills that beat the imagination of fans, stunning goals and controversies-it is also an opportune time for players to advertise themselves (not only the football) to the almost a billion people who will be watching the 2014 Mundial in Rio, Brazil.

Below, I have listed four (4) things that may catch your fancy at this year’s World Cup.

1. Hairstyles: The World Cup hasn’t fallen short of wild and sometimes bizarre hairstyles. This is becoming a ritual. These hairstyles have become symbols of identification for players rather than the names and numbers on back of their jerseys.

Whiles some hairstyles have faded after the tourneys, others have kept their luster and provoked nostalgic memories over the years, both on and off the pitch. Mention can be made of the iconic blown, golden curly hair of Columbian playmaker, Carlos Valderama, which, thanks to the likes of Carlos Puyol (Spain) and David Luiz (Brazil) still seems cool to wear. Other hairstyles worth remembering include the baldy style (Fabian Barthez, Ronaldo di Lima), the dreadlocks of Cameroonian Cyrille Makanaky or the outrageous Ronaldo haircut of 2002 World Cup. 

Columbian talisman Carlos Valderrama

Who can also forget the interestingly ridiculous blonde hair worn by the Romanian national team following their quarter final berth in France 98? Or David Beckham’s horse hair cut which became a fashion statement in 2002? Modern version of this is the Mohawks. 

The Romanian team of 1998

Ronaldo

2. Celebrations: From Klose’s half somersault to Rashid Yekini’s emotional ‘net hug’ to Maniche’s run after scoring for Portugal in their ‘dirty game’ with the Netherlands in 2006, the World Cup has been graced by incredible celebrations.

The corner flag waist wriggling dance by Cameroonian legend, Roger Mila in 1990 and the baby rocking celebration made famous by Bebeto in 1994 readily come to mind as among the famous goal celebrations of the World Cup. And with the likes of Balotelli around, there will be exciting celebrations (you haven’t forgotten his muscle-flex right).

The Roger Mila dance

3. Shocking Moments: Each World Cup brings in her wake moments of shock. These come in the form of theatrics by players to con the referee to either send a player off or win a penalty (diving has been identified as one of the overly abused theatric), players resorting to unconventional ways to win games or save their teams (a la Maradona’s hand of God) or referees committing very elementary blunders (Graham Poll) or an unforgivable, shocking and jaw dropping miss like that of Yakubu Ayigbeni in South Africa in 2010.

Yakubu Ayigbeni's miss 

 

Fans easily recall the shameful dramatization by Brazil’s Rivaldo in 2002 when he clutched his face as if he has been hit by a canon ball, when indeed; the ball kicked by the Turkish player had hit his thigh. Ghanaians and for that matter the world can’t forget that Suarez ball handling incident in 2010. Zidane Zidan laid bare a shocking spectacle in 2006 when he head butted Italian Marco Materrazzi in the finals which many pundits believed contributed in diminishing France’s chances of winning the trophy.

 

the infamous Zidan head butt

4. The WAGS: Some teams have permitted wives and girlfriends (WAGS) access to their husbands and boyfriends during the football season. Some of these WAGS may be present in the stands to cheer their men on. And trust the cameras to give us shots of them on TV (yes Posh Beckham).

Remember also this is Brazil where the samba never stops. Each world cup has brought out the samba girls clad in their magnificent carnival attire and this tourney won’t be short of that.

As the footballing world awaits the commencement of the World Cup in Rio, Ghanaians please remember not to get shocked by ECG 

FOKN Bois Reminding us of ECG's intentions