Loosely translated the title is the ball you use with the foot
After rushing back from Cape Maclear, I went to Namiase football ground where we were supposed to play our games. The matches were supposed to start at 2:00, and our players said that they would come at noon. Naturally, I was the only one there at 2:00, wondering if anyone would show up. It was raining, which always works to delay Africans even further. Everyone showed up eventually though, and I mean everyone. I don’t know how all the people knew about the game, but it seemed like everyone in the nearby villages was there. The girls unfortunately lost in netball, but the boys won (3-2)! I’m told they didn’t win a single game all last season. Clearly their new found success must be due to their new sports master. Actually I didn’t do too much coaching. It’s kind of hard to talk to your team at halftime when half the fans gather around the team, and everyone is speaking Chichewa. Some other interesting notes from the game:
Suddenly our team had uniforms. Apparently the kids borrowed them from a local village team. Lots of the kids borrowed boots as well. Don’t worry, Praise and Alex still played with one shoe on.
Everyone rushes on to the field whenever a goal is scored. (the picture is kids running back to the sidelines)
The netball girls and other students danced around the field singing songs in support. (One group for each school)
To my surprise, two kids from the technical school were suddenly on our team. You might call these kids ringers, but I figure our school is short two grades (we only have freshman and sophomores) so we can use the help without feeling too bad. Our best players are still from Gracious.
Mussa James, our captain, scored 2 goals. He’s ridiculously good.
We hope to have another game this weekend.
After rushing back from Cape Maclear, I went to Namiase football ground where we were supposed to play our games. The matches were supposed to start at 2:00, and our players said that they would come at noon. Naturally, I was the only one there at 2:00, wondering if anyone would show up. It was raining, which always works to delay Africans even further. Everyone showed up eventually though, and I mean everyone. I don’t know how all the people knew about the game, but it seemed like everyone in the nearby villages was there. The girls unfortunately lost in netball, but the boys won (3-2)! I’m told they didn’t win a single game all last season. Clearly their new found success must be due to their new sports master. Actually I didn’t do too much coaching. It’s kind of hard to talk to your team at halftime when half the fans gather around the team, and everyone is speaking Chichewa. Some other interesting notes from the game:
Suddenly our team had uniforms. Apparently the kids borrowed them from a local village team. Lots of the kids borrowed boots as well. Don’t worry, Praise and Alex still played with one shoe on.
Everyone rushes on to the field whenever a goal is scored. (the picture is kids running back to the sidelines)
The netball girls and other students danced around the field singing songs in support. (One group for each school)
To my surprise, two kids from the technical school were suddenly on our team. You might call these kids ringers, but I figure our school is short two grades (we only have freshman and sophomores) so we can use the help without feeling too bad. Our best players are still from Gracious.
Mussa James, our captain, scored 2 goals. He’s ridiculously good.
We hope to have another game this weekend.
1 comment:
Conor, I just played my very first soccer game EVER last week! It was nothing like this, though! Long live the sports master!
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