We had another football game last Saturday against Koche Hill. It was definitely a typical African experience. After Saturday classes (8:00-12:00) I ate some nsima and chicken for lunch and got ready to leave for the match at 1:30 (the scheduled time). We were going to take the big truck (you’ve seen a picture of it), but of course, had to wait for it to get fixed. At 3:15, the truck was working, but had to go unload sand in the opposite direction of the match. While most of us waited, some students hopped in the back of the truck and went to help unload sand. About ½ an hour later, we got word that the truck had broken down. We decided to walk to the match which was only about half an hour away. (If you’re like me, you’re now wondering why we didn’t just walk in the first place.) We walked to the match, worrying about how late we were (even for African standards) and the fact that we now had some members of our team with the broken down truck (more than an hour’s walk away). We showed up at about 4:15 ready to play the match (minus a few players and fans) but, of course, the other team had grown sick of waiting and left to go watch another match at the other end of the village.
As usually happens in these situations, just when the the mzungu (me) is beginning to lose it, everything works out.
Someone returned with the Koche Hill team and Sibale pulled up in his truck with the kids from the break down dancing and singing in the back. Rumor has it Koche Hill had to get some random villagers to join their team.
The netball game was cancelled b/c of the late start (and I didn’t see enough of our girls around anyways), and the football game was shortened to 30 minute halves. We were down 1-0 most of the second half, but a late substitute scored in the closing minutes to tie it up. It was very exciting; all the fans danced on the field with the team for quite awhile before the game started again. We drew 1-1, in one of those weird contests where we left feeling like we won because we tied it so late.
Also of note in the game: The referee sat down (in the middle of the field, while reffing) for a good chunk of time in the second half. Jabulanie’s brother Mabvuto was on the Koche Hill team, leading to the following conversation.
-Mabvuto! (most of us still call him Mabvuto)
-yes sir.
-your brother was on the other team?
-ah, yes sir.
-So that’s Mabvuto!
-haha, yes sir.
Things to note in the picture: 1. The kids on the right are students parading around, (partially on) the field singing and dancing. 2. We’re still in our Canisius gear. 3. None of the players are wearing any shoes.
As usually happens in these situations, just when the the mzungu (me) is beginning to lose it, everything works out.
Someone returned with the Koche Hill team and Sibale pulled up in his truck with the kids from the break down dancing and singing in the back. Rumor has it Koche Hill had to get some random villagers to join their team.
The netball game was cancelled b/c of the late start (and I didn’t see enough of our girls around anyways), and the football game was shortened to 30 minute halves. We were down 1-0 most of the second half, but a late substitute scored in the closing minutes to tie it up. It was very exciting; all the fans danced on the field with the team for quite awhile before the game started again. We drew 1-1, in one of those weird contests where we left feeling like we won because we tied it so late.
Also of note in the game: The referee sat down (in the middle of the field, while reffing) for a good chunk of time in the second half. Jabulanie’s brother Mabvuto was on the Koche Hill team, leading to the following conversation.
-Mabvuto! (most of us still call him Mabvuto)
-yes sir.
-your brother was on the other team?
-ah, yes sir.
-So that’s Mabvuto!
-haha, yes sir.
Things to note in the picture: 1. The kids on the right are students parading around, (partially on) the field singing and dancing. 2. We’re still in our Canisius gear. 3. None of the players are wearing any shoes.
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