Let�s be happy for once

Mmegi Editor | Friday March 7, 2014 16:38

For some reason, the rain paused for a few hours to allow the game to continue. This was the first Zebras  game for 2014, months after the last official game, which we lost to South Africa 4-0. The defeat was humiliating as did the events surrounding it such as the Zebra supporters getting lost and sleeping on the streets of Durban.

 That was the time when we were under the directorship of coach Stanley Tshosane whose contribution to the game should never be undermined by anybody. All that is behind us and we have to move on.

The Zebras management recently hired coach Peter Butler whom we are trying and testing. The Briton has only been in the country for a few months and this was the first game to test his abilities. 

The game ended up with a 3-0 score in our favour. The attendance wasn’t very impressive, perhaps due to the heavy rains and the recent disappointing run from the national team.  The win should inspire us as a nation that we should have hope in the beautiful game of football and the future.

However, we are a nation that was recently crowned amongst the unhappiest on earth, and that is reflected by our comments on social media, and radio stations, even when we are supposed to be happy. The ‘complainants’ question The Zebras win, and even go to the extent of nullifying the victory.  Some of them say we should not celebrate because the South Sudan team was packed with amateurs who have just emerged from a civil war.

Sport is sport – at war or peace. With the peace that we have enjoyed for decades, it would seem  we have become so negative about ourselves that even a successful sporting event cannot bring smiles to our faces. Some of the comments raised are that the team was tired so we shouldn’t celebrate our victory.

Let us not forget that football is a sport that is celebrated worldwide. We have witnessed teams go to the world cup final after being awarded points on decisions outside the football pitch. We have witnessed referees making mistakes that have cost other teams a fortune. The bottom line is that football is a sport.

This is a sport that has united even sworn enemies here at home, and abroad. We watch games every weekend after which coaches shake hands and move on. As a nation, we should applaud our boys for restoring out confidence in them, reversing the misfortunes of the recent past.

With dedication, patience and discipline, our Zebras can be part of the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.  In fact, we have proven to be a formidable lot as evidenced by our qualification to the AFCON 2012 co-hosted by Guinea and Gabon.