Opinions
African football and the power of “juju”
- Thursday, 13 September 2012
- administrator
Superstitions are not uncommon in sport, and football and its players are no exception to this rule. From the greatest in the sport to the myriad others hoping to become so, weird practices/routines before, during or after the game are as much as a part of playing the game itself.
Chelsea captain and England defender, John Terry apparently sits in the same place in the team bus. Former England and Manchester United defender, Gary Neville too admits to following set routines – same set of shoes, same belt, etc. In a desperate attempt to help his team get back to winning ways, Barry Fry, during his days as the Birmingham City manager, admitted to urinating in the 4 corners of the field. His team did fare much better, but Fry was soon kicked out.
There have been instances of players/staff relying on the Almighty to help them/team perform to expectations. The most classic example of this being, former Italy coach Giovanni Trappatoni, who was seen sprinkling holy water on the playing field.
Comments (Gambia needs a break from international football
- Monday, 25 June 2012
- Gibril MS Jassey
Gambian football needs to undergo a five-year break in order to develop our players from the grassroots level. The current performance of our players in the senior national team the (Scorpions) is very woeful. Our players seriously lack ability compared to other countries national teams.
They easily get tired, when playing. Is it that they lack enough training time to prepare themselves against their opponents? The recent performance of the Scorpions against Algeria both at home and away and as well against Morocco at home is very disappointing. The way our team plays is like there is no team spirit among them.
Is it because our players are not well motivated so that they can give the country their best of performance when playing for the Gambia or is it because, our so-called foreign based players are not up to the same standard compared to other players from other national teams?
I think it is even better we concentrate on our local based players and give them all the necessary motivation needed and do away with our self claimed professionals who cannot bring any glory for the country. It is hard to say but our foreign-based players are not up to standard for us to surely rely on them, if we want to achieve any qualification to any major tournaments at the senior level.
Comments (Has the Scorpion lost its Sting? - Gambia Vs. Algeria (An Analysis of Gambian Football)
- Friday, 02 March 2012
- Latirr Carr
We have inherited a lot of things from our colonial masters; the language which we are yet to master, the needless pride which takes us more backward than forward, public hatred for anything French but a secret desire to be fluent in it, the lazy, laid-back attitude that has allowed our neighbours to take full advantage of our short comings, but even worse, our lack of success in football.
Like the English, we have a seriously unquestionable love for the game. Everywhere you go on a sunny weekend, “video clubs” are packed, discussions are thrillingly opulent and a football air takes over the living rooms. There was a time, when I like many others thought we were truly the best at this game but were unfortunate not to have the financial status to support our talents. Unfortunately for me, I grew up in a football loving family where weekend games were a must-watch and “African Cup of Nations” as it was called was the highlight of its hosted year. Living in that environment, I saw such a display of football talent that I was yet to witness in the smiling coast.
Comments (GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND PETER BONU JOHNSON
- Tuesday, 28 February 2012
- Tijan Masanneh Ceesay
On Wednesday February 29th, an extraordinary day given its a leap year, you will be carrying that very beautiful flag that Pa Louis Thomasi designed to the front lines.
Maybe not to the frontlines of Darfur, or Peace keeping in Kosovo, but right there in our own backyard where the sacred ponds of Katchikally will be looking on in quite a protective manner when the Algerian tourists come to town. From the beautiful waterfronts of Palmaren to the shanty towns of of Joal, all prayers.
From the beautiful waterfronts of Palmaren to the shanty towns of of Joal, all prayers
are afoot for their favorite Son, Bonu Johnson, to come out with a much needed victory. While the game is one of equals and may go any direction any day, I can borrow a Latin phrase to speak of my friend at this most defining time in your very promising career, “Candor dat viribus alas,” which translate to, “Sincerity gives wings to strength,” that’s the Man I grew up with and the Man I know and without one iota of doubt, I will say unequivocally without any reservation that The Scorpions under your watch will be ready, full of energy and patriotism and represent The Gambia with class, integrity and dignity, familiar traits of yours.
Comments (
THE SCORPIONS ARE IN GOOD HANDS; PETER BONU JOHNSON IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB
- Friday, 06 January 2012
- Modou Lamin Beyai
The Gambian Sports waves have been buzzing lately with the appointment of Peter Bonu Johnson as Head Coach for the senior national scorpions. Evidently what should have been a real victory and vindication for local Gambian coaches has become a rather murky situation with some mudslinging and misguided statements coming from some corners of the footballing spectrum.
However it is convincing to note that the winningest Man in Gambian Football by far one of continental Africa’s most respectable football personalities in Alhagie OB Conateh have stepped forward and dilated positively on this appointment. Along with him is one of Gambia’s most celebrated football commentators and Sports Journalist in my very distinguished colleague in Peter Gomez [of West Coast Radio and Gambia Sports Online], who like me believes deep down in his Heart that given the ‘right’ support and tools, Bonu can get the job done.
Compelled by the numerous emails by some of my colleagues in the sports media fraternity, I feel obligated to come out and support all those who stand behind this appointment which is a step in the right direction. While the stigma remains that only a foreign coach can improve our football prowess which realistically is a taboo if we take the success of foreign coaches into account; this is the right time to nurture our own and ensure that we give them the tools and environment to become dominant like their colleagues in say Ghana because ours are equally on the same pedestal as their counterparts in other jurisdictions within the sub-region. Comments (