Lamin Manneh 

>From: Y C Jow <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: world cup 2002 >Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001 14:13:18 EST > >Guys: >Since there has been a serious outbreak of hypersensitivity on this forum >regarding my approach at times, I shall refrain from referring to Nigerians >as the "Ogas" and the Senegalese as "Grandes" in the hopes that this will be >the start of more "civility" emanating from this corner of the World. > >Anyway my take on Africa's chances in the WC is as follows: > >Senegal despite the gargantuan opening day with France couldn't have asked >for a better occasion to showcase its skills against the former colonial >masters. In fact, dailies like Le Soleil are simply ecstatic that Les Lions >Teranga will have the whole World from Kandahar to Casamance watching them. > > It will be one of those moments when the hearts of all folks from the >Senegambian region will swell up and almost burst with pride as the Lions >file out in front of a capacity crowd in Seoul stadium as the PA system >announces last names which signify that our blood brothers are taking the >field onto the World stage. Names such as Coly, Diaw, Diatta, Diouf, Ndiaye >etc etc will be announced and certainly this moment alone will see many a >tear also shed in our part of the World. > >The job which faces Senegal in a group with Denmark, Uruguay and France is a >tough task but not an impossible one. Ashjborn might dispute this, but >African teams have traditionally done well against the Danes. S. Africa >almost beat them during the past WC and Nigeria lost to the Danes because of >overconfidence and tactical naivety on the part of our Nigerian brothers, >since Oliseh, the only midfield defender during that game did not have the >range, support or speed to check a marauding Danish midfield led by the >Laudrup brothers. But this time around, things will be different, since our >cousins from Senegal cannot afford to be overconfident since they have been >deemed the weakest team in the group. Furthermore, they are certainly no >weaker than S. Africa which managed to hold a strong Danish team to a draw >during the past WC. > >The Senegalese also know French football best by virtue of having the most >pro players in the French league. Additionally, because of the magnitude of >the occasion expect I expect them to battle to death, leaving their hearts on >the field rather than be humiliated by Zidane + CO. This opener will be an >interesting one and I would not be the least surprised if they cause the >biggest upset in the history of football. Uruguay will also be a tough test >for the team, but Australia which caused Uruguay some problems in the >qualifying round is certainly no better than Senegal, and while football is >not mathematics, this does bode well for the team. > >As for our Nigerian brothers, like Senegal they do have a chance to right >some wrongs our colonial masters heaped on us by beating the overhyped kick >and rush boys, England. They certainly have the capability to beat them on >any given day since they have one of the most talented teams on the >continent. Sweden can also be had but Argentina will be the toughest side. >However, anyone who knows anything about our brothers will tell you they rise >to the biggest occasions. They have done it multiple times and the Olympics >96 victory plus the game against Spain come to mind. I have a feeling that >in this game, the true "Shakara" spirit will be manifested on the field on >that day and the S. Americans might be in for a great surprise. But the our >Nigerian brothers should get their house in order as it concerns money issues >and internal team squabbling should they exepct to make a good showing. > >I shall stop here for today for a lack of time, but expect more comments from >me regarding the other African teams in due time. > >Cheers! > ><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<> > >To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface >at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html >To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: >[log in to unmask] > ><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>