For the Love of Bafana Bafana

FOR THE LOVE OF BAFANA

I have a confession.

I never actually saw Bongani Khumalo’s “headed” goal vs France hit the back of the French net. I did watch the game. I did see the Siphiwe Tshabalala corner swing into the French area and the French goalkeeper flap at air. But as Bongani rose above the French defenders, I was already off my seat and jumping wildly in celebration.

I have another confession.

I never saw Kathlego Mphela’s goal (the second for South Africa on the night) cross the French goal line. I was still watching the game ofcourse. I saw Tshepo Masilela fighting for the ball in the French box and stroking the jabulani ball towards the French goal mouth. I saw that the ball somehow arrived at the feet of Mphela, just centimetres from the goal line. But again, before the ball rolled between the posts or touched the back of he net, I had run 50 metres in celebration while waving my green and gold South African scarf.

I have one final confession.

I believed in Bafana Bafana.

Like thousands of South Africans around our truly magnificent country, I embraced the 2010 World Cup with ready enthusiasm. I bought a unite 4 bafana wristband, a Bafana scarf, a Bafana shirt, a South African flag for my car, and most importantly I bought into the dream of Bafana Bafana at this the African World Cup.

I know thousands upon thousands of my fellow South Africans did the same. We believed in Bafana Bafana (‘the boys”). We believed that at a minimum the boys would progress to the second round of the 2010 World Cup. Some of my South African brothers and sisters even had faith that this South African soccer side would lift the World Cup itself. I know that I was close to feeling the same. Forget logic. Throw doubt out the window. We believed in our team, our country. We believed in destiny. And we lost... or did we?

Over 180 000 South Africans poured onto the streets of Sandton in Johannesburg to watch the Bafana pre-tournament parade. To show their support of our side. (It is now clear that this parade caused extreme mental exhaustion to the players and contributed to a poor and tired performance vs Uruguay)

When South Africa lined up against Mexico, it seemed as if the whole of our beloved country had stopped their day-to-day lives so as to watch and support Bafana.

And even when the dream seemed dead, South Africans from all backgrounds refused to give up the Bafana dream, and again devoted their time and hearts in support of Our Boys vs France in what was to be their final game.

So have we really lost?

Perhaps Shakespeare (or whoever) said it best. It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.

In the year of 2010, we loved Bafana Bafana, and we lost.

But we didn’t really lose at all.

Saving the White Elephant

Before the Cape Town Stadium Visitors Centre closed down, I had the privilege of attending a show at the Centre. In the show the performers spoke of how Green Point common was used as a sports ground by slaves and how during the early years of Apartheid it was the ground where many Cape Town football clubs, such as Sea Point Swifts, played their soccer. It was explained that because of the Group Areas Act, many of the communities that had used Green Point common as a sports ground were forced to other areas in the Western Cape, which resulted in a club such as Sea Point Swifts retaining their name, but playing out of the Bonteheuwel community.

We now have the unique honour as Capetonians to have a magnificent stadium on the site of the former Green Point commons. The stadium has brought soccer back to a place where it was played by many of our forefathers. Also the stadium will play host to eight World Cup soccer matches. What is going to happen to the stadium after the World Cup?

Many have said that the stadium will become a White Elephant. Western Province Rugby have said that both Western Province and the Stormers will continue to play their rugby games at Newlands, and since Western Province Rugby have the rights to host Springbok games in Cape Town it is likely that all Springbok games will be played at Newlands too. So what will become of Cape Town stadium after the World Cup?

As I have said, the stadium is built on a historical piece of land that was used by our forefathers to play the game of soccer. Because of the FIFA World Cup, soccer will again be played on this site. In Cape Town we are fortunate to have three top soccer sides playing in Cape Town. For those of you that do not know, the teams are: Ajax Cape Town, Santos and Vasco Da Gama. It is these local soccer sides that will have the opportunity to use the Cape Town Stadium after the World Cup. And it is up to us as Capetonians to go out and attend the matches that they play, thereby insuring that our stadium in Cape Town does not become a white elephant.

I’ve heard all the complaints about dagga in the stadiums and the poor quality of soccer played by the local soccer teams. I will remind everyone that no matter how many drunk idiots are at Newlands, and no matter how poorly the Stormers have played in the past, the rugby sides in Cape Town enjoy good attendance at Newlands. So why not soccer? As Capetonians, are we going to allow a stadium that has given us the right to reclaim land in the heart of the Mother City to become a White Elephant? I for one aim to make a difference, and you can too.

I urge you, my fellow Capetonians to start supporting one of the three Cape Town soccer sides. Yes, you may have to sacrifice watching a few overseas soccer matches on TV, but if you can just pick one of these sides as YOUR TEAM – go and attend 5 of their matches at the new Cape Town Stadium – then you will be making a difference in your own city.

How easy would it be for you to arrange for 20 of your family and friends to attend 5 local soccer matches at the Cape Town Stadium? If 100 of us do this, then there will be 2000 Capetonians in the stands. If 1000 of us do this, then there will be 20 000 people in the stands. We can do this Cape Town.

We can SAVE THE WHITE ELEPHANT!!!

Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jimmy Cook Curse

PIRATES OF THE CARIBEAN AND THE JIMMY COOK CURSE

Hindsight is twenty-twenty. And twenty-twenty cricket is the way the future of the sport.

The recent 20/20 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies has been neatly packaged, fresh, exciting... and sour for all South African cricket lovers. Here are some quick notes from the recent World Cup:

• Australia are beginning to find their legs in the 20/20 format of the game. The performance of the Aussies in this World Cup has shown once again that it is better to have a man fear you than have a man respect. At least that is what the “real” Frank Lucas of American Gangster fame said. The Aussies take the simple approach of hitting the opposing team with a straight right in the nose early in the game thereby putting the fear of God in the opposition. The kicking the man while he is down part that comes thereafter is pure Aussie attitude of take no prisoners... except if they are immigrating from the British Empire to a god-forsaken island.

• The West Indies is in the Caribbean. The Caribbean was the place frequented by Pirates in the good old days. The English navy made it a point to flush out all pirates and did a splendid job at ending the era of the pirates. (The English obviously forgot those pirates in Somalia) Now with the 20/20 World Cup in the West Indies, it seemed ironic that it is the English side who have become the real pirates of the cricketing world. Very good pirates I might add. Black Beard would have so proud. The English have plundered the South African shores to the tune of three top order batsmen (Lumb, Kieswetter, Pietersen), and as if that wasn’t enough, the English even had the audacity to steal from the Irish (Morgan). The luck that this English side has had at the recent World Cup shows that the English may even have robbed the Irish of their renowned, but never seen, Irish luck.

• South Africa is the joke of the cricketing world. The Jimmy Cook Curse is alive. If there aren’t wholesale changes to the South African side (and despite all the talk, there won’t be) then I’ll eat this article (munch munch... tastes good, I didn’t even choke.)

What is the Jimmy Cook Curse you may be asking? Well, as a (semi-retired) South African cricketing supporter, it was the one way I could explain the misfortunes of the (formerly) beloved Proteas. Forget 2003 and the whole Duckworth-Lewis rain debacle that saw South Africa draw Sri Lanka and exit the World Cup at the group stage. Erase from your memories that scene in 1999 of Donald and Klusener shaking hands in the middle of the pitch while the Aussies celebrated a draw and the elimination of South Africa in the semi-final. Plead amnesia when someone talks about the fact that the Proteas rested Fanie de Villiers and Allan Donald during a knockout match vs Brian Lara’s West Indies at the 1996 World Cup. Remain silent as you see that famous sign of 22 runs off 1 ball as Brian McMillan and Dave Richardson saw in the semi-final of the 1992 World Cup. You want to know the real reason why South Africa never succeed in the big match? Look no further than Jimmy Cook and the curse.

In 1992, Jimmy Cook was approaching 40 years. He’d had a great provincial and county cricket career, but due to ban on South Africa competing in international sports, he had never had the chance to represent his country at international level. So cruel and unfair, poor Jimmy. (Cry me a river, Mr. Sono, and South African soccer suffered the worst during the isolation period, that’s a fact... poor Jomo)

When South Africa were readmitted into the cricketing world, many of the “greats” – Clive Rice, Jimmy Cook and Peter Kirsten were old and bald, but despite their age, they were selected to represent South Africa in the Indian tour of 1992. Now, let’s make this clear, these guys were old, very old, but they still wanted to play. They knew that they were pass their prime, but to hell with that, they wanted to represent their country. Noble? Maybe... True? No....

Jimmy Cook and Clive Rice probably couldn’t have cared less about representing South Africa. What these old players wanted was a chance to show the world that they could have been great international players had South Africa not been banned. They had been denied a chance to have glorious international careers simply because the world though Apartheid was wrong. Shame. So here comes the Indians with players like Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Srinath etc. and the South African old boys see a chance to show the world that South Africa have an overflowing amount of cricket talent. Am I accusing Cook and Rice of being anti-South Africa? No, they probably loved South Africa. What should be said is that they were no less selfish and arrogant than the present day Proteas. They believed themselves to be great players and bigger than the team... and that stain has carried over to the present day Proteas.

Example 1: A.B. de Villiers comes out and says I don’t want to play wicketkeeper. Imagine any player in any international cricketing country coming out and saying that I don’t want to play a certain position. So much for being grateful just for being selected and contributing to the team effort.

Example 2: The shock that the South African players feel when they lose Pakistan in a game where they were required to score 7.5 runs per over. Who is Pakistan? (Uhm.. the 2009 champions of 20/20 cricket) We’re better and should have coasted to victory.

Example 3: When the 20/20 format first began, South Africa used it as way of introducing young players to the pressures of international cricket. Young players were picked in these games and the regular (old) players had a well earned rest. Then 20/20 cricket began to be the big money spinner in the cricketing world. So the regular players wanted back in and the younger players were booted out. Besides J. P. Duminy, A.B. de Villiers and Dale Steyn. What other young talent was representing South Africa at the 20/20 World Cup? Take a look at the other international sides... Where is the new and fresh players? Could it have something to do with players liking the 20/20 money... hmmm. (Ricky Ponting and Tendulkar have said that they will give younger guys a chance to represent their countries in 20/20 games. Would Mark Boucher do this? Kallis? Smith?)

The South African public ate it all up. How can a team of Indians with strange names like Sachin, Kapil, Javagal and Anil think that they can come to South Africa and beat the great Jimmy Cook and our (old) boys. It was our time to show the world that South Africa are not just good, we are the best. The public ate all the media talk of how great the South African players were... As South Africans we began to believe our team to be the best (And we still have this problem). Then the first test against India started at Durban.

Kapil Dev (what a funny name) ran in to bowl the first ball to Jimmy Cook at Durban. The first ball to be bowled in the first test since South Africa’s readmission. Kapil Dev (really who is he? Does he really think he has a chance against the great Jimmy?)

Jimmy Cook is out. 0 runs 1 ball faced. The curse begins.

Nfl 2010 - mock draft

1. St. Louis Rams pick Sam Bradford of Oklahoma
2. Detroit Lions pick Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma
4. Washington Redskins trade down with Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Bills pick Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame
5. Kansas City Chiefs pick Russell Okung of Oklahoma State
6. Seattle Seahawks pick Trent Williams of Oklahoma
7. Cleveland Browns pick Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State
8. Oakland Raiders pick Eric Berry of Tennessee
9. Washington Redskins pick Bryan Bulaga of Iowa
10. Jacksonville Jaguars trade down with New York Giants - Giants pick Rolando McClain of Alabama
11. Denver Broncos pick Demaryius Thomas of Georgia Tech
12. Miami Dolphins pick Dan Williams of Tennessee
13. San Fransisco 49ers pick Anthony Davis of Rutgers
14. Seattle Seahawks picks C. J. Spiller of Clemson
15. Jacksonville Jaguars pick Earl Thomas of Texas
16. Tennessee Titans pick Derrick Morgan of Georgia Tech
17. San Fransisco 49ers pick Joe Haden of Florida
18. Pittsburgh Steelers pick Mike Iupati of Idaho
19. Atlanta Falcons pick Brandon Graham of Michagan
20. Houston Texans pick Kyle Wilson of Boise State
21. Cincinatti Bengals pick Jermaine Gresham of Oklahoma
22. New England Patriots pick Carlos Dunlop of Florida
23. Green Bay Packers pick Jason Pierre-Paul of South Florida
24. Philadelphia Eagles pick Sergio Kindle of Texas
25. Baltimore Ravens pick Devin McCourty of Rutgers
26. Arizona Cardinals pick Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri
27. Dallas Cowboys pick Bruce Campbell of Maryland
28. San Diego Chargers pick Jared Odrick of Penn State
29. New York Jets pick Arrelious Benn of Illinois
30. Minnesota Vikings pick Ryan Matthews of Fresno State
31. Indianapolis Colts pick Maurkice Pouncey of Florida
32. New Orleans Saints pick Daryl Washington of TCU

No way Jose

NO WAY JOSÉ

Like Cinderella, who broke out of the shadows of evil stepsisters, Barcelona FC have been a welcoming breathe of fresh air to the football world over the last decade. (If you don not regard Barcelona as a Cinderella club, consider the fact that before 1990 they had never won the European Cup before) Breaking out of the shadow of the evil stepsister and fellow La Liga giants Real Madrid, Barcelona have shown the wealthy European clubs that true footballing beauty and talent can be found from within.

Also, like the fairytale Cinderella, Barcelona arrived in Italy last night by coach (albeit it not by their own choosing). The reason for their venture to Italy was a not to attend a ball. Barcelona were attending a celebration of football. A semi-final vs Inter Milan, the winner of which seems destined to be crowned as the new royalty of Europe.

Awaiting Barcelona in Italy was the ultimate Prince Charming, José Mourinho, who has charmed the footballing world since the day he dragged his F.C. Porto side to the summit of Europe. A fairytale match-up it seemed. A night that had been eagerly anticipated. A game filled with character. But this was to be no fairy-tale for Barcelona. The coach turned into a pumpkin long before the clock struck midnight. This Prince Charming did not chase after Cinderella and search for her after he found a glass slipper. Rather, he ripped the glass slipper off of Cinderella, put it on his mantelpiece and threw Cinderella out town. This is the footballing world. There are no happy ever after stories.

Barcelona were beaten 3-1 last night in Milan. A scoreline that will resonate around Europe and the World. The reigning UEFA Champions League Champions. The darling Cinderella’s of world football. A side that the world thought was unbeatable having only lost a single meaningless league game this season vs Athletico Madrid. A side with the very best players in the footballing world who play the game the way it was meant to be played. This Barcelona side are now on the brink of being tossed off their European throne.

Anyways, enough of this silly fairy-tale parallels and catchy phrases. Let’s review the tactics in the Barca v Inter game last night. For the fanatical football fans (like myself) last night was not about Barcelona being soundly beaten. The game was all about the tactics. We had all waited for this night. The pitting of two of the young tactical football minds against each other. Mourinho v Guardiola. We wanted to know the answer to the ultimate sporting question. Who is the best?

As the sides lined up and the game kicked off, the differing formations and styles of the two sides became apparent. Barcelona began the match with Guardiola’s expected approach. We saw Barca in their 4-5-1 formation with four midfielders playing off the target man Ibrahimovic. Xavi quarterbacking the sides attacks. Busquetes covering the back four. Possesion of the ball would be typically handled like gold by Barca (they would eventually finish the game with 67% of possession. In defence Barca would institute their most underrated tactical weapon. Barca would press in defence, with a hybrid 3/4-trap system and high back four press up the field. (Quick note: The 3/4-trap is a system of defence used in NBA Basketball. It involves the defending side allowing the other side to advance ¾ of the way up the playing field and then sending two defenders to attack the man with the ball. One will try to tackle the ball carrying player, while the other will be on the lookout for interceptions. Barcelona play a hybrid 3/4 –half trap system where one defender attacks the ball carrying player while two additional players stand off and wait for an intercept) This tactic allows Barca to secure the ball high up in the opposing side of the field and catch the opposing defence out of position. Sure enough, Barca’s first goal arrived via this defensive system. The ball was intercepted in Inter territory. Maxwell drove to the Inter goal as the Inter defence was in disarray. He squared the ball to Pedro, who drove the ball into the back of the Inter goal. 1-0 Barca.

What about Inter’s tactics? Mourinho is often referred to as a tactical genius and has the stats to back up such a lofty reference. Tutored under tactical legends Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal, Mourinho has combined the man management of Robson with the tactical brilliance and overflowing self-confidence of van Gaal. That combination has seen Mourinho conquer Portugal, England and Spain over the last decade. The Special One is truly special. Last night was no exception.

Inter fielded the now popular hydrid 4-5-1 formation. (The hybrid 4-5-1 formation features a target man to spearhead the attack, two defensive midfielders and two attacking players playing in the wing position. It is hybrid because on defence it remains 4-5-1, but in attack it morphs into a 4-3-3, with the attacking wingers often interchanging positions with the target man)

So what was different about Inter’s tactics last night. Back to basketball and it’s tactical contribution to the football world. Inter unlike Barca do not man mark on defence. While Barca aim to trap a ball carrying opponent in position, Inter employ the now standard Italian zonal marking defence. The Inter players marked space. What was new was the full court press and attacking wingers coming back to defend. We had seen a hint of these tactics when Inter brushed Chelsea aside earlier in the knockout phase. Inter would press the Barca ball carrying player deep in Barca territory. As soon as the ball crossed the halfway line, Inter then reverted into their ¼ press. These tactical explanations may seem silly. All I’ll say is watch the game... It’s there.

When two tactical masterminds meet in the footballing world, the tactics and gamesmanship is often loosely referred to as “a game of chess”. Last night was no different. Mourinho and Guardiola had stacked the board and Inter’s victory owed much to simple chess tactics. A basic chess strategy is to balance your pieces around the board. All pieces should be able to be defend and ready to spring into attack. A chessmaster will neutralise the strengths of the opponent and then attack the opponents weak side.

The strength of this Barcelona side is it’s dynamic centre midfield (with Xavi quarterbacking the side’s attacks) and lethal right-side attack featuring Messi and Daniel Alves. To neutralise the centre midfield, Mourinho employed the full court press, which forced the defence and goalkeeper to play long balls thus bypassing the centre midfield. This tactic cannot be understated. Barcelona do not kick long balls out of defence. The usual Barca tactic is to have Xavi or Busquetes collect the ball from a defender and then dazzle the opposition with a myriad of passes. By forcing the Barca defence to play long balls 50% of the time, Mourinho had achieved one goal – the Barca centre midfield was neutralised for 50% of their attacks.

Moving onto the lethal right side pairing of Alves and Messi. Here similiarly Mourinho kept the tactics simple. He had the experienced Argentinian mark his countryman Messi. The fact that Messi did not register a single shot on goal in open play speaks volumes for the often underrated brilliance of Zanetti. Also, by constantly playing deep diagonal balls into the right side of Barca’s defence, Mourinho ensured that Alves could not expose the right side of Barca’s defence by joining attacks with his usual wild abandon.

With the Barca strengths adequately contained, Mourinho moved his pieces to the weak left side of the Barca team. Now, the Barca goal came from their left-side, so the argument could be made that it is not weak, but what needs to be remembered is that root cause of the goal was an Inter mistake. The left side of the Barca side features Maxwell and Pedro. Their opposition for the night would be Pandev and Maicon. In a man of the match performance, Pandev (who later left the field with cramp) attacked Barca’s left side and assisted Maicon in defence. Whenever Maicon joined in Inter attacks, it was Pandev that would have to opt out of the attack and cover the vacant right side of Inter’s defence. All three of Inter’s goals came from the Barca’s weak left side. It is no coincidence that when Pandev was replaced by the lazy Boletelli and Maicon was forced off by injury that Barca began to take control of the game in the final 10 minutes. If Wesley Sneijder had not scored a goal and had an unintended assist, the man of the match performance surely should have gone to the little noticed Pandev.

The injury to Maicon looked serious and may be crucial in Mourinho’s tactics for the return leg at the Nou Camp. Zanetti is an able cover for Maicon at right-back, but that leaves Messi to be marked by the Romanian captain Christian Chivu, who is more a centre half than a fullback. The whole balance of Mourinho’s tactics will be upset. The tie is still in the balance. The tactical masterminds will meet again at the Nou Camp. The board will be stacked once more. The question now is whether Mourinho, with the loss of Maicon, can balance his side while neutralising Barca again. For now though, take a bow José... Once more you’ve proven yourself to be special.

Messi - The claim to be the greatest

Messi - A new Maradona or the greatest ever

When the sporting world begins a sentence by saying, “he could be better than Maradona,” there better be a multitude of facts to substantiate such high praise.

Well, the stats on Lionel Messi are jaw-dropping! For the uninformed here’s a quick reminder. He is a 22 year old first team player for argentina, his won the champions league title twice and la liga several times. In 2009 he was awarded both the FIFA World player of the year and European player of the year awards. Messi has scored more than 100 goals for Barcelona. (Remember these are the stats of a 22 year old)

In this current 2009/10 season he has currently scored 40 goals for Barcelona in all competitions (there are still a good two hands full of games left before the season is done). The man is great, of that there can be no doubt or debate. To properly comprehend Messi’s goal scoring heroics this season we need to understand that in the greatest year of his legendary career, the superb Brazilian Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 49 games. Messi is just 8 goals away from overtaking that mark. The question is no longer if Messi will eclipse Ronaldo’s single season scoring record. Rather the question is when he will do it.

Claims of being the new Maradona? Goal scoring statistics that surpass the legendary Ronaldo (not Christiano). Is Lionel Messi laying claim to being the greatest footballer ever? The new Maradona???? Really...

Diego Maradona has reigned supreme atop the greatest ever throne since 1986. For 24 years, through the Figo’s, Romario’s, Klinsmann’s, Ronaldo’s and Zidane’s eras, his title has remained unchallenged. Maradona made his full international debut for Argentina at the age of 16 years old. The great Argentinian took an ordinary Argentina side to two World Cup finals in 1986 and 1990. At club level Maradona pushed little known Napoli to the Serie A crown. Napoli and Argentina have never achieved such lofty heights again.

Maradona infamously scored the “Hand of God” and “Feet of God” goals in one World Cup game against England at the 1986 World Cup. The feet of god goal is lesser known than the now notorious hand of god goal. Brief summary – Maradona received the ball at the centre line. He bears down on goal while beating Englishmen Glenn Hoddle, Peter Reid, Kenny Sansom, Terry Butcher and Terry Fenwick. When 1 vs 1 against the mythical goalkeeper Peter Shilton, Maradona rounds the keeper and slots the ball between the posts.

(I will never understand the great gripe that the English have over the whole hand of god goal incident. If Maradona really needed his hand to cheat so as to beat the English, then why minutes later would he decide to run from the centre line, beat 5-6 English players and score a goal without using his hand then? The English were simply not good enough to beat the Maradona’s Argentinians in 1986. Nobody was.)

So is the claim that Messi is the new Maradona justified? They are both Argentinian. Both are short and strong on the ball. Messi did score a hand of god type goal in 2007 vs Espanyol in La Liga. Messi also scored a feet of god type goal in 2007 vs Getafe in a Copa del Rey semi-final. Although these two goals seemed to conjure up a feverish comparison between Messi and Maradona, perhaps it is the context of the Messi goals that provides the greatest difference between the two Argentinians.

Maradona made his name in the international arena and scored both his feet of god and hand of god goals vs England in a World Cup game. Messi has made his name at club level for Barcelona. His comparative goals coming against Espanyol and Getafe respectively. (In fact, Messi has played terribly for Argentina. He is often booed off by Argentinian fans when he is substituted, and he was in that Argentinian side that lost 6-1 to Bolivia in 2009)

The question that hangs over Messi is whether he can be as good as Maradona on the international stage, or is he merely a great player that benefits from playing in a world class Barcelona side? The conclusion is straight forward. While we might marvel at Messi, his ability on the field and his amazing career stats at only the age of 22, there remains a cloud over his career. Or perhaps more appropriately there hangs a shadow over Lionel Messi. The long shadow stems from the feet of the great Diego Maradona.

The 2010 World Cup will provide Messi with a chance to step out of Maradona’s shadow, however, let us not forget that the 2010 Argentinian side will be coached by none other than Mr. D. Maradona. How does one step out of your coach’s shadow?

There really can be no argument that L. Messi is a great player. But is he really the new Maradona? Is he the greatest of all time? Truth be told, if Messi is ever to be considered as the greatest, then he will have to shake off the tag as the new Maradona. He cannot be both.

The famous line that, “the real great ones remind us of no one else”, says it all. At the moment, Messi is reminding us of the great Maradona, and that is the one thing that stops him claiming the crown as the greatest.

Top Ten Sport Movies of All Time

Top Ten Sport Movies of All Time

As a proud South African I recently performed my civic duty and watched the movie “Invictus”. (In case you live on Saturn and don’t know what the film is about, its a dramatised version of the Springboks winning the 1995 World Cup, starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, directed by Clint Eastwood.)

Sadly, when the credits rolled and the film had ended, I felt disappointed. Look its not that the film was bad, but I was in South Africa during 1995. I know how that 1995 World Cup win felt for the whole of South Africa. Clint Eastwood is a fantastic director. I loved Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, but his fault in this film lies in the fact that he is not a South African. The symbolism is there. The emotional aspect of being a South African during 1995 is off the mark. And as good as an actor that Morgan Freeman is (again, I loved Million Dollar Baby), there is no man that can play Nelson Mandela. Madiba is Madiba. Mr. Mandela does not win Oscars, he wins Nobel Peace Prizes.

As I continued to watch the credits of Invictus, I began to think of other sport movies, most of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Yes... Slowly but surely I ranked them. Finally I had a list of my top ten sport movies of all time.

Two rules. Rule #1 - No picking of more than two movies from the same sport. Rule #2 – The movie must be based on a sport that actually exists. (Sorry to all the Vin Diesel fans. Street racing is not a sport. Drag racing is a sport. So “Fast and the Furious” does not qualify.

#10 – Two for the Money
Starring Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey and Rene Russo.

I was surprised that this film didn’t receive rave reviews by the critics. Then again most sport films don’t. The film is a kind of sporting translation of the Devil’s Advocate with Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. Instead of playing uhm... the devil, Pacino plays the devil of sport, namely a sports bookie. McConaughey plays a potential American Football star who has his career ended in his last college game. However, McConaughey possesses a talent in predicting the outcome of sports games. Pacino invites him to the city and they begin a successful working relationship together. McConaughey is an overnight success and is soon on a hot streak in picking the results of games. Not everything goes according to plan, soon the streak stops. The action is superb. The dialogue between Pacino and McConaughey is superbly acted. By the end of the film we see how unpredictable sport is and how by making a business out of sport, the passion and enthusiasm for the game is lost. If you haven’t seen this film go out and rent it.

#9 – Million Dollar Baby
Starring Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank

This film won countless Oscars. The performances delivered by Eastwood, Freeman and Swank are flawless. I don’t watch women’s boxing much. Don’t think I ever will. But you have got to give credit where it’s due. Swank is the second greatest actress of all time (Meryl Streep is obviously #1). I know you watched this film. I know you loved it. Yes, it does get a bit too sentimental at the end, but you cannot take away the fact that it deserves to be in the top ten.

#8 – Maverick
Starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster

Yes, poker is a sport. It’s on ESPN everyday. I know that most people might rank “Rounders” with Matt Damon as the greatest poker film of all time, but me... I’m picking Maverick. The storyline is okay. The whole wild west theme provides a great backdrop. The performances of Gibson and Foster help the film skip along at a decent pace. And the poker... well let’s just say that although the technical aspects are explored in depth, the excitement and skill of the game made me a fan. This is poker in the old sense. Five card draw poker. It’s the wild west... there was no Texas hold ‘em back then. Texas is in the south.

#7 – Any Given Sunday
Starring Jamie Fox, Al Pacino and Dennis Quaid

Al Pacino starring in two movies in the top ten sport movies of all time? “Who would thunk it?” I love American Football. I was crazy about this film. Willie Beaman, played by Fox, is the back-up Quarterback who gets his chance when the starter, played by Quaid, is injured. Pacino plays the coach who can’t believe how lucky he is when Fox delivers star performances. Fox’s ego explodes and his performances suffer. Pacino gives him the pep talk. Quaid comes back to show Fox how a leader is supposed to lead his teammates. Fox, learns and comes back better than ever. The game of American Football was the winner in this movie. Outstanding sport action sequences. And ofcourse Mr. Willie Beaman as that mobile and exciting Quarterback. Yes Willie Beaman, you are steaming.

#6 – White men can’t jump
Starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Haralson

Hands down the best basketball movie of all time. And yes I know that street basketball is not exactly a sport, but they do play street basketball in the States and it does have officially sanctioned events. Haralson plays Billy, the white guy that nobody thinks can shoot hoops. Sydney (Wesley Snipes) is the ultimate street basketball player, he’s got the skill, the moves, the attitude, but he misses in the clutch situation. A great duo is born when the two team up. Haralson compliments Snipes’ skills by having a range of good passes, the defence and delivering the clutch shots. The movie is not really about white men that can’t dunk. Haralson hits a dunk at the end of the film. Rather the movie is about teamwork, team chemistry and trusting your teammate. I love the unclipped shots of Snipes and Haralson hitting their shots in the movie.

#5 – Jerry McGuire
Starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jnr and Reese Witherspoon

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!! There are some films where all you have to do is mention a line from the film or sing a song and everyone in the room instantly knows what you are talking about. This film is definitely one of them. As a sports agent Cruise hits rock bottom when he is fired and his only hope lies in his last client, an American Football player (Cuba). Witherspoon leaves her job to join Cruise as he starts a new sports agency along with a fish that Cruise steals as he leaves the old company. The relationship that Cruise and Cuba build throughout the film enables them both to achieve on and off the sports field. It’s a serious feel-good film. Cuba won an Oscar. You can watch this film with your girlfriend as the relationship between Cruise and Witherspoon provides the romance. The only downside is that after watching the film with your lady, you won’t again be able to use the can’t fail lines of YOU HAD ME AT HELLO.... and YOU COMPLETE ME.

#4 – Major League Baseball
Starring Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes

No matter how many times I see Charlie Sheen in the series “Two and a half men”, I can’t help thinking, there goes WILD THING. Yes, that’s the power of this film. Next time you’re sitting with your mates just say WILD THING! out of the blue... Then watch as they instantly either start singing the theme song to this film or start rolling on the floor laughing. Although the film is about baseball and Sheen plays a young pitcher, fans around the world when watching any sport still look at the ground’s gates when things are not going their sides way... and they hope to hear the music and see WILD THING step through the gates and save their team. You know it’s true.

#3 – The Natural
Starring Robert Redford

I encountered this film one late evening while watching the networks play old films or re-runs, and this film blew me away. Grab your TV guide and see when it is playing again or go and rent this movie at the local video store. Redford plays a young baseball prodigy who seemingly has it all, and perhaps could be the greatest ever. Then before even starting a game in the bug league, he is shot. Fifteen years later he finally gets his chance in the big league. Older, wiser, but still carrying physical and emotional injuries from being shot all those years ago, Redford begins to play a season that will go down as one of the greatest. I am not a Robert Redford fan (Sorry Mom.), but his performance in this film blew me away just like he blew out the floodlights when hitting his last homerun. This is a must see for any fan of sport movies.

#2 – Victory
Starring Pele, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine.

The symbolism in this film is what draws you in. Yes it’s great to see Stallone as a goalkeeper and Pele as the dream striker. But here we have a game of soccer being used to show that evil (in this case the Nazi’s) can be defeated. Delivering probably one of his greatest performances, Michael Caine plays the coach of a team of prisoners that will play a match against a team representing the Nazi’s. You’ve got to enjoy Stallone’s performance as a goalkeeper. And Pele’s bicycle goal at the end... Glad to see the great man on TV and not just promoting “performance enhancing” medication in those creepy adverts.

#1 – Rocky
Starring Sylvester Stallone aka Rocky Balboa

I could have listed as least three of the six Rocky movies in the top ten of sport movies. That just wouldn’t be fair to the other movies. If you have never watched a Rocky movie before, then you’re either dead or lying. How many young guys wanted to by Rocky? How many people want to start running up steps when they begin to hear the intro to the Rocky theme music and Eye of the Tiger. How many times has a bigger guy looked at you the wrong way and you thought, he’s lucky that I don’t go Rocky on his #$$. The film established Stallone as a Superstar. The film encapsulated everything it means to be a sports athlete and a sports fan. If you didn’t like one Rocky then you don’t like sports. That’s how guys should test if a potential girl is the one for them. Put on a Rocky film. Let her watch with you. If she shouts “COME ON ROCKY!!!” Get on your knees... You’ve got a keeper.

Let me know your top ten people.

TIA - This is Africa 2010 (Part 1)

THIS IS AFRICA – 2010 (Part 1)

In the world of sport down can be up, up can be down, gravity may appear not to exist for a moment and in another instant the world can be crashing down all around you. In the world of sport things are different. Promises can be broken (See Tiger Woods – Yes I went there!!! He cheated. He broke his marriage vows to his swimsuit model wife. He disappointed his fans and all important sponsers. Yes, I so care...) Rules can also be broken in sports. Most times at a profit to the perpetrator. (See Diego Maradona’s hand and Thierry Henry’s arm – In Henry’s defence, it is called handball. Yes, I am not Irish. And yes I so care about the poor Irish...)

And yes, all of the above is my way of saying that though I promised an article every week, as a sports fan, living very much in the world of sport, I decided to break a rule and a promise. My profound apologies though. I have come to learn that Tiger Woods, Thierry Henry and John Terry (thought I’d throw that in) are not good role models. So from now on I will not be following their “bad” examples.

Without further ado... Let’s begin to analyse and preview the upcoming FIFA 2010 World Cup. Firstly the World Cup is to be held in South Africa, my homeland. How cool is that?? Okay, no funny sarcasm there, it really is ultra cool. Funnily enough, in Africa and South Africa, a unique quality is shared with the sporting world. Rules and promises can be broken. In fact they often are...

So what are the golden rules in a FIFA World Cup? Here is a quick reminder:
1. The home nation always does better than expected. (Yip, my beloved Bafana are well on their way to shattering this rule. I still believe though. I know deep down others believe too... Right?)
2. The favourites never do well at the World Cup. (Spain are the number 1 side in the world and the favourites by default. Have you seen Spain play recently?? Not do well? Not an option.)
3. Brazil are the only side to win the World Cup outside of their own continent. (This is technically a flawed rule. Argentina did win the World Cup in Mexico, Central America – So I’m ignoring this rule)
4. Since 1982 only five countries – Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and France – have played in a World Cup final match. Will this rule be broken? Undecided. Decision pending...

Remember this is Africa. This is sport. Up can be down. Tiger Woods cheated (apparently quite frequently). Hand ball fouls can lead to vital goals... Anything is possible. Really. Anything is possible!! Honduras, North Korea and New Zealand actually qualified for the World Cup!! Unbelievable?? Please come back gravity...

How to preview a World Cup?? Group-by-group?? Okay. These predictions are based purely on football tactics, history, skill and are totally impartial. (Except for any and all predictions concerning Australia.)

GROUP A – SOUTH AFRICA, MEXICO, URAGUAY, FRANCE
Trivia: All the sides in this group have hosted the World Cup. South Africa will officially host the World Cup in 2010. Sepp Blatter said so. Jacob Zuma said it too. You don’t get more trustworthy people.

So who will be progressing to the knockout stage? Not France. Yes, there’s the whole karma thing. (apparently it is handball when you deliberately control the ball with your own arm Mr. Henry) The fact is that this French side is playing in the shadows of the 1998 World Cup winning French team, and in the even lengthier shadow cast by the retired Zinedine Zidane. A draw against both Mexico and Uraguay is the best that this French side can hope for. Then a do-or-die fixture against the hosts South Africa in the final group stage match awaits. That match will be played in Bloemfontein. After their stay in the wonderful city of Bloemfontein, and their match against the Steven Pienaar led Bafana, the French may be glad that they will be going home early.

Expect Uraguay, Mexico and South Africa to fight for the top two qualifying places. By the time of the final group match all four teams in this group will still have a chance of qualifying for the second round. Mexico v Uraguay; France v South Africa.

Prediction: Uraguay to top the group. South Africa to finish second.
Mexico and France to go home.

GROUP B – ARGENTINA, NIGERIA, KOREA, GREECE
Trivia(1): At the 1994 World Cup in the USA, a group contained Nigeria, Greece, Argentina and Bulgaria. Greece left that World Cup without scoring a goal or earning a point. Argentina finished third in the group but still advanced do to absurd rule that the best third placed sides could progress to the second round.
Trivia(2): Outside of the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup, Korea have only beaten Togo at Germany 2006 in World Cup matches.

This is a tough draw for all the teams in the group. But the team that has suffered most from the “luck of the draw” must surely be Korea. First match v Greece. Second match v Argentina. When they arrive in Durban to play Nigeria their final group match it is highly likely that the mathematicians will have already calculated that the Koreans have no chance to progress to the second round.

The Nigerians will play with great passion and should be well supported. The Nigerian population (legal or not) is considerable in the bigger urban cities in South Africa. The Nigerian football side should sadly leave South Africa well before their immigrant countrymen. This is not the great Nigerian side of Okocha and Oliseh. Do not get too excited about the Nigerian’s chances.

So this group has been termed the “group of death”. It shouldn’t be though. By the time the final game between Greece and Argentina kicks off, we’ll know that both these sides have already qualified for the knockout phase. Unlike most, I do not see Argentina progressing much further than quarter-finals at best and if Greece get that far it would be an achievement. (Really it will. Ask your Greek friend? You don’t have one?? Well they’d lie anyway.)

Prediction: Argentina and Greece to progress (Not very far though)
Korea and Nigeria to stumble out.

GROUP C – ENGLAND, USA, ALGERIA, SLOVENIA
Trivia(1): Algeria were the underdogs when they beat their fierce rivals Egypt in a play-off match to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Trivia(2): Slovenia were the underdogs when they beat their fierce rivals Russia in a play-off match to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Trivia(3): The last time that England played against the USA at the World Cup, the USA won.
The underdogs vs the favourites. That is how this group is shaping up. Oh, I do smell an upset... And if there is going to be a favourite that bows out in this group, the feeling is that it will be the arrogant English. The USA have proven that they are a strong soccer nation (eg. Confederations Cup 2009). England will arrive with their Premier League stars, a “has-been” from Milan and all the wives and girlfriends. (Hmm... trouble?)

Perhaps the most interesting factor in this group is that the 2nd placed side will go on to face the 1st placed side in the group of Germany, Ghana, Serbia and Australia. An early England exit (I like..). An England v Germany 2nd round knockout game (I like more..) I can picture Wayne Rooney missing the vital kick in the penalty shoot-out vs Germany already. (Quick fact: Germany have never lost a penalty shootout in competitive competition – EVER)
The darkhorse in the group is Algeria. Expect the Algerians to cause the USA and England to earn their places in the 2nd round. Also, expect Algeria to self-destruct in the final group game vs the USA in Pretoria. (“not that type of self-destruct Mr. Bin Laden”)

Prediction: England to top the group followed by the USA (“No upset. Sigh.”)
Algeria and Slovenia. Thanks for coming.

GROUP D – GERMANY, AUSTRALIA, SERBIA, GHANA
Trivia(1): The game between Serbia and Australia will be a fierce rivalry. How so? Eastern Europeans vs Australia? Consider the fact that hundreds of Australian sportsmen an women are formerly from the old Yugoslavia. The Serbs hate the Australians. The game will be hot. Red hot!
Trivia(2): I don’t like Australia or Australians.
Trivia(3): Australia are the bullies of World Soccer. They qualified in the Asian regional qualifiers by physically bullying the less physical Asian nations on the soccer field. Can they use such physical tactics against Germany, Serbia and Ghana? Sure they can, and they will try. Can they be successful with that tactic in this group... (Think Ballack, Vidic, Essien – Okay now picture Ballack, Vidic, Essien) Nope, don’t think that tactic will work. Sorry Mate.

This is the group of death. There is no group favourite and really all we know for sure is that Australia won’t be staying long in South Africa. (Big Smile) Between Ghana, Germany and Serbia a coin flip could decide who will progress. Ghana’s remarkable performance at the recent Afcon in Angola, where they made the final with practically just their under 23 players, puts them through. Germany for... well being Germany get the nod over Serbia.

Prediction: Ghana inspired by the African World Cup top the group. Germany finish 2nd and paly England in the last 16. Wayne Rooney misses a crucial penalty and the English cry off home, again. (I love that look on the English faces when they get knocked out. That “we’re English – give our ball back” look. Love it.)
Serbia and Australia to fight on the plane home.

Cricket - The Greatest Debate

“THE GREATEST DEBATE”

As a sports loving South African, I’ve come to rely on two rules of thumb.

(1) Believe in God, but lock your car (Especially if you’re going to be leaving your car outside a sporting ground for the best part of two hours);

(2) Never (NEVER!!!!!) trust an Australian.

Rule #1 is self-explanatory... Hello!!! I live in Africa. When parking your vehicle in South Africa, (Anywhere in South Africa. Yes, even when you’re just stopping for a 5 minute drop and run) lock your car!!

For Rule #2 see Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, the Australian Prime Minister, Mel Gibson, etc. Seriously, go and google these “famous” Australian personalities. Look at their faces. These men can’t be trusted. If South Africa truly is the crime capital of the world, (I always question this often quoted stat. I’m 26 years old, lived in South Africa my whole life, house was broken into three times, car stolen once, car radio stolen once, robbed by knife point once... Okay maybe I shouldn’t question that stat. But I’m still alive. Yes, you get my point. Thank you.) Now where was I... If South African truly is the crime capital of the world, let us not forget that the founding fathers of Australia were hardened criminals who were shipped to a god-forsaken island. Also, since 1994 thousands of South Africans who were happy living in South Africa under the sadistic apartheid government, have emigrated to Australia and were warmly embraced in their “new found land”. The point being I like Mel Gibson, but I don’t trust him.

I will be the first to admit that I’ve broken Rule #1 (See above – car stolen once. Sigh.) , but i’ve never trusted an Australian. Never.

Okay point made. Now for the sporting debate. Donald Bradman – The Greatest Cricketer Ever????

For as long as I can remember (Quick check: Sporting memory A+; Real life memory F-. Too many Castle lagers. Long story. Don’t remember much of it), we (the Rest of the cricketing world besides Australia) have been told (mostly by Australians + told not advised) that Sir Donald is the greatest all-time cricket player to ever grace the oval field. They (the Australians) beat their hairy chests (starting to feel sick) and point to the Donald’s most impressive stat – 99.9 batting average. Look it is impressive, I’m not even going to try to argue against it. There’s no point, the man was a great. But greatest of all-time??? Hmm...

I (a South African) beg to differ mate.

No disrespect to Mr. Bradman, who played before helmets and other technological developments in the cricketing world, but let us not forget what else D. Bradman played without:

• A cricket mad and savvy subcontinent. There have been players who arrive on the subcontinental grounds with fantastic batting averages and even better reputations. Only to leave broken players, with holes in their techniques having been exposed and weaker batting averages. The emergence of the subcontinent superpowers – Pakistan (they are still playing cricket right?); India and Sri Lanka took place well after the Don’s time. The cricketing world has forever changed since their emergence.

• The fielding in the modern era. These days not only do all players dive with regularity and increasing effectiveness to stop runs and take catches (imagine that Mr. Bradman), but the modern day fielder will often turn around and chase a ball that has beaten the inner ring of fielders so as to stop boundaries. (I agree Donald, it’s unbelievable I tell you).

• South Africa are good. Very good. The days are fast nearing when South Africa will not only be the best test match nation in the world. South Africa will also boast the best bowler in the world (Dale Steyn – currently number 1), the best batsman and captain in the world (Graeme Smith – currently in the top three). The facts are simple. The current South African cricketing side is good, very good. Since South Africa’s re-admission into the cricketing world, the gold and green have consistently had an impressive fast bowling attack and green pitches that have terrorised many superstars of world cricket. (Drawid – 35.33 Avg. vs SA, Lara – 46.72 Avg. vs SA, Tendulkar – 36.42 vs SA, and on his last tour of SA the much heralded Kevin Pietersen averaged in the mid 20’s) The overwhelming fact is that Donald (Sir) would have found it extremely hard to sustain his 99.9 batting average vs the post re-admission South African sides.

Now what makes a cricketer a contender for the greatest of all-time? Sure he’d have to be exceptional at either his batting craft or bowling skill. Perhaps even just a great fielder (See Jonty Rhodes). What if one player was exceptional and great at all three facets of the game. A feared batsmen. A wicket taking bowler. A superb fielder. Donald Bradman?? No. Bradman only took 2 wickets during his entire international career. The Don did average a catch a game, so he was clearly a good fielder. Sir Donald Bradman – 2 out of three. A great player no doubt. The greatest cricketer ever??? Hmm...

For more years than anyone can remember , a man by the name of Jacques Kallis has been rated as the best all round cricketer currently playing the game. This leads to the obvious question. If Jacques Kallis has been the best allrounder in world cricket for the best part of 10 plus years (nevermind the rankings, just ask anyone with a decent knowledge of the game), then shouldn’t Mr. Kallis be considered when determining the greatest cricketer of all time?

Let’s put J. Kallis to the test. He can bat (Very, very, very well). He can bowl (at his prime 140km/h plus and bowling first change). He can catch (Perhaps the greatest slip fielder of all time. If your life depended on a catch, wouldn’t you want to see a ball headed in the direction of Jacques Kallis? My hand is raised).

So that’s the simple argument for Jacques Kallis as the greatest cricketer of all time. He bats. He bowls. He catches. You need more??????? Since cricket is a game of stats here are some stats to chew on (Stats as of December 2009):

Tests: 135 matches; 281 innings, 10 640 runs, batting avg. 54.56, 33 – 100’s, 52 – 50’s;
ODI’s: 295 matches; 281 innings, 10 409 runs, batting avg. 45.25, 16 – 100’s, 74 – 50’s;

Combines batting stats:
430 matches, 509 innings, 21 409 runs, batting avg. 49.905, 49 – 100’s, 126 – 50’s.

He can bowl too.
Tests: 135 matches, 224 innings, 260 wickets, bowling avg. 31.40, 4wickets/inn. – 7;
ODI’s: 295 matches, 258 innings, 248 wickets, bowling avg. 32.40, 4wickets/inn. – 2;

Combined bowling stats:
430 matches, 482 innings, 518 wickets, bowling avg. 31.75, 4wickets/inn. – 9.

You need more convincing????? He can catch. (I never did trust Australians).

Postscript:
Bradman’s stats.
Batting Stats:
Tests: 52 matches, 6996 runs, batting avg. 99.94, 29 – 100’s, 13 – 50’s;
ODI’s: 0 matches, o runs, batting avg. 0.00, 0 – 100’s, 0 -50’s.

Bowling stats:
Tests: 160 balls bowled, 2 wickets;
ODI’s: 0 balls bowled, 0 wickets.

I rest my case. Rule #2 – Never trust an Australian.