In
case you are still wondering on where I am heading with this, then I will cut
to the chase rather than riddles. I am talking about three incidents involving
people stoning buses since November 2013 in Africa, not just any buses but a
visiting team’s bus. Chances are that there were more incidents but this three
came to my attention the most.
All
three incidents have something similarities if you can look closer. They all
come after a visiting team defeated a home side. In this case I am referring to
national teams. The three incidents involves Zambia being stoned here in South
Africa last year November, Nigeria got the same at Ethiopia mid October while
South Africa had theirs in Swaziland mid last month.
Allow
me to elaborate more about the different incidents. Zambia came to FNB stadium
last year November to take on Bafana. Game ended 1-0 to Zambia. Usually home
supporters indulge a defeat well. Keep in mind that it was before we hosted
AFCON. Nevertheless, their bus was stoned by two young boys aged twelve and
thirteen. According to BBC sport, Mweene needed head stitches while Katongo
also got injured. Are we killing each other as Africans? What puts such hatred
in two minors?
World
Cup Qualifier is very intense and every nation wants to take part in the World
Cup. Super Eagles of Nigeria were ill treated at Ethiopia on their play offs
first leg in mid October. It all started when they were given a bus infested by
cockroaches, then were taken to traffic jammed routes. However, on match day
players were thrown with soft drink bottles by the Ethiopian fans.
The
Super Eagles of Nigeria triumphed despite bad behaviour by their hosts. The
most saddening part again is that their bus was also stoned after the match.
Nosa got a palm injury due to a stone that force its way through in. Now that
was according to a report I read on SuperSport.
Last
month Bafana travelled to Swaziland for a friendly match. A friendly game ended
up looking intrinsic. There were too many dangerous tackles in the match alone;
one would probably thing it was an AFCON final. However, Bafana prevailed and
paid the price after the game. Swaziland supporters stoned Bafana’s bus. No
injuries were reported when I read the report. I was astonished when reading
about it on Kick Off the following day.
Actually,
a part of me still cannot believe that such incidents occurred. As a Manchester
United supporter, the word ‘United’ means a lot to me. In this case, we are all
Africans and we need to be UNITED. I care less of where you from or race or
language you speak, but bottom line we are one.
Must
we be afraid to send players to play away games? Are we in a war that some of
us are not aware of? What do we gain in such ominous acts? A stone can kill a
person.
Pirates also suffered from bad treatment when
they visited TP Mazembe in their CAF Champions league clash, but that is a
story for another day. Our attitudes must change, especially towards a visiting
nation. Let us enjoy the beautiful game and be united as Africans again.
Africa
is actually our home. Let go of fierce and restore peace.
Follow
me @ntophonic
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