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Last night saw the final of the African Cup of Nations 2012, between Zambia and the Ivory Coast. Zambia were massive underdogs against the star-studded Ivorians, however defied the odds throughout the whole tournament to get that far, and I for one was cheering them on.
The Chipopolo (the copper bullets) is the nickname for the Zambian national side and they last reached the final of the ACN in quite remarkable circumstances in 1994, which is both a tragic and inspirational story. En route to a qualifier in Senegal in 1993 the aircraft carrying the national side crashed off the coast of Gabon, near Libreville, which hosted last night’s final. All 30 passengers died, including 18 players and several backroom staff. Basically 90% of the first team of Zambian national side were tragically lost.
I always enjoy the African Cup of Nations, it is a million miles away from the upcoming Euros, with some great stories. Niger, for example, qualified this year, but could not afford to send their players to the finals. The president had to put an extra levy on every text message sent in the country to allow them to travel. I can’t quite see something like that happening with the millionaires of Europe. Sudan’s defying of the odds to reach the quarter-finals was another great story.
Having adopted them for the tournament, in the canteen one day a friend of mine – a lovely girl who shall not be named – asked why I was supporting Ghana. This girl was a bit gullible, so I told her I supported them as my Gran was Ghanaian (Ghranny Yeboah we called her) and I was supporting the team of my ancestors. She believed me and it passed the time each day making up stories of how my Gran and other relatives were celebrating wins over the Czechs and USA in Accra on their way to reaching the last 16, where they ultimately lost out to a Ronaldo inspired Brazil (he broke the all time WC scoring record in a 3-0 win where the Ghana side held their own for long spells and missed several great chances).
That was a great Ghana side, with a fantastic midfield of Essien, Appiah and Muntari. Ever since, I have followed their results and “supported” them in ACN’s and World Cups. In 2010 when Gyan missed the penalty after Suarez’s handball then lost out on making African history by becoming the first African team to reach the semis, I was genuinely gutted for them.
Gyan got a big money move to Sunderland on the back of the tournament and is currently on loan to a side in the United Arab Emirates. Rumour has it that Steve Bruce was not happy with his activities outside of football… for anyone who doesnt know, Gyan is a rap star in Ghana, going under the name “babyjet” and has featured on several hits. See his hit “African Girls” below. I can also recommend “Do the Dance”.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjOb6OA3SVo&w=420&h=315]
I thought that was the funniest Ghanaian football related clip i could find on youtube until I found this, Kevin Prince Boateng doing a Michael Jackson impression at an AC Milan victory party.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5i8OyC2GTg&w=560&h=315]
I like to think this evening ended with KPB attending one of the more bizarre Bunga Bunga parties at Berlusconi mansions.
In conclusion, while I will always be supporting Ghana in upcoming tournaments, on this occasion, I’m glad the footballing gods ensured an emotional victory for the Zambians. Hopefully the party is still going on in Lusaka.
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About the Author
Eddie Cassidy (eventually) started Stand Up Comedy in Aug 2009, after many years of threatening to, and since then has reached the Scottish Comedian of the Year final in 2010 less than 18 months after his first gig, and has since performed all over Scotland and parts of England including a gig to the out their nut audience at scotlands (2nd) biggest music festival Rockness.
A lifelong Celtic fan and former regular at Pollok Juniors Newlandsfield Ground, situated in the shadow of the high rises in his native Pollokshaws in Glasgow (where he once witnessed a sub knock out a fan in a penguin costume while warming up), he is also a lover of all football and while Celtic will always be his true love, he views the rest of the football world as a copy of nuts magazine, something to look at and enjoy with no emotional attachment! A keen fan of the Premiership, European and International Football he has developed crushes on Parma (around 1994) Dortmund (around 1997) Croatia (1998) Valencia (2001) Ghana (2006) Brentford Town (2009) and still looks out for their results, and like any other football fan currently loves watchin the greatest team of all time, Barcelona. He also has a love hate relationship with Arsenal, however has recently been casting admiring glances at Spurs.
Eddie’s achievements in football include a u15′s medal from the goals 5 a side leagues with the legendary AC Pollokshaws, and once scored 19 goals when 21 years old playing against a bunch of children while drunk.
“Hilarious” The Skinny
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“a future headliner, very impressive” Scottish Comedy Forum
