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60,000 Euros and 10 Post-Match Pizzas with Mozzarella
By David Patrick Lane | March 30th, 2011 | No Comments
Uruguay’s fee for materializing on the Ice in Estonia.
Tags: Abel Hernandez, Uruguay
Filed under: The Players
The Road to Canada
By David Patrick Lane | April 12th, 2011 | 3 Comments
The 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany is fast approaching. Meanwhile, Tanzanian women are already on the road to Canada in 2015.
Tags: Tanzania, Women's World Cup
Filed under: Video
A revolta popular em Maputo não continuar. Quando é a revolta de futebol de Moçambique?
By David Patrick Lane | September 7th, 2010 | 2 Comments
The Chappas from Central Maputo to Estadio Machava takes half an hour and costs the same as a loaf of bread. There were no barricades in Maputo on Sunday. All roads led to the Futebol.
It was difficult to detect the unease of recent days as expectant supporters cracked open bottles of “Doshem”, ripped into tetra pak cartons of cheap red wine and exchanged predictions. This was not a day for the usual colonial replica shirt. No Benfica. No Porto. No Sporting. You had to be wearing the Mambas red, and you especially meant business if your scarf or shirt was wrapped around your head.
My mini bus was bursting as it passed the monumental Mac Mahon brewery, home of the 2M, the “Doshem”. City blocks gave way to cabbage fields. Palm trees waved in the distance. It could have been a scene from “The Thin Red Line” were it not for the sight of four floodlight pylons. We were now immersed in a red sea of supporters, not even Moses could part, but the Chappas found a way.
What was it the man said, “Porque Goshem de futebol”. He forgot to add they also like their chicken. The barnyard creature was being crucified overroaring charcoal fires in fields all around the stadium. Coolers crammed with cervejas provided perfect pre match company. The women of Mozambique certainly understood the business of football.
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Tags: Mambas, Mozambique
Filed under: Qualification, The Players
The Price of Loaves and Goals in Mozambique
By David Patrick Lane | September 3rd, 2010 | 2 Comments
Angela is mopping the again floor at Milanos. The Revolta Popular appears to have ran its course. A closer inspection reveals although most folk want to believe it is over…”more or less”, they say. The reality maybe somewhat different.
Angela made it to work, but many others have not. Some shops are open, but many are not. The schools are closed. The roads are not congested. A few Chappas (mini buses) work their regular routes. Spacious rides with extra leg room today.
I traversed as much of the city as I could in the past five hours. What I mean by “the city” is that which makes the cut on most of the tourist maps of Maputo, not including the predictably safe Embassy area of Sommerchield and the more exclusive Polana district, save for a visit to Maputo Central Hospital and the Josina Machel Secondary School. Here is what I heard and saw and felt from folks along the way.
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Tags: Mambas, Mozambique
Filed under: Qualification, The Players
Moçambique’s Finest First XI
By David Patrick Lane | August 23rd, 2010 | 1 Comment
Moçambique’s finest first XI.
Moçambique’s future leaders take a break from liberating their country and pose for the classic team photo. (This photograph was taken in the late 1960s.)
The back row consists of the founder of Frelimo, Eduardo Mondlane (three from right). Alongside him is Moçambique 1st President, Samora Machel, and Moçambique´s 2nd President Joaquim Chissano. Also on the back row (three from left) is General Mabute.
The front row is reserved for the “Hot Shot” of team, Alberto Chipade, Moçambique´s 1st Minister of Defence. Chipade was credited with firing the first shot in the colonial war!
Tags: Moçambique
Filed under: The Players
The Morning After
By David Patrick Lane | June 13th, 2010 | No Comments
The Morning After in Cape Town. Bafana gave folks something to scream about. Here’s Fortune to tell us what he thinks.
Fortune is surviving as a Cape Town Car Guard. A thankless gig. If you are renting a car to follow your team, don’t forget to give a good tip to your Car Guard. I ran into Fortune many hours later in the dead of night. He was waiting for a couple of drivers. Fortune had much to say about how different folks treat him. One can also learn much from your Car Guard. Fortune is a representative figure, one who deserves to more fortune.
Some Pre Match Cape Town Passion
By David Patrick Lane | June 13th, 2010 | No Comments
Here’s a little pre match Cape Town passion. Check out the Sister hedging her bets rocking it down the street in her España shirt. Share the love!
