Today is the final day of FIFA World Cup 2010, the very first one hosted by Africa. It is unfortunate that there is no African team in the final. Ghana came close - were only denied progression (to the semis and possibly final) by the wicked act of a one Luis Suarez. So much was the pressure on the Uruguay team that it was not surprising to find a striker clearing the goal line - great evidence of defeat Uruguay suffered in that game.
That ball went off John Mensah's head with a sure destination - the back of the net - only to be stopped by a deliberate wicked act of a 'professional' player. Fairness ruled as Uruguay did not go beyond semi finals; they did not get any medal either. 'What goes around comes around' they say. How else could one explain the fact that Ghana missed its last chance by a strike (by their best striker) hitting the cross-bar and Uruguay's last shot (by their best striker) that would probably have taken them to extra time and possibly penalties hit the cross-bar? I don't remember seeing the German defender celebrate thereafter but I saw Suarez celebrate Ghana's miss.
This reminds me of another deliberate act of 'theft' that Mr. Thierry Henry committed to bring France to South Africa. France did not last in the tournament. They actually crumbled before they got to the pitch if what we heard about the troubles in the camp was true. I guess at some point Thierry must have regretted why he 'brought' his countrymen to South Africa. Moreso because he himself did not see much of playing time while in South Africa - no reward. Maybe he did not deserve any anyway. I hope that while they were there they used the one day off to identify some property in South Africa to invest in otherwise their trip to South Africa will be characterised as being in vain.
Back to the final. Some creatures have taken on new short-lived assignments. I am told an octopus has got itself popular by confirming some people's wishes ahead of the games. By some good coincidences, it has been getting the predictions right. I am not convinced that it actually knows what it is doing. Somebody needs to tell me the relationship between the human beings around this octopus and the betting industry. I do not care what the octopus predicts, I am looking forward to a beautiful game and you guessed it right, Netherlands will win it.
My only advice to the Dutch players is that they should not be intimidated by some creature. Instead they should play the game with the aim of winning despite the octopus' prediction. What does it think it is anyway. Go Netherlands go.
