Bank don break!

FANS,

My sincerest apologies, no pictures today because I left for camera charger in 9ja - too much traveling. I went SHOPPING for family and friends, and most importantly, Wifey. The bank is broken so that it is credit card time. I have to come correct or the locks on the doors will be changed upon my return.

Wifey deserves the best because she "allowed" me to travel and be gone for 5 weeks (I know she knows the exact days to the second) to perambulate all around Africa and leave her with children that will drive a normal person into.... At any rate, the doctors did not call me or better yet I did not get any messages from the anyone including the doctor.

Now, I am going to house party to watch the Brazil vs Netherlands game. FANS, I miss my camera - oh well, I will represent for you. I am glad that I have responded to all the requests both by emails and phone calls.

Until next time, please say a prayer for me.

The Last 8

FANS,

They are 8 teams left. The South African media are fanatically supporting the Ghana team - the Black Star - how appropriate!! All Africans in South Africa should wear the Ghana colours (colors) on Friday. I will have to go buy me a Black Star jersey tomorrow. I think they have a very good chance of beating Uruguay. BTW how come Uruguay has 4 stars on their uniform (over their crest) when they have only won the cup twice?

The previous winners are Brazil (5), Germany (3), Argentina (2), and Uruguay (2) and the unusual suspects of Netherlands, Paraguay, Spain, and our adopted Ghana. It is amazing how Germany, Argentina, and Spain will have to knock each other out to get to the final. If Brazil crushes the Oranges then it might be a cake walk to the finals. I have Brazil over Spain in one poll and Spain over Brazil in another. The South Americans have 4 out of the 8 and a possibility to have all 4 semi-final teams.

The reason for their dominance is simple. All the South American teams played 18 games to qualify in their final phase of qualification while the Africans only played 6 games. I have a suggestion for CAF - African governing body, the final phase of qualifications currently consist of 20 teams and instead of having 5 groups of 4 while not have 2 groups of 10 with the first 2 teams getting automatic qualification to the World Cup while the two third team play a home and away to get the fifth and final spot to the world cup. Imagine that Uruguay had to play a home and away match with Costa Rica to get in and now they are at worst the 8th best team in the world. Argentina used over 100 players during qualification and who is laughing now? Yes, Maradona is laughing all the way Capetown to play Germany.

In all sincerity, Ghana has won 1 (Serbia), lost 1 (Germany), and drew 2 (Australia and USA - advanced after aet). That is not exactly a superb performance. Hence, my suggestion for more competitive representation before FIFA takes away an African slot.

Today and tomorrow is a day of rest from the games and I will be spending the day sipping tea and watching the ocean waves; however, tomorrow is shopping day for the wifey and children - Lord, have mercy!

Until the next time, please say a prayer for me!

9 days - Kaita, JBurg, Lagos, Abuja, Zaria, & Benin

FANS,

A lot has happened while I was away visiting my precious Grand-mother. I had family obligations to attend hence my sudden departure to the "royal land". If wondering, she is in great shape and attitude and if you weren't then she is in her late eighties and still self sufficient and lives by herself. Nursing home my ....

At any rate, congratulations is in order to both Ghana and USA (I can not believe I am congratulating Uncle Sam). I am not a sore loser and USA performed much better than my beloved Super Eagles "Aged and Bald Eagles". Much love to Landon Donavon, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and the rest of them. I was impressed with the coaching...the coach read the game to the bank and almost stole the cash.

Now, I have something to say about our Papa Eagles (if you are not a Nigerian skip this paragraph): How can you call yourself playing for your country if you don't love your father, you don't love your mother, you don't yourself then how can you play and love your country? Until, us as 9jians answer THE question then we can not move forward. I was at the stadium against Greece, after the red card to "malam" and ineptitude of the Logback to evaluate the situation on the pitch, I decided to reassess, deconstruct, and analyze my allegiance to the Green White Green. I am raising my children to love everything Green White Green and here I am having travelled over 12,000 miles to watch people who don't love themselves. How will they love my children. My wifey said that it was just a game, no baby, it is the way their are thinking. We are mentally handicapped...it is not just a game it is a way of life. The world is evolving and we are just stuck in quicksand. Just imagine that the team was composed of players like malam red card, yak yak, and Shittoyou...The game of soccer has change. No more dribble, it is a pass and run game now- counter attack!!! Even the almighty Brazil has changed from Samba but lowly Eagles can not even commit to themselves, talk less of modifying our they think. As I watched the Greek coach adapt to the situation on the field and ours lack the vision, I knew I had an up-hill battle with my children because I am not really sure I believe in the Green White Green anymore; and to compound my frustration I am in South Africa and seeing what they have offered the world and we the "giants" can not, will not, and probably shall never offered those convenience to the world because we can not change and/or assimilate our thinking with and to the world.

I am back in Capetown and please when you do see my host and his family, please do THANK them for me. They have made this trip wonderful!!!

Until the next time, please say a prayer for me.

Road trip tp Bloemfontein

FANS,

I am on my way to Bloemfontein to watch the Nigeria vs Greece game. I have my tickets, flag (Green, White, & Green), and most importantly, my vuvuzela. The game is taking place tomorrow and this is the match to determine if 9ja is a contender or pretender. We need to beat both Greece and South Korea to advance.

After the game, I am going back to 9ja to see my lovely maternal Grand Ma for a few days before coming back to J'Burg for the reminder of my stay in South Africa. Some of my colleagues from work will have arrived by the time I come back to the J'Burg. We might just have a nice little get together "stateside" style.

FANS, no pictures today because it was too cold to go yesterday and I did not want to be under the weather. Mr. Kaiser is not anywhere here so I have to be very careful. My host's wife is feeling a little blue and I feel bad because we (her husband and I) are about to leave her with THREE children and head out to Bloemfontein. My sincerest apologies!!!

It is time to head out, so until next time, please say a prayer for me!

It is "Lekka" time

FANS,

I need to retire early! When and where is the buy-out? Seriously, my mind set is different now...always knew there is more to life than "working" but the rat-race makes you lose focus on what is important in life - true pure core happiness! 9ja gave me heart and determination; Uncle Sam gave way a better way of life; however, Capetown gave me a combination of the two. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Enough of my philosophies, for I digress.

At any rate, Italy vs Paraguay was played in "hail"; yes, it was hailing and the temperature was single digits (C) not (F). For a moment, I though I was on the East coast. The game and company were a blast - 5 people deep. The stadium was in the shape of Miriam Makeba's hat (the architect in me) - it was beautiful and majestic. We got home about 11:30 p.m. local time and my host planned on going to the work the next day (the rat race sucks).

I am going to watch the Ivory Coast put a whooping on over rated Portugal and one Christian Ronaldo.

Until next time, please say a prayer for me.

My first game tonite - Italy vs Paraguay

FANS,

My tournament actually starts tonite because I am going to my first game tonite - Italy vs Paraguay. I wet to the mall earlier and the Italians were acting a fool; singing like us 9ja non-stop at the food court. It was nice but I was busy shopping for the cold weather.

On the braai front, I have recovered and now I am eating some leftover chicken and potato salad. It even taste better then yesterday - go figure! My guy is at work so I am waiting for him to come back and all five (5) of us are walking down the street to Capetown stadium for an Italian butt whooping.

The Germans were beautiful! FANS, see why I was not impress with Argentina; yes, they beat us however, they are not going far. No chemistry like the Germans and we are yet to see the Brazilians (expect nothing else but beautiful football from the Samba team).

Let me finish my chicken and get dressed because it is cold over here. Until next time, please say a prayer for me.

Braai - part one

FANS,

I ate too much at the "braai" or what we call barbecue. The pictures are attached of the "potjie", FANS, it was delicious and I think I ate too much because I am very uncomfortable right now! That was lunch and I am passing over dinner because the pounds I lost in 9ja is back and with full effects. My host and his in-laws have been wonderful and they have made this first week a memorable one - one week down four to go.