CALL me sentimental or nostalgic or even pan-African (this one I like) for saying the leaving of our shores by the Ghana team followers has left our city a bit too quiet.
Waking up to drums and singing of the fans was quite a treat, not only for the Black Stars, but for us Baainaars who don't get to travel much.
These guys know how to celebrate, they are true supporters of the game. They reminded me of Bloem Celtic fans, who never say die.
Humewood (and I believe bustling night-time Central) was made "live" by these ardent fans.
That aside, the potential of football in Africa was brought home to my pan-African mind. The sizable number of fans (handful as might have been compared to the Ghana population) made for interesting observation.
Our Bafana Bafana, when playing away from home, have only embassy staff, the Jo'burg well-heeled and those few lucky enough to go to see them and give them a bit of support. If Safa and all other sporting bodies in South Africa could have packages for the benefit of fans that follow a particular international sport that our teams are involved in, it could pay dividends for our teams.
For just e-mails and well-wishing on radio and TV do not really translate to the confidence-boosting that our Bafana sadly lack.
Also on the building of intra-African economic relations, football can do its part and not only in trying to quell wars. There are certainly lessons to be learnt from these proud teams from the continent.
Pat Kondile, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth
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