In the car today, going shopping, everywhere we stopped the driver disappeared. Then he would come hurrying back when he saw me coming out of the store. Very unusual, normally he sits with the other drivers, they all seem to know each other, and talk about whatever drivers talk about.
When I came out of the New Market with some bags of vegetables the secret was revealed. He rushed up to open the trunk exclaiming something like: "We got a second one!".
Huh? Then I remembered, Nigeria was playing the U.S. in soccer at the olympics. In fact I had earlier seen the first Nigerian goal while walking through the TV department in Mega Plaza. I mentioned to the clerk that I was American with the implication that I might not be as pleased as he was. His response, to shake may hand and say with a large smile: "Maybe next time". This group B game could clinch the Nigerians getting into the knockout round. Now Nigeria had scored a second goal and if they could hold on, they were in.
Very nice to have some positive news, something to celebrate. On the drive home we listened to the rest of the match on the car radio. Sure enough Nigeria was in. When we got home the driver disappeared in a flash, I suppose to go and celebrate and to see the match replay since he had only caught bits and pieces while driving around.
Other African nations are doing well too. Cameroon made it in from group D. Cote d'Ivoire just needed a tie with Australia to make it from group A. Kalou scored a late goal for CIV to put them through.
The level of football has been improving in Africa for a while as evidenced by the number of players that are in the European leagues. The above mentioned Salomon Kalou is a fixture with Chelsea in England. It's great to see these national teams doing so well. Brazil, Italy and Argentina are going through too so there's some great soccer ahead.
Maybe having all the Olympic games on TV is not such a bad thing after all.
p.s. More Namibia travelogue to come after recovery from current football fever.
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