World Cup awards so far

By LEONNARD OJWANG
Published June 28, 2010

In Africa, the World Cup means more than anyone can imagine. At the moment, there is only Ghana, and the whole continent behind it. The Black Stars’ performance against Team USA has surely revived Africa’s energy in the tournament. Ghana is surely listening to the African cry.

The first round is over. The din of vuvuzelas is becoming a nightmare by the day. More people continue trickling into South Africa. More teams are getting eliminated, and the true World Cup picture is forming. It’s wiring down to who will win what award. The World Cup Trophy, the Golden Boot, and FIFA Player of the Year awards are several days away, but after the first round, we want to award exceptional individuals and teams, some of whom have gone home.

BEST AFRICAN TEAM: The Black Stars, Ghana
The Black Stars, is the only African team to advance past the first round of Africa’s first World Cup. They recorded the first win for Africa in the group matches; have not lost a game and thrashed Team USA in extra time, to spring into the last eight. They are the third African team to reach the quarterfinals, after Cameroon (1990) and Senegal (2002). They now face Uruguay for a spot in the semifinals.

BEST PLAYER: Lionel Messi, Argentina
He is a thorn, a magnet, and the little flea, all in one. Argentina’s No. 10 hasn’t scored yet, but has delivered terrifying runs in the midfield, launched more than 20 shots on goal, unwound defenses, attracted opponents to lose their bearing, and open up acres of space for his teammates. It is this play that has allowed his teammates to bury 10 goals so far, making Diego Maradona look like he is actually sane.

SMARTEST PLAYER: Nicolas Anelka, France
After an expletive exchange with Coach Raymond Domenech, Nicolas Anelka was sent home, and missed France’s last group game against the Bafana Bafana . Even with the media hype about the Les Blues, Anelka spoke his mind, and intuitively knew France would eventually go home, unless Domenech changed his coaching and team selection. He was smart enough to quit the campaign early!

MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM: England
After limping through to the round of 16, the team, loaded with English Premier League bigwigs, is torn with uncertainty. Germany handed England its worst-ever World Cup loss, a 4 – 1 score line. They made the English look slow, overweight and defeated. EPL big names such as Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Jermain Defoe and Heskey were undone.

BEST GAME: Ghana 2, USA 1
Ghana, had knocked out the Americans in yet another World Cup, in a riveting match ending by the same bitter score-line: 2-1. Easy to forget, will be Donovan’s spirited efforts to keep USA in the competition, with painful goals against Algeria and Slovenia, but Ghana’s Asamoah’s decisive goal in the 93rd minute of extra time,will continue to be USA’s heartbreak. Team USA had performed exceptionally well throughout the campaign, with late comebacks, but Ghana waited longer with the last nail, to send USA lads packing.

BEST SOLO GOAL: Carlos Tevez, Argentina vs. Mexico
Anger mixed with pride, can describe Tevez’s second goal, that drew the quarterfinal lifeline away from the Mexicans. Power, distance and accuracy are attributes that make it the best goal so far, eclipsing Spain’s David Villa’s goal against Chile, which was curled 40 yards in-field, from the top spot. In the build up to Tevez’s goal, the first attempt was blocked by a sea of Mexican defenders. As the ball suddenly landed at his feet, he figured another goal from more than 30 yards, would silence critics waiting to pounce at his sportsmanship. He marshaled his energy into one big fireball, pushed the ball a little ahead of him to the right, swung his body, and shot the ball with all his might. The ball cruised like a bullet through the still Johannesburg’s serene air, and curled acutely into the left corner of Óscar Pérez’s goal. As it shook and rested in the back of the net, the Mexicans were shaking their heads in disbelief, as Diego Maradona gave Tevez lengthy mafia hugs.

BEST CELEBRATION: Siphiwe Tshabalala, South Africa
Soccer is a mad sport. In this tournament, we have witnessed some bad referee calls, costly mistakes and worst injuries in a game loved, and played by both men and women . But when a homeboy scores, the madness rents every ventricle in the stadium. This is what the Bafana Bafana lads shared with the world, when Tshabalala’s shot tore through the Soccer City Stadium’s atmosphere, into the back of the Mexican net. The lads staged a synchronized winner-takes-all dance near the corner flag; one that songbird Beyonce should consider imitating; one that could easily be a Zulu dance of the 21st century.

BEST COACH: Diego Maradona, Argentina
He traffics the sidelines like a child looking for a lost needle. Wherever the ball goes, his mind goes with it. He behaves like he controls his players by some remote mechanism. Not only is he a genius, but a soccer fanatic too. His coaching ability has been underestimated by foes, and pundits alike. To add to his already mercurial behavior, he promised to run naked in the streets of Argentinean capital, if his team lifts the trophy. The remnant of his greatness on the pitch during his heydays, is manifested in his ability to have Argentina play enjoyable soccer.

WORST MANAGER: Raymond Domenech, France
Home goes Nicolas Anelka, after profanity-laced diatribe against Coach Ray; off goes the French captain Patrice Evra, just before the team’s final match against South Africa; followed by resignation of the team director Jean-Louis Valentin. The result of such bickering? First, the Fitness Coach Robert Duverne’s fall out with Evra before training, which culminated into the team’s refusal to attend a practice session. Second, the Les Bleus’ elimination in the first round, without winning a single match. To spray pepper into the eyes of every soccer lover, Domenech refused to shake hands with coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, after France’s 2-1 loss to host South Africa. Unsportsmanship you will agree, but be happy he is retiring.