Soccer Tournament

This past weekend there was a soccer tournament that Matt helped organize.  It was more successful and entertaining than we could have imagined.  As some of you may not know, soccer is the only sport for many South Africans.  Rugby and cricket are popular among the white population, but in our corner of the country soccer is the be-all and end-all of sports.  Young boys are kicking balls, rocks, rolled-up plastic bags (basically anything) from the time they can walk.  In short, soccer is kind of a big deal here.

Ten teams entered the tournament, and with the nominal entrance fees and some donations we were able to buy medals for 1^st and 2^nd places, refreshments, and we had a little money left over for prizes.  We were also fortunate to borrow a sound system from the church (if you play House music, they will come). 

              

The highlight of the tournament came during the second game.  Our boys at the primary school formed a team.  Prior to the tournament, everyone hoped to play them in the first round.  When we asked people whether our boys had a chance, everyone laughed.  Before their match (against a team of high schoolers and men in their early 20s) they appeared out of place.  The other team was going through organized warm-up drills.  The boys milled around joking with each other.  The men all wore cleats.  The boys were barefoot. 

But after the first ten minutes something strange happened.  Everyone in the crowd of about 200 collectively realized that the men had not yet scored and if the boys managed to remain tied at the end of the game, they would have a chance in the shoot-out.  Halftime came and the game was still a scoreless tie.  During the 2^nd half everyone was on their feet cheering loudly for the boys.  Then with about 10 minutes left, it happened.  They boys scored.  50 people rushed the field.  Then 5 minutes later it happened again.  This time 100 people rushed the field to celebrate the boys’ 2-0 lead.  The boy who had scored both goals was hoisted onto people’s shoulders.  Some of the men on the other team lied down on the ground looked ashamed and dejected.  One of the primary school teachers collapsed on the ground to mock them.  The game ended a few minutes later and people rushed the field again. 

Even though the boys had only made it to the next round, they had instantaneously become the true champions of the tournament.  Nobody cared when they were blown out in their next match because that one victory had ensured success for the entire tournament.  And no subsequent games would match the drama until the end of the championship itself (which remarkably went to 14 rounds in the shoot-out).  Mthoko, the 13 year-old who scored both of the boys’ goals, was awarded a medal for Young Player of the Tournament.  He proudly wore it to school on Monday and when we told him (for the 20^th time) that we were so proud of him, he guaranteed 1^st place next time.  Sizobona.  We will see.

As for everything else, life is still good here.  The school term ends next week and the children are now writing exams, so things are pretty slow.  Sara’s parents arrive next Tuesday, and we are eagerly looking forward to sharing our site with them and then travelling for a couple weeks.  This weekend we will be in Pretoria and we will definitely be posting pictures from the tournament on facebook.