Lusaka. Sunday afternoon, 14.45h. I am walking back home. The streets are empty. Where are all the cars, the people, the noise? Has there been a state of emergency declared?
No, the Chipolopolo Boys, Zambias National football team, are about to have a game against South Africa. It’s the last game in the qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations next year, and Zambia needs to win it to qualify. Of course, nobody wants to miss it.
So I rush home, to make it on time. In the living room, the whole family is already waiting for the game to start. Unbelievably, the Zambian captain scores three goals in the first 20 minutes of the game and makes the win over the big rival South Africa perfect. People are going crazy in front of the TV, and those who don’t have one go crazy in front of the radio. The celebrations are to last for two days, as if Zambia just had won the world cup.
It is amazing how a game of football can unite a nation, make people forget their problems and sorrows, even if it is just for a short time. I have experienced that feeling in Argentina before and it still gives me shivers…..
That’s the beauty of football!
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