Amathamsanqa South Africa!!

Posted on June 10th, 2010 | by Rohan |

I have lived and breathed sport probably before I could walk, probably a result of being born the son of a man who played for, in the opinion of many, the greatest cricketing side to walk the face of the earth.

My dearest mother, as with most proud matriarchs, is always happy to recount tales of my childhood, a very happy one for that matter.

Something of which I am often reminded is my love for fruit … to this day, I love them and am inclined to have my ‘5 a day’. As a toddler, I loved them just as much, although less to feed my appetite, than to utilise the family apples and oranges as cricket balls!

This innocent love of sport has never disappeared. It may have become slightly more technical over the years, but a life of playing, watching, debating over, and writing about sport will have that effect. It has also necessitated an almost photographic memory, a quality which I have fortunately been able to periodically transfer into my professional life!

These ‘instant recollections’ are wide and varied, but certain events are indelible in the mind, more lucid than yesterday. Birthdays come to mind, my first century for Warwickshire Schools Cricket Association, more recently the day that Dani and I got engaged.

Added to this list are numerous sporting events, ranging from the 1986 FA Cup Final, every Olympic 100 Metre Final since 1980, West Indies winning the 1979 Cricket World Cup Final, through to the indescribable chip of Tiger Woods on the 16th hole at the 2005 Masters.

The opening day of the FIFA World Cup is another of those days which seems to implant itself on the memory. The strange thing is that the football is rarely spectacular, but it is always a release after weeks of anticipation.

The 1982 World Cup (España 82) to those who remember is the first that really registers in the memory bank for me. In those days, it was the reigning Champions that featured in the opening match of the tournament. Coming some few weeks after the end of the Falklands War, Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Belgium was celebrated by most in England. Talking of 1982, I still maintain that the Brasil side was the most brilliant attacking side I have ever seen.

In fact, my favourite opening day also featured the Argentinians, beaten 1-0 by the celebrated Cameroon side of 1990 at the magnificent San Siro to start Italia 90.

Another famous opening day upset was Senegal’s 1-0 victory over France in 2002 – a victory that would precede a string of interesting signings over the last decade at Anfield. I wonder how hindsight views the names Salif Diao and El-Hadji Ousseynou Diouf in Liverpool Football Club’s illustrious history?

Of course the World Cup will also evoke memories of the dreaded Penalty Shootout! Before England fans turn away, I shall mention only the years 1990, 1998 and 2006, but not the detail!

So after all the hype, tomorrow brings the reality … and I cannot wait. Having completed the BBC Sports World Cup 2010 Predictor, I find myself awaiting a mouth-watering clash between the South American giants of Brasil and Argentina in the Final, with Spain and England the unfortunate Semi-Final victims.

However, this is far from guaranteed given that Spain face another potential heavyweight clash with Portugal or the Ivorians in the round of 16, whilst the Brazilians could encounter the unpredictable but brilliant Dutch in the round of 8.

There will be joy, tears, tantrums, and drama, and then Messrs Lineker and Chiles might shut the panel up and hand over to the match itself!

I have often spoken of my love of South Africa. I have no doubt that the Rainbow Nation will inspire a magnificent FIFA World Cup 2010, one which I believe will eventually hand Brasil its 6th World Cup victory. And how special it would be for them to have the honour of defending it in their home country in 2014.

Amathamsanqa South Africa!!