If you asked any group of young white South Africans in Cape Town’s Long Street who they were supporting as Africa’s last hope Ghana played the US on Saturday, the answer was unanimous — Ghana.
“I feel much more African now than I did before the World Cup started,” 17-year-old student Storm Barry said.
“It started with wearing the Bafana shirt, but now that they are out, I’m supporting any African team,” she said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Many South Africans say the experience of following their team’s World Cup campaign together has left them feeling more unified as a nation, but some young white South Africans also describe feeling more linked to the African Continent through the tournament.
“Ghana are the last African team, and they are representing all of us. I’d say we’ve all shifted our support to Ghana now South Africa is out,” 18-year-old student Josh Lurie said.
While young white South Africans might have been more likely to visit the US than Ghana he said, there was a new African consciousness in the young.
“It’s different with the older generation. I’ve heard older people say they will support the United States,” he said. “But here on Long Street during the World Cup, I’ve met young Ghanaians and Cameroonians and I feel much more aligned to Africa.”
Huge expectations were invested in the World Cup’s six African competitors, but only Ghana progressed from the group stage, although South Africa filled local hearts with pride by beating France.
“I think young white South Africans are definitely feeling more a part of the continent. The older generation don’t have as much trust and pride in this country as we do, but I’m really proud of South Africa hosting this World Cup and I feel African,” 20-year-old Cape Town student Cheneal Puljevic said while out looking for a place to watch the soccer.
“We are the future of this country and I think it is a really important change,” she added.
Ghanaian student Kwame Boachie-Yiadom, carrying a heavy drum as he searched for a football screen said: “I think it may be premature to say the World Cup has broken down barriers and changed things. But I do feel a new openness.”
Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen yesterday exited at the BWF World Tour Finals in China, losing in the semi-finals to China’s world No. 1 Shi Yuqi. Shi, who was named the BWF Men’s Singles Player of the Year, had a 9-4 record against Chou going into the match. He extended that record to 9-5 with a 21-14, 21-18 victory. Chou advanced to the men’s singles semi-finals on Friday by upsetting top-seeded Anders Antonsen of Denmark in a must-win match at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium. The 16-21, 21-18, 21-15 victory saw Chou secure his second semi-finals appearance at the tournament, despite his relatively older
BOOT TO FACE: Wilfried Singo said that his actions were not intentional, ‘but I was able to see afterwards that’ the ’keeper had a significant face injury Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday came from behind to extend their unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season with a 4-2 win away against AS Monaco, but lost goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to a gruesome facial injury. The bloodied Italy international was left requiring 10 staples after sustaining lacerations to the right side of his face when he was caught by the studs of Monaco defender Wilfried Singo. “I don’t know if the referee was badly positioned, but VAR [video assistant referee] needed to intervene, you have to protect the players,” PSG captain Marquinhos said. “To not give a red in a situation like
India’s chess star Gukesh Dommaraju returned to a hero’s welcome in his home city yesterday after becoming the youngest world champion aged only 18. Hundreds of fans crowded the arrivals area of Chennai International Airport, cheering alongside banks of television cameras as Gukesh made his way out of the airport after victory in taking the World Chess Championship title. “It means a lot to bring back the trophy to India,” Gukesh told reporters, with garlands of flowers draped around his neck, brandishing the glittering trophy in his hand. “I can see the support and what it means to India, I
Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Friday joined Max Verstappen on stage when the Red Bull driver collected the Formula One champion’s trophy for the fourth year in a row at a ceremony held in Africa for the first time. The 27-year-old was handed the trophy by International Automobile Federation president Mohammed Ben Sulayem alongside Kagame, who had earlier spoken at the gala in Kigali of Rwanda bidding to host a race. Verstappen, who is one of only six drivers to have won four or more titles since the championship started in 1950, said he was proud of his season and everyone in
RSS