By: Femi Peters Jr. (Chelsea)
‘To cap it off, it was a good night to be French,’ BBC Sports report concluded a decade ago when France dazed Brazil 3-0 to lift the World Cup that memorable night on 12th July.
A teenaged me was backing Les Bleus as Brazil edged past Holland, the tournament’s most exciting team to watch. I know Brazil fans would beg to differ but the Patrick Kluivert and co were a dazzle to watch.
Before I veer off, (which I’m quite good at, admittedly) let me stay on track.
Saturday 11th October 2008 is a date that’s going to be etched in the memory of every football loving Gambian.
Forget winning the CAN U-17 tourney, forget participating in FIFA junior World Cups and all that. This is as gigantic as it gets.
Going to Dakar and leaving with something is almost as good as a CAN senior appearance. Okay, there is still work to do to get there but, damn, doesn’t it feel good to put them ‘graas’ (moniker for Senegalese) in their place? Doesn’t it feel good to send them on a three year footballing hiatus? David and Goliath have nothing on this, straight up!
I’m not a traitor, don’t get it twisted. And I’m not a fair weather Gambian either. But I can’t remember the last time I felt this good to be Gambian.
I need a Scorpions shirt with Jaiteh 5 on it. He can go on and score many vital goals in his career but none would surpass netting a goal that erased 46 years of hurt for a nation. This might sound over the top but how about a Tijan Jaiteh Stand at the Independence Stadium or a Tijan Jaiteh Avenue? Over to the powers that be...
We have been so used to getting pegged back by our bigger neighbours it is déjà vu anytime we meet them.
Last time we beat them, we were still under colonial rule so the weekend’s draw has to be seen a win, from a Gambian perspective.
I was among the entourage that made history when we crossed the border to back the Scorpions as they take on the Teranga Lions in a vital CAN qualifier in June 2003.
We were trailing 2-0 at half time and ducking and diving to escape hails of stones sent our way by the home fans. I tell you, there was nothing teranga about that event. In the end, we lost 3-1, had our bus window smashed, leaving all of us petrified. Last time I was that scared, I was detained at Police Barracks Line on April 10th 2000. Now that’s a bad day to be Gambian but let’s not rain on our own parade.
I followed the game online and was pleased it was goalless at the break. Another half to go, I said to myself, my eyes glued on the screen. I left to see to the rumbling in my insides and when I came back, the FIFA site stated it was a goal to the good to Senegal.
‘Here we go again,’ I muttered bitterly and turned off my computer. It was 15 minutes to go and the Scorpions are not known for doing a Chelsea: leaving it late.
Imagine my unbridled joy when I got a call from a pal of mine the next day after church, telling me the Senegalese are unruly and utter bad losers.
‘They smashed the stadium and all that,’ he said.
‘Did you say bad losers?’ I asked, holding my breath.
‘Well, it was a draw. We scored with four minutes to go.’
I’ve always joked about being more Nigerian than Gambian due to my non-Gambian name but I was damn glad to be Gambian that minute. My only regret is I was not part of the away fans at the Leopold Senghore Stadium to watch history unfold.
I would have traded that for my first Stamford Bridge visit in a heartbeat. For a Chelsea nut, that’s saying something.
Senegalese football made every one sit up six years ago. From being CAN 2002 finalists to World Cup last eight representatives, they were absolutely breath taking.
Six years on, they are hurled back to the drawing board, by their smaller neighbours who did not even have to win to do that.
If that is not sweet for a Gambian, you’ve dropped a couple of screws. Sting, Scorpions, sting!
PPS: Lee Ak Lahlae back next week, folks.