GHANA BLACK STAR, WE LOVE YOU!
AFRICA, WE LOVE YOU!
South Africa
South Africa was the first of the African countries to bring that pride and unity to us, and we were not disappointed in the 1-1 goal. An emotional match, many of us poised to celebrate South Africa, to celebrate the game on our continent, and the past of the host country.
Nigeria, West Africa
Afrique / Africa by David Diop (1927-1960)
| Afrique mon Afrique Afrique des fiers guerriers dans les savanes ancestrales Afrique que me chantait ma grand-mère Au bord de son fleuve lointain Je ne t’ai jamais connue Mais mon regard est plein de ton sang Ton beau sang noir à travers les champs répandu Le sang de ta sueur La sueur de ton travail Le travail de l’esclavage L’esclavage de tes enfants Afrique dis-moi Afrique Est-ce donc toi ce dos qui se courbe Et se couche sous le poids de l’humilité Ce dos tremblant à zébrures rouges Qui dit oui au fouet sur les routes de midi Alors gravement une voix me répondit Fils impétueux cet arbre robuste et jeune Cet arbre là -bas Splendidement seul au milieu de fleurs blanches et fanées C’est l’Afrique ton Afrique qui repousse Qui repousse patiemment obstinément Et dont les fruits ont peu à peu L’amère saveur de la liberté. |
Africa my Africa Africa of proud warriors in ancestral savannahs Africa of whom my grandmother sings On the banks of the distant river I have never known you But your blood flows in my veins Your beautiful black blood that irrigates the fields The blood of your sweat The sweat of your work The work of your slavery Africa, tell me Africa Is this your back that is unbent This back that never breaks under the weight of humiliation This back trembling with red scars And saying no to the whip under the midday sun But a grave voice answers me Impetuous child that tree, young and strong That tree over there Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers That is your Africa springing up anew Springing up patiently, obstinately Whose fruit bit by bit acquires The bitter taste of liberty. |
Ghana, West Africa
I have been watching the World Cup of Nations 2010 being held in South Africa, and for the most part, I am intrigued by the unity among Africans in their support of African teams. Of course, Nigeria was defeated in its bid against Argentina, but Ghana’s win against Serbia was celebrated across Africa and in the world by Africans. Despite Nigeria’s loss, Africans remain proud of Nigeria.
Cameroon, West Africa
When Cameroon played Japan, the expectation was that Cameroon, the powerful Indomitable Lions would certainly defeat Japan. Disappointingly, Cameroon did not win that game and Japan walked away with the lone goal. But speaking to Africans on the continent, in the US and other places, one still sees that admiration for Cameroon and a love that convinces that despite our troubles in the continent, the love for our teams remains strong.
Today, Ivory Coast is up against Portugal in a very exciting game. Ivory Coast was not expected to lead in this match, but hey, Ivory Coast is playing very powerfully, and in fact, as I write, the goal keeper for Ivory Coast has just caught a very powerful ball that was supposed to be a goal. The Ivorian boys are playing beyond the expectation of everyone.
Ivory Coast
Today, Ivory Coast is up against Portugal in a very exciting game. Ivory Coast was not expected to lead in this match, but hey, Ivory Coast is playing very powerfully, and in fact, as I write, the goal keeper for Ivory Coast has just caught a very powerful ball that was supposed to be a goal. The Ivorian boys are playing beyond the expectation of everyone. The game has just ended with a goaless draw. What a great team. And are we proud of Ivory Coast!
The Ivorian boys are playing beyond the expectation of everyone.
Many of us football fans who have never followed the games in such a close way are following the games for one major reason:
The world cup is today being held for the first time on our soil, in our homeland, on a continent filled with the blood of suffering and pain. This is the homecoming for many. It is without a doubt that this is also an emotional celebration. The World Cup is not just being held in Africa; it is being held in South Africa, the home of pain and suffering under the evils of racism. Africans may have many problems, but the unity between nations is being tested. Ask an African to tell you who they support when an African team is up against a non-African team, and they will tell you they support the African team. It does not matter that we speak different Colonial Languages from region to region or from country to country. What matters is that Africans know that the languages and borders are only creations of an outside force.
YOUR PRESENCE
(by David Diop)
In your presence I rediscovered my name;
My name that was hidden under the pain of separation;
I rediscovered the eyes no longer veiled with fever;
And your laughter like a flame piercing the shadows,
Has revealed Africa to me beyond the snow of yesterday;
Ten years my love.
With days of illusions and shattered ideas;
And sleep made restless with alcohol;
The suffering that burdens today with the taste of tomorrow;
And that turns love into a boundless river;
In your presence I have rediscovered the memory of my blood;
And necklaces of laughter hung around our days;
Days sparkling with ever new joys.
I was listening when the commentator of the game between Ivory Coast and Portugal exclaimed that it is amazing that all of Africans at the stadium are cheering the African teams. Is that supposed to be a surprise? No. The games now being played on our soil are a cause for celebration that not only is the world coming together, but that Africa will prevail against the odds.
