Of soccer madness, people losing their senses and wives becoming temporary widows

Simbarashe msasanuri (Bongoblast)

IT never dawned in Charles Goodyear's mind that one of his inventions, a soccer ball, will one day turn the world up side down. Never did he imagine that his efforts were to catapult football into being one of the richest sports on earth that does not only offer employment but bring with it entertainment, laughter, grief and tears.

Though the actual origins of a soccer ball are shrouded in obscurity, footballs have gone through a dramatic change over time. During medieval times balls were normally made from an outer shell of leather filled with cork shavings. Another method of creating a ball was using animal bladders for the inside of the ball making it inflatable. However, these two styles of creating footballs made it easy for the ball to puncture and were inadequate for kicking. It was not until the 19th century that footballs developed into what a football looks like today.

In 1838, Charles Goodyear introduced the use of rubber and his discoveries of Vulcanization, which dramatically improved the football. Vulcanization is the treatment of rubber to give it certain qualities such as strength, elasticity, and resistance to solvents. Vulcanization of rubber also helps the football resist moderate heat and cold. Vulcanization helped create inflatable bladders that pressurize the outer panel arrangement of the football.

Charles Goodyear's innovation increased the bounce ability of the ball and made it easier to kick. Most of the balls of this time had tanned leather with eighteen sections stitched together. These were arranged in six panels of three strips each. This gentleman's invention marked a turning point in the history of football.

Just like I mentioned before, it never dawned on him that his work could help the sport develop into arguably the most followed after game in the world. So many people love the game with all their hearts, bodies and souls to such an extent that when their teams are playing, they are glued to their television sets -- that is if they fail to be in the stadium -- concentrating so much that they don't want to be disturbed.

This usually brings a lot of conflicts within families especially between husband and wife. It is a well known fact that when major soccer tournaments such as the World Cup, African Cup of Nations, Champions League and so on starts, relationships are usually strained as many husbands tend to neglect their wives only to watch football. This is usually fueled by the fact that some women find nothing interesting in football rather than 22 insane men chasing a small rubber ball, kicking it for 90 minutes.

With the 2010 World Cup being around the corner, I think I need not to tell you what most women are feeling right now. To make matters worse, the games will be held a stone's throw away from Bongoland for the first time and this definitely makes it a must watch if not a must attend. To add insult to an injury the games will be played in June and it will be winter, a reason that will make women hate soccer more because they can't stomach the idea of being alone in bed while its cold because someone is waiting to watch a late night match.

Soccer does not only bring grief to women who become temporary widows when major soccer tournaments are staged but even players themselves are often seen crying after losing a match. No one wants to lose be they players, supporters or team owners. As a supporter of my favourite team, I usually fail to stomach defeat. This reminds me of a certain teacher of mine. He used to support one of the biggest clubs in the country and whenever his team was beaten, we all knew that for the rest of that week we would be in for a high jump. He could come and beat the lights out of everyone for no apparent reason. I did not understand it then but now I think I do.

The Dar derby featuring Simba and Yanga last week left a lot of broken hearts. The events last Sunday revealed a true reflection of what Goodyear's invention can do to a nation, especially a football crazy nation like Bongo. I did nothing but to enjoy the events as I am a neutral supporter. In other words, I don't support either of the two teams.

What I saw especially in some high density suburbs of Dar es Salaam was something out of this world. The place I stay did not have electricity so I couldn't follow the proceedings from the National Stadium, but that did not deter football-hungry and die hard fans from knowing what was happening. Most of them gathered around houses or places where there were radios that were connected to batteries.

There was no need for someone like me to ask the score line because I could tell the number of scores due to the fact that every time a team scored, commotion ensured as people shouted, running around and doing all sorts of weird things in the name of celebration. I remember seeing someone who became so ecstatic that he threw himself in a pool of muddy rainy water. When he picked himself up, he was nothing less than a vagabond.

The celebrations were so wild that some people threw away reason and dignity. What surprised me was that even women joined the fray. Some women could be seen running around, shouting and dancing ecstatically. They never cared about the presence of males near them to such an extent that their dancing left a lot of questions than answers especially to many people who were sober and watching the happenings from afar.

Some of these women never cared sending wrong messages as their dances turned suggestive. I remember seeing one lady dancing to an extent that her khanga, the only thing she was wrapping on herself, fell. What surprised me is that she never cared less, rather, she picked her khanga, covered herself and continued celebrating.

I think even the biblical King David, who is well known for dancing, could have witnessed this event then definitely he was going to surrender.

Some touts were carried away to an extent that they ended up exchanging blows. Some were supporters of Yanga while others were supporting Simba. The argument was kindled by some fans accusing the referee of favoritism while others were trying to justify their victory. I didn't know that Tanzania is awash with boxing talent to that extent. What I saw was talent that is being wasted as these guys are really talented when it comes to this game.

When the match finally ended, there was more drama now as Simba supporters were running around the dusty and narrow streets carrying their flags while singing and shouting. Traffic came to a halt as these guys blocked the streets, celebrating as if there was no tomorrow.

The Simba-Yanga matches always bring with them fireworks in this country. Die hard supporters are usually seen with flags or regalia even if their teams lose. This is a sign allegiance and shows maturity because when it comes to football, you either win or lose and life goes on.

Difficulties are however, faced when in a family the husband and wife support different teams. A story is told of a certain couple in Dar es Salaam. The husband supports Simba while the wife supports Yanga. So what happens is that, every time Yanga is beaten, the wife refuses to prepare supper and the husband will have to run around to make sure that the family doesn't sleep on empty stomachs. And, when Simba is beaten then the wife knows very well that that night she will have to spend it alone. The husband doesn't come home. It might seem stranger than fiction but dear reader this is no fiction, it's real. There are many stories we have heard of how couples deal with the situation in this case and we can share them.

What is important, however, is to note that though football brings with it wild celebrations, joy, grief, and broken hearts, it is a game that unites people. Whether the team you support wins or loses, it's game on and mpira ni mchezo, life goes on. God bless you.

bongoblast@thisday.co.tz