From the World Cup Frontline: "It's Time for Ghafrica"

Another dispatch from our man on the ground at the World Cup.

Twenty years ago, almost to the month, I was watching Roger Mila score against Argentina in the 1990 World Cup. As a supporter of the Albisete, I was less than happy and let out an expletive expressing my discontent. My uncle, who was watching the game with us, gave me a lecture about how I should be supporting Cameroon by virtue of them being an African country and thus more deserving of a fellow African's support. I didn't agree at the time.

Fast forward 20 years: We're at Soccer City in Joburg watching Ghana play with fire as they keep failing to capitalize on chances against Germany. The Manshafft is well represented in the stands with their fans cheering them on, but the real sonic explosions come with every missed Ghanian chance.

There is no mistaking what is taking place over here: Ghana is the only African team left with a chance to advance to the knockout rounds and the crowd wants them to go through. As the game progresses, we anxiously check scores from other matches, mulling over possible permutations that will get Ghana into the round of 16.

Eventually, it all works out for both teams and the party gets started. As we exit the stadium, spectators of all colors party in unison with an improvised Ghanian parade. All manner of flags are represented as the human wave makes its way from the stadium to the parking areas in the most festive of atmospheres, with a Budweiser-fueled soundtrack of vuvuzelas and various chants. United by football, we celebrate together.

One of the signs drawing lots of flashes reads: "It's time for Ghafrica," a play on the "It's time for Africa" slogan. That slogan, however generic it may sound, is very befitting: this is not South Africa's world cup, it's AFRICA's world cup! Even better, it's Africa's moment to shine on the world stage and by all accounts, it's shining on the logistical organizational front. Ghana going through makes the celebration complete and brings it all together.

There’s that word again: "together." It's not a commonly used adjective when talking about Africa and deservedly so. There's a long blood trail leading to closets filled with the skeletons of civil war, racism, xenophobia, tribal conflicts and segregation.... but all of a sudden, those things don't seem to matter anymore: for the first time ( and most likely the last), Africa is united!

A week later, I'm back at the Dung Beetle, in little Barrydale watching Ghana beat the US of A. It's all fun and games with shots passed around in celebration and everyone having a good time. Africa is still in holding its head high when some of the bigger names like France and Italy have packed up and gone home.

An older gentleman, Tom, is sits in the corner looking positively surprised that Ghana is through. We strike up a conversation about boats, sailing, sports and what not. At some point this statement comes out: "I can't believe how well they've done with this World Cup thing. The soccer is getting all the attention right now and we gotta be careful so people don't lose interest in the Rugby…"

Take it as it comes... for most people, it's "everyone's World Cup," but for a few it's still "Their soccer, our rugby." That said, it didn't stop the celebration or prevent the biggest bar tab I've ever rung up.