World Cup 2010 Lessons for Politics

World Cup 2010 Lessons for Politics

If the Art of War, written by Sun Tzu several thousand years ago is still relevant to politics in the 21^st century, then, a politician watching the tactics and strategies being employed by various managers and coaches to win the World Cup cannot fail to glean a few lessons that can be applied to politics. I am not a football maniac; I only resurface during major tournaments so I bet I am more observant than somebody who is a professional football fan.

 In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, I am fascinated by the players’ tactics and how different teams adapt to various challenges. The World Cup is proving to be a contest of wits as it is of strengths. Supposed pedigrees are falling by the wayside, while minnows are advancing.  The competition is tight, only a slight mistake is enough to send a team packing. I cannot help but pick a few lessons learned that can be applied in politics:

1.       Never underestimate your opponent. Anybody in the competition has a lethal weapon that has brought him/her that far. This is what befell the Italians in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Defending champions, with a galaxy of stars but could not contain the Slovak underdogs who are nowhere in the world football map.

2.       There are no favorites in any competition.  Anybody in a contest is in it to win. A favorite is under more pressure to win than an underdog. Uruguay and Paraguay are playing with relaxed minds because nobody expects them to win yet they are winning. The English were touted as pre-match favorites, but they are now watching the contest from the (dis)comfort of their English living rooms.

3.       It is about team work not star power. The star-studded French team could not advance beyond the group stages yet the relatively unknown teenage Ghanaian team is chalking in accolades after accolades.

4.       Never be cowed by pedigrees. The David-Goliath mismatch is again unfolding in South Africa.

5.       Adapt your strategy to suit the situation.

6.       Have the crowd to shout your name. It is like wind to your sails. This is the reason I am betting on Ghana to beat Uruguay.

7.       If you cannot beat them on a direct contest then defend your strongholds and as you plan an attack.  Your opponents will wear out trying to break your defense

8.       Have a good finishing. It is no point playing good football yet you cannot score. It is the scores that count not entertainment. Have a sure fire-power in front to convert your footwork into goals.

9.       In football as in politics, it is the end that justifies the means. Score whenever and wherever as long as the referee has not noticed. From Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ to Frank Lampard’s disallowed score, once the referee has ruled, it stands. Don’t shy away from a controversial win.

10.   Have a sober technical bench. If you are the coach (in this case, the candidate), the anxiety of the moment will compromise your ability to think straight when the contest is on. Have you noticed that before a substitution is done, a player is briefed by the technical bench? Have you noticed again that most substitutes go ahead to score in the next few minutes? So, study the game as it progresses and note your opponent’s weaknesses and utilize it. Never underestimate the importance of your campaign staff.

11.   Maintain your cool. Even if you are trailing in the competition, never lose your temper. It is the best way to lose a contest. Ask the French team. If your opponent notices you have blown your fuse, they will rattle you more so you hit back and get send off.

12.   Never mess in the penalty box. If you live in a glass house, don’t throw stones. Never let your opponent play you on your weakest areas. Protect your weaknesses from the sight of your opponent. Protect and divert attention from your Achilles Heels.

13.   Maintain effective communication with your team. You have seen how decisions by captains are respected by other players. They decide who take the penalties and the corners. In short, provide leadership in your campaign via effective communication.

14.   Review the situation occasionally and adjust. Noticed how players come back with renewed vigor after the half time break? A good debriefing from the coach can win a contest.

15.   Time is of essence. Be the first one to score and do so early. It is good for the team’s psychology. Don’t struggle to score in the dying moments of the game. By then everybody wants a win.

16.   Take every game seriously. Win all if you can. Your track record will count psychologically in subsequent matches.

17.   You are entirely responsible for your team’s performance. If your team is embarrassed in the World Cup and you are the coach, your job is over. You either jump or you are pushed. Learn to take responsibility. Every move counts.

 

Why Different People Support Differen...

Why Different People Support Different Teams in the World Cup

On a game of Italy versus Slovakia, I found myself in an awkward position, as a Kenyan it means that our country is not and has never participated in the World Cup, so naturally we support African teams when they are playing. It is a unanimous position except for a few crackpots and unpatriotic guys. When no African team is playing, this is the time that various people advance a myriad of reasons why they support this team and not the other.

Back to my Italy-Slovakia story. In World Cup 06 finals against France, i was for Italy, simply because France were the defending champions.This time round I was not rooting for them but a close friend recently married an Italian, hence i had to help her support her new country. We were watching Italy play Slovakia in a big hall in Nairobi. It turned out we were the only guys supporting Italy in a hall of fifty plus. Why, they are against rich nations. Didn't know there is comradeship in poverty!

Since that match, which Italy lost despite having won a new fan in me, I have developed a keen interest in knowing why different people support different teams in the World Cup. Whenever I watch a game in a public place, I make sure I ask people seated next to me why they are supporting  particular teams (so passionately as football is a game of passion). The answers range from nationality, relationships, politics, and football clubs allegiances.

1. Nationality

Its obvious a Brazilian will wear his panty back to front in an effort to bribe the football gods to favor his team while a Bafana Bafana fan will pass by the local Sangoma. Except in a few unpatriotic cases like ABE ( Anything But England), this is always the norm.

2. Relationships

a) My mother is of Italian descent, so i am supporting Italy...Italy all the way!
b) My sister is dating a German, go Germany go!
c) My brother works for Toyota...hey Japan! do us proud!
d) My last born daughter was born in England and I named her Chelsea. May God help the English to win this match!

3. Politics

a) Damn the colonizers! I wont blow my vuvuzela for you!
b) You cannot have all the money and have all the football glory as well, I am from a poor nation, so i will throw my lot behind my fellow suffering developing nations. This is why South American teams get the loudest vuvuzela cheers from South African fans ( when they are not playing against African teams that is)
c) Italians are bigoted racists!
d) Securing a Visa to the US is harder than convincing the guys manning the gates of heaven to let you in! May the US Team go to hell!
e) These G8 Nations promise aid that never get here!
f) Your president is a despot. We cant let him use football to further his political interests. No way!
g) Race. The French team is the 7th African team. Look at those west africans playing for France. Go les blues go!
h) The English are arrogant hooligans. Look at the sneer in Wayne Rooney's face, phew!

4. Football Clubs allegiances

a) Drogba is too Chelsea for me. I hate Chelsea! Ivorians,ya aint getting nowhere, not by a long shot!
b) Where Messi goes, i go!

4. Others

a) I love Brazilian chicks. Whatever happens in Rio spills over to football!
b) Cristiano Ronaldo is the hottest footballer alive! Come kiss me nooooow! Go Portugal go!
c) I love underdogs. I can't the stand the boisterous English!

Football brings people together in a way that i had never imagined. It shows how people's interests, tastes , likes and dislikes form a global web that makes the World Cup a global phenomenon of immense fun.

Please Bring ma Vuvuzela ( Khawuleth'vuvuzela wami)

Please Bring my Vuvuzela ( Khawuleth'vuvuzela wami)

Zulu	English
Vuvuzela wami vuvuzela wami khawuleth'vuvuzela wami vuvuzela wami vuvuzela wami, khawuleth'vuvuzela wami vuvuzela wami vuvuzela wami, khawuleth'vuvuzela wami khawuleth'vuvuzela wami Wen'uyang'ibambezela vuvuzela wami, khawuleth'umshini wami	My vuvuzela my vuvuzela Please bring my vuvuzela My machine my vuvuzela Please bring my vuvuzela My machine my vuvuzela Please bring my vuvuzela Please bring my vuvuzela You're pulling me back My vuvuzela , Please bring my vuvuzela

World Cup African Teams Anthem

World Cup African Teams Anthem

We goin on a raid oo
tell em on da radio oo

we gonna whip their asses
and burn their houses
and make them weep

we goin on a raid oo
tell em on da radio oo

we gonna steal their towns
and rout their cities
and rape their women

we goin on a raid oo
tell em on da radio oo

we gonna sleep on their beds
drink their wines
and dine on their tables

we goin on a raid oo
tell em on da radio oo

we gonna make em flee
and make em plead
and make em bleeeed

we goin on a raid oo
tell em on da radio


raise your fist
punch like a beast
and lets go for the raaaaaaaaid!

LADIES:WHY IT IS ADVISABLE TO LET YOU...

LADIES:WHY IT IS ADVISABLE TO LET YOUR BOY PLAY

Unless you don't mind a lousy dude in bed, the old adage 'practice makes perfect' is applicable in bed as it is in the classroom or the work place. But i dont mean a guy who goes on fucking every other pussiehole in town will necessarily break your bed record or the bed itself, unlike the marathon, it is not guaranteed. I mean a totally different way in which a guy who has an extra pussie somewhere will end up benefetting your sex life whether he is married to you, is your fiance or just a fucking aid.

So much has been written about sex: the art as well the science of it. New Aphrodisiacs , both synthetic and natural are published in health journals as the ultimate sex wonder  drug every other year and marketed in glitzy ads. but. there is one great enduring aphrodisiac of all times that is only known to men. It is very  effective, free and handy to any man who has a working dick. It cannot be discussed with ladies as it is most likely to spark a domestic row, unless you are not sexually related. Even if they are told, they cannot believe it works. Its name is FANTASY!

Men are wired naturally to get bored with regular, same pussie. They can have sex everyday with gusto if the diet is changed. With the same lady, they can do less than twice a week unless they are, of course, forced by conjugal obligations or plain sympathy. Ladies are yet to come to terms with a lover or husband fucking their ugly house-help just two months after the wedding that got everyone talking in town. The old question (gosh! what did he see in that ugly bitch?), finally has an answer, it goes by the name:VARIETY! There is no sweeter pussie than a new pussie, beauty of the owner notwithstanding! Ask any man.

So, if ya dude give it to another gal, what are the benefits to you? Ya see, if ya are in bed with ya boyfriend, hubby, or ya regular sex aid, ya might be havin fun but for him, it is pure torture. He might get his dick up the first round but the second round will take more effort, time and brain work. It may fail to harden up unless he takes his mind away from ya. It is not because ya ugly, unpalatable or insipid. No. It takes a new pussie to excite a dick and nothing much else. But ya need a fuck and he cant tell ya no, much as he may want. It is your right blah blah. What is he gonna do? Simple. He gotta think of the thighs, boobs, lips,ass and the sex he had with the other girl and bingo! The dick is hard! The only time he will think about ya is when his dick is firmly in ya and would want to prolong the sex act. Just to help ya. Because ya a boring regular pussie, he wont come that fast. When finally ya come screaming, he again fantasize havin sex with the other gal, even if it is the housegirl and pronto! he comes too. The game is over and ya are happy, and it is mainly courtesy of the other chick he bonked the other day. But nobody is gonna tell ya what ingredients went into the love making that just took ya to cloud nine.

I know somebody has told ya before why ya should not mind ya boy watching porn movies. The reason is related to this but connecting with a real past sex act is more effective.

Now ya know.The benefits that accrues to ya sex life outta the other girl sharing his dick with ya cannot be gainsaid! So, next time ya catch him playing, note that is for the benefit of ya all.

LADIES:WHY IT IS ADVISABLE TO LET YOU...

LADIES:WHY IT IS ADVISABLE TO LET YOUR BOY PLAY

Unless you don't mind a lousy dude in bed, the old adage 'practice makes perfect' is applicable in bed as it is in the classroom or the work place. But i dont mean a guy who goes on fucking every other pussiehole in town will necessarily break your bed record or the bed itself, unlike the marathon, it is not guaranteed. I mean a totally different way in which a guy who has an extra pussie somewhere will end up benefetting your sex life whether he is married to you, is your fiance or just a fucking aid.

So much has been written about sex: the art as well the science of it. New Aphrodisiacs , both synthetic and natural are published in health journals as the ultimate sex wonder  drug every other year and marketed in glitzy ads. but. there is one great enduring aphrodisiac of all times that is only known to men. It is very  effective, free and handy to any man who has a working dick. It cannot be discussed with ladies as it is most likely to spark a domestic row, unless you are not sexually related. Even if they are told, they cannot believe it works. Its name is FANTASY!

Men are wired naturally to get bored with regular, same pussie. They can have sex everyday with gusto if the diet is changed. With the same lady, they can do less than twice a week unless they are, of course, forced by conjugal obligations or plain sympathy. Ladies are yet to come to terms with a lover or husband fucking their ugly house-help just two months after the wedding that got everyone talking in town. The old question (gosh! what did he see in that ugly bitch?), finally has an answer, it goes by the name:VARIETY! There is no sweeter pussie than a new pussie, beauty of the owner notwithstanding! Ask any man.

So, if ya dude give it to another gal, what are the benefits to you? Ya see, if ya are in bed with ya boyfriend, hubby, or ya regular sex aid, ya might be havin fun but for him, it is pure torture. He might get his dick up the first round but the second round will take more effort, time and brain work. It may fail to harden up unless he takes his mind away from ya. It is not because ya ugly, unpalatable or insipid. No. It takes a new pussie to excite a dick and nothing much else. But ya need a fuck and he cant tell ya no, much as he may want. It is your right blah blah. What is he gonna do? Simple. He gotta think of the thighs, boobs, lips,ass and the sex he had with the other girl and bingo! The dick is hard! The only time he will think about ya is when his dick is firmly in ya and would want to prolong the sex act. Just to help ya. Because ya a boring regular pussie, he wont come that fast. When finally ya come screaming, he again fantasize havin sex with the other gal, even if it is the housegirl and pronto! he comes too. The game is over and ya are happy, and it is mainly courtesy of the other chick he bonked the other day. But nobody is gonna tell ya what ingredients went into the love making that just took ya to cloud nine.

I know somebody has told ya before why ya should not mind ya boy watching porn movies. The reason is related to this but connecting with a real past sex act is more effective.

Now ya know.The benefits that accrues to ya sex life outta the other girl sharing his dick with ya cannot be gainsaid! So, next time ya catch him playing, note that is for the benefit of ya all.

Magerer Langat at Kass FM