• What’s in a name?
    In the African Cup of Nations, The nicknames are chosen with science, Designed to invoke palpitations, Their names are roared out in defiance. There are elephants, huge and impressive, And eagles, both super and plain. There are crocodiles, quick and aggressive, And antelopes on the terrain. The lions growl their name to the brothers, Preparing […]
  • The language barrier
    Some like which way the penny flips, Some say it’s all baloney, But the latest name on people’s lips Is Signor Trapattoni. While many rush for betting slips, Some think the news is phoney. Giovanni can’t converse, they say. His English is too broken. The Irish players are not au fait With Italian, as it’s […]
  • Super Eagles
    Oh super eagles, still unbowed, You had the population gripped. The tension filtered through the crowd, Uncertain if your halo’d slipped. Your play now dull and nondescript, You perch no longer on a cloud, But though your wings were nearly clipped. With pride you screeched your name aloud.
  • A grave mistake, Didier
    Oh Didier Drogba, what have you done? Did you realise that you were doing it? Could you not help yourself, Notching winners for fun, Though you knew you might well end up ruing it? The Ivory Coast has her place in the sun, Celebration and partying’s rife, But what will you say When the tournament’s […]
  • Superior away form
    The Minister, watching some football in Chad, Decided to show off the skills that he had And clad, not in boots, but in patent hush-puppies, He managed a worthy eighteen keepie-uppies. The locals clapped loudly, all doubtless impressed By this show of great skill eloquently expressed. Back at home, it was played and we all […]