Football crazy, football mad

We’ve mentioned before that the lawn right outside our window is frequently used as a rehearsal space, chiefly by the choir. The downside is that it is used even more regularly as an inpromptu football pitch, every night after dinner, and as such it is far louder than the choir. Not exactly two jumpers for goalposts, as the goals are a single dustbin at each end, which does make for an interesting variety of tactics.

Football is also played every break in the playground by the learners, as well as, just down the road on a scrappy piece of wasteland, local youngsters. In both venues the players exhibit a good deal of skill, and here (and no doubt there) many have the ambition of playing professionally; the chances are, of course, virtually zero.

Naturally, with the globalisation of the beautiful game, most people here have two teams: one South African, one Manchester United. I regularly try to suggest that there are alternatives, and have many conversations about the merits of other teams… well, one other team. I also possess a Kaiser Chiefs shirt, which provokes much excitement, but just a hint of disappointment when I confess that my interest is more in the rock band of that name than the team.