Golden generation turned old generation in just 90 minutes

By Alex Kiprotich

If there is anything that sapped the Britons reserve energy sending them into depression this week, it is the experience they suffered at the feet of Germany footballers in the ongoing World Cup.

For the Germans though, the hounding of England team out of the tournament was a sweet revenge, coming 44 years after the English team, in the 1966, humiliated them to claim the World Cup trophy. It also brought up memories of the First World War.

A survey done during the England-Germany clash showed that stress levels rose across the country as English fans recorded quickened pulse rates and many more bit their nails as their eyes were glued to TV sets. A quarter of British men, it was further revealed, felt that watching its national team play is more stressful than moving house while 15 per cent said it was even more stressful than getting married.

With the response from the British fans and media, Kenya would offer our colonial masters lessons on how to manage loses.

When it comes to football, we have lost all the time, and there is no time the country gets depressed. People just move on, and live to fight another day.

Watching the game in a British pub, where the fans had assembled to cheer their heroes, was comical. They have a unique way of cheering their teams, just like we have our peculiar calling habits.

They also have a strong belief they can reverse any situation no matter how grave it is. In the extra two minutes and being four goals to one, there was still hope that three goals in quick succession were possible to extend the match to extra time.

But it is the cheering that is queer – British cheering style is all about cursing and swearing when a player makes a mistake. There is no room for niceties. And when it was evident that the team was going to lose, desperation set in.

Most fans wearing the three lion’s t-shirts tore them as they turned their despondency to the players, accusing them of betraying the country by losing to the old enemy. Those who had carried the St George flag turned their fury on it painting the red across white to symbolise surrender, while thanking God it was not a repeat of the First World War.

In just 90 minutes, the countries heroes had turned foes, and source of shame, attracting all manner of ridicule, including the joke that it was now doubtful if the team could even beat German girls if they were to play in the World Cup.

Since then, being a Capello, Rooney, Lampard, Terry or Cole attracts all manner of platitudes from the public so proud of their land that they won’t forgive those disgracing her. And when the squad landed at Heathrow Airport, they had to be whisked to the VIP section not to come into contact with the media and angry public.

The poor lads now cannot even move freely because of the angry public. Perhaps Kenya Tourism Board should take advantage of the hostility to market our beautiful country where the players can relax until things calm down. The multi-millionaires might just adapt our wild animals. With the developments here, if I were a Harambee Stars player, I would be proud of my country and Kenyans in general.

For all the embarrassment and ridicule the national team has exposed Kenyans to by perpetually losing, even to Somalia, they can still walk tall in the streets, without suffering the indignity of being branded a team so weak at the back they struggle to keep their pants safe.

That is what the English team was labelled when after, they lost the game, it was reported, their belongings, including briefs were stolen in their hotel.