And yet another comes to an end

After setting off to Cape town Stadium to watch Ajax Cape Town face Manchester United, in the blistering cold, the Football Gods must have watched over us.  The game was played in mostly sunny but still cold conditions, and when the rain did show it’s ugly head, it was for brief moments.  The game was played at a great pace, with United fielding as many as 5 youngsters.  Ajax came to the party when they bought on Alcardo van Graan(a friend), and he showed why I rate him so highly.  A deft touch secured Ajax the lead but United held on and scored in the second minute of injury time through Bebe.  This game was a great advocate for Football on the Continent and I now know that if they don’t want the wonderful stadium of Cape town to become a white elephant, they are to make a move for Super Rugby Franchise the Stormers to make this their new permanent home.
At first I was opposed to this move.  The sheer aura and history of Newlands is undeniable, but the convenience at which you can watch the game between the two stadiums is undeniable.  Even when I will be welcoming my Sharks team to Cape Town next week, a trip to Cape Town Stadium would have been much better, the facilities is world class and with a bigger capacity then Newlands, this would surely mean more revenue.  The only stumbling block from what I could gather is the amount of hospitality suites available at the stadium.

Only time will tell how this will pan out.  For now I am basking in glory because not only were I in attendance when a friend of mine scored what is his career making goal and surely putting him on the map in SA Soccer, but I got to once again see my favorite Football team grace our shores.  It is still a long pre season but the signs were encouraging.  And it was worth forking out R350 to sit in the cold and watch a sport that unites so many people from all genders, all races and all corners of the world.  This will be a long week, but Saturday can come, because I would love to see the Sharks in action for the third time this year, and hope that their exploits overseas has laid the foundation for many more…
Till later

In the UK, it is nothing to come out in support of your team in Icy cold conditions.  In Cape Town, for a Coloured it’s a different story.  When the dates were confirmed for Manchester United to tour South Africa, it was welcomed by the media.  The 19 times Premier League Champions has a massive following in Africa, and this is not the first time they have graced our shores in the Pre Season.

The Weather in Cape Town is freezing.  And Cape Town Stadium, one of the new stadiums built for Soccer 2010 World Cup is waiting.  Against the ever present Table Mountain, the Stadium is one of the most beautiful in the world, and is just another place this blogger will visit later today.  My ultimate goal, as the years pass, is to visit various Stadia around the Globe. 

Old Trafford-Home of Manchester United and my favourite team in the world whom I have supported for more then 2 decades.  Stadium Dragoa-Home of FC Porto and one of the most beautiful in the world.  Santiago Bernabua-Home of Real Madrid and a must see if you in Spain and Allianz Arena-Home of Bayern Munich and the German National Side.

The point I am making is simple.  Cape Town Stadium is one of the most beautiful in the world.  Along with others built for the 2010 World Cup, they are not properly utilized.  Recent developments in the media suggest that the Stormers use this ground as their new home ground, something the fans are not too crazy about.  Only time will tell how this will pan out, but for now, and for today, this is the ground that Manchester United, the world’s most well known brand will be strutting their stuff.

And then there were 6

 

With the knock outs of the Super 15 fast approaching by the hour….

 

Many have written off the Bulls. Can you blame them? The Crusaders is this competition’s best team in the knockouts having won 18/24. They have also never lost a knock out at home, which has become some what of a fortress before it was destroyed in a Earthquake last year. Nonetheless, they are dangerous and even when their campaign was going pear shaped, they kept focus and got down to it.

 

The “self made” cheats of rugby will be tackling the Bulls, three time champions. Their form ain’t something to write home about, and it seems to me that because their former coach Heyneke Meyer has something to do with a moerse dip in form….they think they won’t be dropped….ppfffttt.

 

Bulls to try valiantly but the Saders to win by atleast 9.

 

The Sharks travel to Brisbane and will be looking to defeat the Defending Champions. The Reds come into this game winning their last 6 but without talisman Quade Cooper who is missing due to suspension.

 

The Sharks travelled without Pat Lambie and Frans Steyn but are well stocked, with the team destroying the Bulls and Cheetahs. They will rely heavily on their experienced scrum who has been one of the best. They will rely on the big ball carrying of Willem Alberts and Bismarck Du Plessis as well as the tenacious defence of Marcell Coetzee. This will be a huge game for the boys from Durban and South Africans will want them to come through to face the Stormers next weekend.

 

Play every game like a final boys!!

Sharks Groete!

 

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