Fussball, futebol, football!

The same name for the World Game.

Football is a powerful and wonderful ambassador connecting various people of various origins, various genders, and various ages into one exciting playground of blood, sweat, tears, joy, and laughter that combines friendships for life. All you need is a ball, ‘something’ to make up two posts on either side of the field, and a bunch of kickers. So much fun. I used to play football all around the world for exactly those reasons, up until my last knee operation in 2006.

I stayed at CCAP again, a religious foundation established in various locations across Malawi. Some of the staff even remembered me, or at least Zimba.

Nothing much had changed here either, everything looked the same as it did before. The grassy area on the western side of the main building was a perfect spot to set up camp. I parked Zimba out of the sun under the mango tree, recent days have been sweltering hot.

It wasn’t long before I was approached by various tour guides asking me to be guided up the trails. Locals came with handcrafted art in the form of paintings or wood carvings, I only had just arrived. Even the local kids surrounded me asking for money and food. Times are tough. Covid made life even harder as fewer tourists seem to travel in remote areas, all across Africa. It got to the point that I hid my food away from staring eyes, even though just chewing on a banana or a carrot.

A Christian Organization named ‘Multiply School’ had already been staying here for a week before my arrival, it was a lively event.

‘They are sleeping in the bushes tonight without anything else than the clothes they are wearing. No phones, no matches, no lights. No nothing’ Idah explained. ‘They won’t be happy by tomorrow.’

‘No kidding.’ I said. Some Christian boot camp this is.

Idah is part of a young group of people, that coaches an even younger group, on what it takes to be physically and mentally fit and strong in today’s daily battles, to be successful and acquire a ‘never give up’ attitude that this country urgently needs. To become a leader teaching and inspiring other young people. A leader by example based on mental and physical strength, common sense, knowledge and wisdom, acceptance to life’s ups and downs and how to make the most of each situation, all within the name of the almighty. Phew, what a sentence. It takes a courageous team to inspire.

All this new information and transmission is then in transition to the local areas where these youngsters came from. There, they share their knowledge with local youngsters around them and ‘Multiply Excellence’.

Hopefully they will be inspired to keep this snowball rolling.

It was a new concept for many having a Mzungu mixed within their environment. Staring eyes followed me all around at first. That’s okay, something the two of us are used to. It didn’t take long to break the ice and within a few days, my coming and going was just as normal as the group’s exercises and classroom sessions. It was an unusual spectacle to see them carrying oversized crosses up and down the mountain, singing and running at the same time. It’s a physical and religious exercise combined, dedication and motivation couldn’t be faulted by anyone. Evening singing classes often gave me the chills sitting with Zimba under the stars whilst the moon was rising bigger each night. Spiritual alignment.

We needed to align this group with the Likabulu community. Both know about each other but are hardly affiliated with one another. We needed to include the whole community as much as possible, including kids and women.

We needed an afternoon just for fun and to forget about life’s struggles. We needed a good game of football.

My emphasis was the inclusion of kids to remind them, that they aren’t forgotten. Their parents are just trying to make ends meet.

We selected a Thursday afternoon, the final day before all visitors moved on to their home destination. The Likabulu football grounds were too small for this event. A bigger space was needed than originally anticipated. It was fabulous to see such a big outcome under the dome of the Mulanje Mountains.

A French family with their 3 teenagers followed my call and joined in the fun. An event like this doesn’t come around often and is not to be missed, in my opinion.

Idah and her team did extremely well to entertain kids of all ages.

The Wiggles in Action in Africa was fabulous.

The circle is a strong formation held together in unity. That was my goal for the afternoon.

The kids chased each other, one another, and from another.

Laughter and joy joined the ranks.

All warmed up, the kids were ready to play. Shirts versus Topless.

It was an entertaining game from what I saw through the lenses.

Even Rick made an appearance, captivating scenes from above.

I was kept busy throughout the afternoon, capturing the excitement and fun with one of my three cameras.

The local drummers offered a real-life stadium atmosphere,

beating empty canisters as hard as they could.

Singing and dancing followed naturally.

The center stage performance and highlight for most was the senior football game between ‘Likabulu Guides’ versus ‘Malawi Multiply Excellence’.

‘Excellent Smithers’.

Both teams talked themselves up days before, who is going to win the trophy?

Everyone here at the showgrounds is a winner as far as I am concerned.

Aiiish, that was close. Halftime saw a change of tactics.

Play low, score high. He he, that’s what my friend and youth coach ‘Püppy’ always used to say. Good ol’ days.

It was an entertaining game from what I saw, which wasn’t much.

I was told that the home advantage gave the locals the edge over the visitors.

It was a win-win situation after all.

The circle of respect reminded and praised each player for effort after the game with songs and prayers.

The drummer left the show, time to go home.

This afternoon couldn’t have turned out any better.

To capture the communal spirit and atmosphere was my goal and I scored a few times.

The photos will give you a good idea about this afternoon.

But the videos will transpire this electric ambiance more realistically. If I ever get to produce it.

It was an emotional farewell the very next morning. Steve had given me the nicest compliment I had heard for a long time.

Idah and her young group will disperse all over Malawi over the coming weekend. New friendships were made, bonds established, lessons learned and respect given and received. Simply excellence multiplied. It’s been a pleasure sharing our temporary home together. I wish all the very best for the future. They couldn’t ask for a better start.

I bumped into the French family just as well, as they prepared for a hike up into the mountains. They are making an effort to explore, to show their kids different cultures from an early age, and to enjoy life as it evolves.

And then there is Nenani and his family.

Wesley un-, or fortunately, was guiding up the Mulanje Mountains.

I am fully convinced that they will give this community a better start for the future.

Until next time.

A few weeks onwards when i received this email from Nenani.

Ben United!?

Haven’t Ben there before but united we stand.

Zikomo