May the best candidate win
No FAM elections have received much publicity than the ones taking place today in Mangochi. To crown it all there was also a public debate for the presidential hopefuls so that the public could appreciate the substance they are bringing on the table.
Social media was in overdrive after the debates with hash-tags to team so so. What was more fascinating was the fact that some people made it look like the fate of their candidate rested on more hashtags on social media. But the truth is there are only 36 voters and it is up to them not hash-tags to decide the fate of the candidates.
I hope the voting will be clean because the campaign was not. Some candidates were involved in character assassination and mudslinging. One thing that came out clearly is that, like the political terrain, most people do not understand the football horizon we are operating in; hence, emotional outbursts were the order of the day.
Now to the English Premier League, there is unfair criticism being directed at Van Gaal due to failure to qualify into the Champions League last 32. Champions League is not a better yardstick for team that in the process of gelling. Fourth position in the EPL and just three points from the top position is not too bad. The sad part is joining Europa because playing on Thursday can be a negative distraction.
But we have to be careful with Bournemouth because they beat Chelsea in very shocking circumstances last week.
It was not only Chelsea who lost last week as Liverpool were stunned by Newcastle while Man City were humbled by Stock City. The loss meant City lost first position to Leicester City and start the weekend on third position with 29 points. City will hope their CL win has brought back confidence to win against struggling Swansea City today.
Chelsea are not playing until Monday but it is a difficult match because they are visiting the Kings Power Stadium to face league leaders Leicester City. The match is significant in that Claudio Ranieri once coached Chelsea and he was sacked to pave the way for Mourinho.
In Ranieri, Chelsea fans will remember a man who once coached the team (when most plastic fans had not yet started supporting the team) to play good football. It is not by fluke Leicester City are where they are. It reflects the maturity of the Tinkerman having coached at various clubs.
Chelsea may have qualified in the Champions League last 32, but I fear for them as Leicester City are just too good this season.
Congratulations Arsenal fans for the manner in which you won the Champions League game midweek. Even the hardcore of fans like Atate Manja did not expect that they will score three past Olympiakos. But it’s time to put the domestic campaign on track.
As for me, my mind will be on the continent to see how Chicharito will set Bayer Leverkusen alight again ( Isn’t he scoring goals for fun now? ) and how at the Mestalla in Spain, Valencia will espouse the Garry Neville factor in La Liga. n
