Oh no! Drog!

In the early 1980s, my late mother bought a video set while studying in Birmingham. And when she sent it over, my siblings and I were so excited that most of the time after school, we were glued to the screen watching the then blockbuster movies such as Rambo and Operation Thunderbolt.

After watching the films, my two young brothers and I would stage our own movies around the yard, imitating what we had watched. Being the older fella, I would be the main actor. I would be ‘Rambo’ or the famous Israeli soldier who died in the line of duty called Yoni. So, as expected when I was shot at, I would not ‘die’ because I argued that ‘mwini filimu samafa!’

My papa was then a Manchester United fan having started following the team’s exploits in the ‘Swinging 60s’ when a stylish, handsome and ludicrously talented Northern Irish winger called George Best, cheered the spirits of soccer fans around the globe.

So, because my dad brought home many Man U video cassettes, my siblings and I also supported the Red Devils.

My passion for Man U grew when David Beckham’s brand was at its peak, when his star was at its brightest that I became so obsessed with him. I liked Becks so much that when he unceremoniously left Man U in 2003, I no longer had the drive to continue supporting the Red Devils.

In the same year, my better-half Janet, whom I fondly called ‘JJ’ and with whom I have a daughter Tako, passed on. Janet had been a fan of Chelsea long before they became a dominant force. We would scorn at each other whenever either of our teams lost. Such was the beauty of the rivarly that at times it would extend to the bedroom.

And in honour of ‘JJ’, I switched to Chelsea. And when Didier Drogba joined the Blues the following year, my love for Chelsea swelled.

Apart from ‘JJ’, Drog has been the reason I stuck to the Blues all this long. And that is why I could not help, but shed a tear when he announced last week that he would be ending his romance at Stamford Bridge.

Drog did it all for the Blues, and the end could not have been any better than winning the Champions League. Boy! oh boy! But I guess there always comes a time for everything to end and much as it pains, I have to accept that the big African forward who thrilled my world for the past eight years has to move on.

What else can I say other than quote part of my long time favourite song by the late Whitney Houston—I will always love you!.…. “If I should stay, I would only be in your way. So, I’ll go, but I know I’ll think of you every step of the way. And I…will alwayssss love you!”…Oohh no Drog!