Molefi Mika
Molefi Mika
Geographically speaking, the time zones are killing us in so far as the football spectacle unfolding in South America is concerned.
Barcelona's Messi is one of the gems sparkling at this Copa America tournament, where Argentina are mowing opposition after opposition in Venezuela.
No doubt, most people the world over expect Brazil to successfully defend their title when they face bitter rivals Argentina on Sunday.
That being the case, don't count Steve "Kalamazoo" Mokone among those fans.
Mokone, who lives in New Jersey, United States, is among those who are favoured by the time zone to watch the matches, unlike us in South Africa where we have to wake up around 2am to watch TV. The kick-off for Sunday's final will, however, be "earlier" - at 11pm as compared to previous matches in the tournament.
Says our yesteryear football maestro about this tournament:
"Mika, I just had to write and tell someone. I just saw a display of soccer I never thought I would see again as long as I lived.
"The last great game I saw was Pele's 1970 World Cup side. The current Argentina team towers head and shoulders above every national XI I have seen this year.
"I cannot see any team stopping them. They tower over Brazil. They have phenomenal skill, unbelievable speed, attack in droves and defend in droves.
"They are phenomenal in the air, excellent in movement off the ball, moving into open spaces, passing the ball to six, seven, eight and even to nine players without the opposition even getting close to knowing where the ball was. I stood alone in front of my television cheering Argentina.
"Messi, of Barcelona fame, with Juan Roman Riquelme, Carlos Tevez, who is on his way to Manchester United, Xavier Zanetti, their captain, Esteban Cambiasso, Fernando Gago, of Real Madrid fame, Hernan Crespo of Inter Milan fame, Juan Sebastian Veron, who played for Man United and Chelsea are just in unbelievable form.
"I saw them tear Chile apart this afternoon. Two days ago I saw them toy with Peru and a few nights ago, they destroyed Bolivia. Brazil are the worst team in the current South American competition.
"Brazil are not in the same class as the current Argentina side and I cannot see any national XI stop Argentina, and if the same side goes to the World Cup in 2010, they will walk away with the title. Argentina make the game of football look beautiful. "I am so excited, I just had to tell someone who I thought would appreciate the sentiment. Argentina have depth. What a luxury a coach has in terms of selecting his XI."
Mark you, this communique arrived before Argentina and Brazil played their semifinal matches. Well, my heart says "it must be Brazil", even though my head goes along with Dr Mokone's assessment.
Mokone backs slick Argentina
Molefi Mika
Molefi Mika
Geographically speaking, the time zones are killing us in so far as the football spectacle unfolding in South America is concerned.
Barcelona's Messi is one of the gems sparkling at this Copa America tournament, where Argentina are mowing opposition after opposition in Venezuela.
No doubt, most people the world over expect Brazil to successfully defend their title when they face bitter rivals Argentina on Sunday.
That being the case, don't count Steve "Kalamazoo" Mokone among those fans.
Mokone, who lives in New Jersey, United States, is among those who are favoured by the time zone to watch the matches, unlike us in South Africa where we have to wake up around 2am to watch TV. The kick-off for Sunday's final will, however, be "earlier" - at 11pm as compared to previous matches in the tournament.
Says our yesteryear football maestro about this tournament:
"Mika, I just had to write and tell someone. I just saw a display of soccer I never thought I would see again as long as I lived.
"The last great game I saw was Pele's 1970 World Cup side. The current Argentina team towers head and shoulders above every national XI I have seen this year.
"I cannot see any team stopping them. They tower over Brazil. They have phenomenal skill, unbelievable speed, attack in droves and defend in droves.
"They are phenomenal in the air, excellent in movement off the ball, moving into open spaces, passing the ball to six, seven, eight and even to nine players without the opposition even getting close to knowing where the ball was. I stood alone in front of my television cheering Argentina.
"Messi, of Barcelona fame, with Juan Roman Riquelme, Carlos Tevez, who is on his way to Manchester United, Xavier Zanetti, their captain, Esteban Cambiasso, Fernando Gago, of Real Madrid fame, Hernan Crespo of Inter Milan fame, Juan Sebastian Veron, who played for Man United and Chelsea are just in unbelievable form.
"I saw them tear Chile apart this afternoon. Two days ago I saw them toy with Peru and a few nights ago, they destroyed Bolivia. Brazil are the worst team in the current South American competition.
"Brazil are not in the same class as the current Argentina side and I cannot see any national XI stop Argentina, and if the same side goes to the World Cup in 2010, they will walk away with the title. Argentina make the game of football look beautiful. "I am so excited, I just had to tell someone who I thought would appreciate the sentiment. Argentina have depth. What a luxury a coach has in terms of selecting his XI."
Mark you, this communique arrived before Argentina and Brazil played their semifinal matches. Well, my heart says "it must be Brazil", even though my head goes along with Dr Mokone's assessment.
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