Horn and be haunted!

Felipe is one of the few taxi drivers who speak passable English and has been very helpful since I arrived Brazil, a country so dear to my heart and many others because of their football culture and heroes they have produced. I’ve had bitter experiences in the hands of coy drivers that I tried their fast trains. But my first experience was not palatable. It was on the day that Brazil played Croatia.

It was an exceptional day as thousands stormed into the train. It was like boarding the only existing train in Lagos, from Iju to Lagos with people perching on top of the roof. Not exactly the Lagos experience but the crowd was much. Together with Adekunle Salami, we ran into Felipe on our way back to our luxury hotel, Santana Gold, Felipe maneuvered the traffic and we paid the least amount since boarding taxis. I collected his card and we became friends.

The other day I was fiddling with his steering when my hand pressed on the horn and I saw a different person I called a friend. ‘’Why? You horn, Police haunt”, he blurted out. I exchanged glances with Salami and pressed him further. He explained that they hardly use their horns except in rare cases.

‘’No noise. You drive patient and use brain”, he said in his smattering English. And truly, since I arrived here, I’ve not heard any horn despite the crowded streets. Traffic lights remain the controller of movements. Its unlike in Nigeria where motorists blare their horns on traffic lights to force the red to turn to green.

Standing trade booms

When it comes to money, enough is never enough. Because if not for money, why would one risk her life standing in a very cold weather?  Those of us inside dressed like Eskimos are still shaking like epileptic patients while others dare the weather to look for money outside. It’s a common sight to see beautiful girls hang out in the night for pleasure associated with nocturnal groove.

Night time used to be the best in Lagos, Warri, PH, Enugu, Calabar etc. But not again. We know the reasons. Not that it has stopped completely. Girls must change their wardrobes and buy the latest handbags, shoes and the latest phones. Others claim they use the money to cater for themselves and at times help their parents to pay school fees. Anyway, it is a global thing. I went out on my endless adventure to see Brazilian women hustling.

This standing trade booms. Old and young. It remains the only trade that is not affected by language barrier. ‘’Dollar, Reais, Euro, Pounds”, they chatter reminding one of black marketers in Nigeria. And it is expensive. It costs as high as 200 Dollars for all night while half night goes for between $100 or $120 Dollars. The prices vary with the age and beauty of the women. Like my friend will always say, ‘’there is no romance without finance”.

Get ready for cheeky excuses

Before the beginning of the World Cup, there were high hopes of the Super Eagles winning the World Cup. Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo sparked this blind patriotic dream or is it nightmare. Before you knew it, it had gone viral like wild fire. I remember clearly meeting Stephen Keshi at Ibis hotel, off International Airport road, Lagos. Keshi asked me if those who win the World Cup have two heads. Just after one match against Iran, I asked him how far?

He looked up and started stammering. ‘’You saw what Holland did to defending Champions Spain.  Did you see Germany humiliate Portugal and Chile beat Spain and Uruguay beat England bla-bla-bla. Laughter!

The elders say that the manner a man borrows money is different when he is reminded to pay back. We should prepare for excuses. And to excuse yourself is to accuse yourself. With all the uprising in the Eagles camp, riddled with player’s friction, the NFF watching the drama from afar, we are heading for buck-passing and more excuses. Remember, when we get frightened, we look for scapegoats.

Tears for the nation, not for the dead

Ivory Coast midfielder Serey Die said he broke down in tears on Thursday over the emotion of representing his country at a World Cup

Die was crying as the anthems was being played before they faced Colombia in Brasilia, with rumours circulating that his father had died before the match. His father actually died in 2004. Cote d’Ivoire lost the Group C match, 2-1.

The public outpouring continued after his mistake led to Colombia’s second goal, Die caught in possession by James Rodriguez as Juan Quintero ran clear to put the South Americans 2-0 up in the 70th minute.

A sombre Die, who was replaced three minutes later as Gervinho pulled back what proved to be a consolation goal, said the emotion of the occasion got to him.

“I was going to play for my country,” he said when asked about the tears. “(But) it’s true that I thought about my father, who died in 2004,” he added.

Colombia’s injured forward Radamel Falcao appeared to be one of those to make the mistake of thinking Die’s father had passed away just before kick-off.

“A big hug for Serey Die today he was a great example for all of us who love this sport,” the striker posted on his Twitter account.