Johnny Menyongar, Melvin Tarley & Two-Boys Gumede Share What the World Cup in Africa Means to Them
As the opening games of the 2010 FIFA World Cup were approaching, I thought I would speak to some players of the NSC Minnesota Stars about the games. But the players I spoke to have a bigger stake in this World Cup than most of us. For the first time ever, the World Cup is being played on the continent of Africa. The players I spoke with all share the fact that they are all from Africa. Two-Boys Gumede (South Africa), Johnny Menyongar (Liberia), and Melvin Tarley (Liberia) took time to reflect on what these games mean to them and the people of Africa. They also share with us what they want the world to know about their country and their people.
Melvin Tarley tells us how he felt when he heard the games were coming to South Africa.
“Oh, I was excited you know. We’d been wishing for the World Cup to come to Africa for a long time and when we heard that it was going to South Africa, it was almost like a dream come true for Africans. (IMS: And you come from Liberia, what did the people back home have to say? How did they feel about it?) “Oh ya, people were excited. Most people think that this time when it goes to Africa it’s not coming back you know. They think the World Cup is going to stay there so they are very excited.”
Johnny Menyongar: “It gave me more hope in life that anything is possible because I’d never dreamed that the World Cup is going to go to Africa. So I know now we can host more than two or three World Cups. And going to South Africa means a lot of good things for the continent and a lot of good things for soccer. So I know the Wold Cup is always going to go back to Africa.”
Melvin Tarley tells us what he thinks we will see over the next month in South Africa.
“Oh, I think it’s going to show the true colors of Africa because people don’t understand Africa. Other people have got a different thinking about Africa or where the countries are or where the cities are. This time people are going to see South Africa like a similar thing like the US or Europe. So you know, this is going to give a different picture of Africa.”
Two-Boy Gumede is from South Africa. He explains what he remembers about apartheid.
“I remember growing up I didn’t really understand what was going on. But from what I was seeing it was very difficult especially for the blacks to be playing with the whites in the same environment. That was the toughest thing to do. But for us, it didn’t really matter because we saw each other as colors which doesn’t mean anything. In the end we’re all the same. I mean, its just a color. So, it didn’t matter, but not everybody saw it that way. But that didn’t push us back from like hating on people who hate.”
Johnny Menyongar explains what he wants the world to know about Africa.
“The people in Africa are very nice people. It’s not everything you see on TV and newspapers what is happening in Africa. But the World is going to stand still when the World Cup starts. People are going to see how different and how joyful it is when you are in Africa, especially when you are playing soccer in Africa.”
Johnny Menyongar made 38 appearances for the Liberian National Team and he tells us how he felt the first time he wore his country’s colors. He also explains how close he and his teammates were to making it to the World cup in 2002.
“I was so proud because it’s what every soccer player dreams of. To play on the National Team. The first time I wore the uniform I was proud of my family, myself and my country. I played in the qualifying round for Japan in 2002. And we came very close to qualifying for the World Cup. But we were a point short of Nigeria and then Nigeria qualified that year. So it was my closest moment and came down – the whole qualifying round – to the last game. So it was very difficult to watch the World Cup that year.”
Melvin Tarley explains how he will be watching these world Cup games.
“We’ve got a tradition in the Liberian community that every time a big sporting event comes up we get a person that volunteers their house or apartment to watch the games. So like everybody chooses Johnny (Menyongar) house this World Cup and then the European Cup or the African Cup go to my house. We all come together and sit there and have fun. (IMS: Where are you going this year?) Oh, we will be going to a friend called Ansu’s house. He always prepared for this kind of event. He’s got a big TV and has something for people to drink and eat. So we will all be there.”
Two-Boys Gumede and Melvin Tarley tell us who they think will win the World Cup.
Two-Boys Gumede: “I would like to see an African country win the World Cup, but it’s not going to happen any time soon. So as for now I could see Spain going all the way to be honest with you. But I’m just hopping that South Africa can actually make it through their group. That will be a good thing if they should make it through their group and maybe see what happens next. It wouldn’t be good if we the host got eliminated. I mean in the very first round. That would not be good.”
Melvin Tarley: “Ummm, for me I’m going with maybe a team from Africa. You know, which I think might be Ivory Coast. Then my favorite team for all time I wish would win the World Cup is Holland – the Dutch. I like their style of play so I will root for them.”
Comments are closed.