Football Africa: We’re pitchside with Geoff Shreeves in Gonder...........

Ethiopia. Amazing country. At times it couldn’t seem further away from those images we saw in ’85 or in the bits we kind of want to fast forward during Comic Relief whilst we wait for the comedy and/or Lenny Henry.

We had come to Gonder to meet ‘Link Ethiopia’, a charity that does great work in helping Ethiopian Schools by linking them with UK based schools. Charlottes school is considering such a link and I would urge you to get schools you know to think about it too. For £350 a year, the schools will gain a mutually beneficial link and the UK schools will be able to help support an Ethiopian school in dire need. Bob Geldof bit over.

Whilst in Gonder we met a young man called ‘Million’. He was a truly great chap, who helped us with a multitude of things, not least getting us our second competitive game of football. 11-a-side. At 2500 metres. Against Gonder University. The current champions. Unbeaten in 23 games.

Yep, my arse went a bit too.

We lined up requiring some players, who Million was able to cajole into playing with us. I think they were other students. Frankly, I haven’t a clue. My Aramaic only rivalled their English.

So, we could not communicate with these players. We didn’t know ‘pass’ or ‘shoot’ , we didn’t know names and we couldn’t say numbers. The team talk was going to be a doddle. Especially as we decided on 3-5-2 formation. You may query the decision to use a less obvious formation but there was a massive reluctance for anyone to play at the back. This was to become a feature of the performance.

I have to say that the next bit was particularly Ace. The ground had a tunnel. Which we got to run out of. I closed my eyes and for a second it was Old Trafford, or Wembley, as we ran through it there was better news for the goosebumps. The grandstand was full. About 700 odd students were there and we were treated to a rousing reception. I was Glenn Hoddle, I was Bryan Robson, I was Roy Keane. Sadly for FA XI this was very much in my head. My body, as ever, failed to fall into line.

We started with vim and vigour. We had recruited a French goalie ‘David’ and he seemed solid enough. Fans of FootballAfrica will remember Welshman Neil who stayed in the starting lineup. I filled in on the left side of the back 3. Ed remained in midfield, and Andy led the line, up front with a player the local lads called ‘Shearer’. More on that lesson in irony later.

We conceded first but thankfully not early. A darting little near post run and a scuffed fiish past our keeper. I saw the boy go, but he’s 20, I’m 31. The idea that there was even a contest belittles ‘contests’. But we rallied. We got our defence into shape and whilst we never got going as a team, we were treading water, and eventually creating chances. A few corners, a header well saved, then a crafted cross shot from the right with the left foot from our number 10. 1-1. Keeper no chance. We would hold this lead until half time. Speaking was hard. No breath at altitude and it as bloody hot too.

We wanted to sub ‘Shearer’ off but it was made clear to us that that wasn’t going to happen. Awkward. We went into the second half unchanged. Only minutes in ‘Shearer’ turned, his second touch as ever was a header, then as the ball bounced awkwardly, and from about 35 yards out on the angle, he felt a shot was appropriate. This skewed some 30 foot into the air.

As I watched this ridiculous piece of decision making, open mouthed, I noticed Andy shuffling around by the goalie. Was the ball going to drop in play?! 2-1 to FootballAfrica! A good striker always follows up and Andy put away a tricky volley.

Now I’d love to end the story right there. Victory against the top University team in the country, a home crowd respectfully risen to it’s feet, a slow handclap that turns to tumultuous applause and the approval of the Ethiopian president. Basically the end of Rocky 4. Sadly this wasn’t the case.

The university team, a little/lot wounded fought back. Subs were made. A few of our lads decided that, basically, defending simply wasn’t for them and the Gonder team struck back. We held 2-2 for a while and then succumbed. Myself and Neil, with poor David, found ourselves very much alone at times as 6 or 7 of the Gonder team steamed forward.

They rolled out 5-2 victors in the end, but we are rightly proud of our efforts. We led one of the best young teams in Ethiopia and though tiredness and talent eventually told, we earned our sleep that night. Everyone shook hands and the atmosphere was amazing. Also a massive thanks to our sponsors at Bicester Roofing Co Ltd. Suffice to say our use of the old Bicester town kit was brilliantly baffling to the Ethiopian students.