An Epic Match for the Ages

An Epic Match for the Ages

So this is about a month (and a half!) late, but I wanted to describe a soccer match between Miryante and the nearest trading center (aka nearest town, Kakabara.) As you are reading this, imagine yourself listening to a British sportscaster reading this out loud! I hope you enjoy!

Soccer is, like it or not, the world’s sport. It is multigenerational, multilingual, and brings us together like nothing else. There have been many matches played on many pitches throughout the world over the past century, but few have had as much riding on it as a match played on 17 Oct 2015. It truly was a match for the ages as the underdog team from Miryante Orphans Home played a much more experienced, tested team from Kakabara. The match promised all of the fittings of a good match: interesting stories of players, a large pitch, and the inspirational story of the orphans who truly wanted a win. It is a wonderful story.

It was a perfect day for football that day. The big concern was the recent rains would have made the pitch a muddy mess, but thankfully the football gods bestowed perfect weather, and a dry field for play. This is hollowed ground for the Miryante side, as it is the place where many of the children have played over the years. (Side note, the pitch is riddled with rocks, sticks, and mounds of animal dung, has many undulations, and patches of grass and dirt that would make any American or European team cringe at the site of it; but is home turf for the Ugandans.)

A view of the pitch (aka soccer field)

Leave it to me to sit with the one with more attitude then me!

Laura and her kids, excited about the match!

The drums are out, and the kids from Miryante are ready to cheer on their team!

A view of the match from behind the kitchen...

At the end of the game, despite the loss, even this one was still smiling...

A celebratory beverage after the game for the Miryante side!

The rival team from Kakabara slowly arrived via one car, mostly bicycles and motos. They slowly assembled under a large tree on the opposite side of the pitch. They looked menacing, larger, older, and more experienced than the Miryante team.

But the Miryante side scored a coup earlier in the day, as they had convinced a key member of the Kakabara team to join them: Adolf, the starting goalie for Kakabara, decided that his talents for that day would be best served for Miryante (Yes, that Adolf, Laura’s friend for many years!). The children and Miryante fans were ecstatic, and saw their chances of winning increase against the Goliath that was Kakabara.

As the 4 pm match time approached, the bell was stuck, and all work at Miryante stopped. The entire orphanage came to the pitch to watch the epic battle. Even the mzungus (Laura, Gordon, and I) were excited about the match. A large cheering section gathered behind the Miryante goal, drums and dancers routing for their fellows. It was quite the sight for this reporter. To lend a hand, I led the Miryante team in warm-ups, much to the chagrin of Laura. Shortly after 4 pm, the referee blew the whistle, and the match commenced.

The first half was a flurry of back and forth action between both sides. The more experienced Kakabara side controlled the ball the majority of the half, with at least 4 shots on goal. However, the smaller Miryante team had their work cut out for them as they tried to control Kakabara. They struggled offensively, and only managed 2 errant shots on goal. By halftime, both sides were tired, with the Miryante group more so than the team from Kakabara.

I am not sure what was said by the Miryante manager, but the start of the 2nd half showed a resurgent Miryante group. They attacked the ball on defense, and showed more offensive power. It appeared that they had the momentum in the 2nd half, until a well timed pass by Kakabara led to a goal. You could feel the breath being kicked out of the Miryante faithful. However, they were undettered. They continued to attack, and held off the Kakabara group nicely. And then, it happened: A beautiful pass by one of the caretakers to a student from the technical school, and a perfect right footer into the upper left corner of the goal. The entire village went crazy, and bedlam ensued:



After a few minutes, play resumed. The Miryante faithful really thought they could pull it off. However, the Kakabara side proved too much for the defense, and scored a goal a few minutes later, briefly crushing the spirits of the Miryante team and fans. Undeterred, they continued to press on, fighting with everything they had to find an equalizer. However, in the end, the team from Kakabara proved too strong: the referee blew the whistle about 15 min later, ending this storied match at 2-1.

The fans were sad, but happy their team fought so valiantly for this one. They knew deep in their hearts that they would have another chance soon enough. For this observer, it truly was a match from the heart, and one that he will never forget.

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Ok, so a little tongue-in-cheek. But a cool event to see. I loved the drummers, signing, and dancing. I am really glad I was able to be a part of it.