“What a great achievement for Africa” said the Supersport anchor, moments after Ghana beat the USA in their Rustenburg rumble. “Yes,” the e-mailing masses concurred with the sentiment, “What a great day for Africa.”

Why? What has “Africa” got to do with the achievement of the Ghanaian players? Did we all somehow contribute to their training camps? Did we offer the team technical assistance in some way? Did the coach and his support staff ask for our input on strategy and was our advice taken to heart?

Of course not – so what’s this nonsense about?

You can bet bottom dollar, rand, pula or euro that should Spain go all the way and take the cup there will no “what a great achievement for Europe” headlines hogging the front pages. Brazil will not thank its South American neighbours should it hold that trophy aloft on 11 July. Japan will not bow in appreciation for Asia if a miracle occurs.

Yes it’s nice that an African country is doing well in the tournament. Yes of course we support the fact, but sharing in their glory is a bit like claiming you had something to do with your neighbour’s wife getting pregnant. Hopefully you have behaved yourself and have you as little to do with the impending little one as flying storks or Fanie, an impotent accountant from Pretoria.

“Congratulations” is what you will say to the excited soul next door.  Not “we sure did a great job partner”. Yes?

Is Africa’s inferiority complex so large that we need to celebrate in unison the excellence of one country’s progress?  It’s not the first time I’ve seen this. Time and again we get on the bandwagon of when whatever person, from whichever country, performs at world class level … then we hail it a “victory” for the continent.

Of course there will now be a chorus of creatures that will accuse me of moaning – which I am not. But I do think we need to allow the successful to celebrate their achievements, alone in the world spotlight.
That’s only fair, don’t you agree?

Let us unite in our praise for the team and celebrate with the country. Let us offer our full support and let us cheer them on as they aim to make history, for each other, for the people back home, for their country, Ghana.

The rest of us can claim a great victory when our teams step up to the plate.

That’s just the way it’s supposed to be.

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