Feature: Why are people so crazy about football?
The "Crazed" Fan
Citizens of the earth who are outside of the football fraternity look on the players of the game and the fans that back them with bewilderment, amazement and more often than not, with a little bit of envy. They ask; how could a grown-up man cry over a loss of a team which does not even know they exist or shares bit of the income when they triumph? Some ponder on whether these fans do not have anything better to do with their time instead of committing emotions, money and everything else to brave the cold winter nights to sit in the stands and shout “You will never walk alone!” in Merseyside, “Ka bo Yellow Masandawana!” in Pretoria or “DeMbare bhora” in neighboring Zimbabwe. Perhaps sharing the way I see the game could go along way in answering some of those questions. So here goes!
We see ourselves in the character of the teams we support
Have you ever wondered why someone would consider themselves die-hard Arsenal fans since 2005 and yet they have never the chance to witness their Gooner heroes lift any major trophy or accolades since then? At times the passion and zeal to commit to a certain team transcend just the obvious reasons of saying for instance, “I like Messi and henceforth I am a Barca fan” or that my favorite color is blue, so I support Zimbabwe’s Dynamos football club. Football clubs all around the world have characters and ‘personalities’ which radiate to the fans of the game. These fans are able to somehow discern these characters and end up subconsciously liking and choosing to support particular teams. It’s like falling in love where at times it goes deeper rather than liking someone for their physical attributes. So yes, its much more than who wins the biggest trophies or attracts the most talented footballers - the connection is engraved deep in the souls of those who love the game and are stewards of it.
Let me make it a bit more concrete. If you take a poll, you will probably realize that Manchester City fans are generally less outspoken than Manchester United fans; Arsenal fans may be more conservative and detail oriented than Chelsea fans who could generally be adventurous while maintaining that the end will always justify the means. The contrasting football philosophies could, for example, help to identify the undertones. Arsenal, more so under Arsene Wenger, cares more about keeping their attractive style of play and can keep a single manager for more than twenty years. On the other hand, most recently, Chelsea tend to have a new manager in every two seasons with different styles of play being employed and it doesn’t really matter if it helps them win trophies (the end justifies the means). Even in different parts of the world, the same construct still applies. The Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates are loved by their faithfuls for their strong culture of community and giving power to the people as is the case in the townships they come from. For some Soweto derbies, fans were given the chance to vote for how their teams would line up. Even the excessive showboating these two teams usually show is never despised irrespective of the match results. Its because the fans also grew up playing Kasi football (almost literally more about dribbling than goals) in the streets whilst listening to loud house music. There were never 4-4-2 tactics, or any mechanical formations to grind results when they played on the streets but just fun and nutmeg contests. Henceforth when they showboat, fans get more than just entertainment but identify themselves with the team. Clubs like England’s Everton have been dubbed a “working class” club showing just how much the love of a team by a fan goes beyond the colors but deep into their core values and lifestyle.
It’s simply fun
Living life on the edge can be thrilling especially if the adverse effects are less deteriorating. For every match that is played, football offers ninety minutes of uncertainty, adrenaline rush, laughter tears and a whole lot more. For every goal woodwork that is rattled, seats are deserted, jaws dropped and the near joy of what could have been, is revered and anticipated. For every goal that is scored, nations are united in celebrations and fans temporarily forget their religion, race, gender or creed and celebrate together as human beings without restrictions.
There are also those who assume the roles of artists on the pitch, picking out teammates intuitively like Mesut Ozil, riding invisible bicycles in scoring wonder goals like Cristiano Ronaldo, nutmegging opponents at will as Messi does and supermaning effortlessly to stop shots as is the case Marc-Andre Ter Stergen. Even the bizarre incidents of the likes of Luis Suarez turning out to be Vampire diaries actors or Asamoah Gyan and his Black Stars teammates switching from professional football to showbiz with funky haircuts and moves like Michael Jackson’s to celebrate goals.
And it is more than a football game
When fans gather to commute for long hours to back their heroes, wear cabbage leaves on their heads to support the green machine, CAPS United of Zimbabwe or obscure themselves by painting their bodies in national colors as West Africans do - it’s more than just supporting a team. It is an opportunity for friends to relax having a couple of drinks and catching up on life, a chance to pause from the stresses of everyday life, the privilege to influence the destiny of a people by cheering on the national team and more often than not, a golden chance to bag bragging rights. Most people really enjoy it when they are right about anything, there is no better way to show your friend that they are wrong other than having your team crush theirs.
Why are you still not watching football? What are you waiting for?
