Game Day!
7th Day South Africa.
This was a game day for the men of CUNYAC . Once again we start our day off with a breakfast. Everyone has been anticipating this day because this will be our first game on the Johannesburg tour. After conquering Cape Town the players were ready to prove something in a new city.
Before the game we set out on a quick stop to Nelson Mandela Square Mall and grab some lunch. As we walk out of the hotel to the bus we all notice snow falling out of the African sky. None of us could believe it but the snowfall progressed and now we can see it clearly. Our bus driver informed us that it hasn’t snowed in Johannesburg for over 30 years. It must be because of our presence! Another day on the tour another historic moment witnessed. It seems like everyday Africa treats us to something unusual.
CUNY vs. Lusitano
Lusitano is a local team from Johannesburg, which is also affiliated with Wits College. They are a college team and a club team and play competitively in the Johannesburg local leagues. They have an undefeated record and are about to be promoted into a higher division in their local league. With rough weather conditions and good competition, the CUNY team would have to step up and play a good game.
This whistle blows and we are under way. It was very obvious in the first minutes that this will not be an easy game. The Lusitano squad was a very technical team with great touch. They dominated possession for the first part of the match backing up CUNY defenders and testing our outstanding goalkeeper Michel Giordano. Too much pressure and a breakdown in front of the net led to the first goal in the 15th minute. Everyone could see that the goal sucked the life out of the players but the game was still young.
After the goal, the CUNY team settled in a bit in to their-own game and began to move the ball but could never establish possession. Our defense was playing strong but a true star was Giordano who made a few diving saves to keep the score at 1-0. Finally, the CUNY team gets some luck. Botched play by the goalkeeper results in a CUNY goal. Ohionameh Aregbeyen took advantage of the miscue and tapped the ball in to the net for his first goal of the tour. The score was now tied at 1-1 and CUNY had a new lease on life in this game.
Unfortunately, CUNY was not able to keep the score tied for too long. Lusitano build up a great attack and were able to respond with a goal in two minutes. Once again Giordano made a great save but was unable to stop the rebound shot, which was tapped in for a second goal. Lusitano took the lead at 2-1 and they would never relinquish it again. The game was downhill from there as opposition continued their dominance on the ball. The CUNY team was putting up a fight but was never able to get into the game. Lusitano added two more goals in the 49th and 73rd minutes to make the final score 4-1.
Another day goes by. It was a rough day for us with a loss but there is always something to learn from every game. With another game ahead of them the CUNY team will be looking to prove something. Nevertheless we spread some goodwill and gave the t-shirts to the opposing team and thanked them for hosting us in their country. Once again victories and losses matter but we also here to make friends and learn about the country, and the next day is not that far away.