The Great Mazungo

The time between my last blog and this one has been crazy, but a good crazy! I played with the first team, and that was an amazing experience, and funny as well, but I’ll get into that story a bit later. We got our next placements announced. It’s also my last month in Africa, and I have less then 3 weeks left in Mozambique. I can’t believe I’m towards the end of this placement. Also I watched Step Brothers for the 20th time, but it was only James’ 2nd time watching it. I made my last weekend trip to Mutare in Zimbabwe. I’ve met some amazing people that I couldn’t thank enough.

Back to the the game I played in, so our first team is very good, but we haven’t had too much luck keeping players fit whether it’s to injuries or malaria. So for the game last Sunday we only had a total of 15 players, so that meant we had only 4 subs. I dressed down for that game and so did Albin. I didn’t know if I was gonna play at all or a lot. Before I go into the actual game and the experience of it. There is a small fact I have to let you guys know. So for anyone that’s not black here they call mazungo. So when Albin and I were warming up we could hear people saying mazungos. It’s not common to see people that aren’t African play in the league. So there was a lot of curiosity, and kids would just look at us. The first half went by, and Albin and I went out to warm up and we could hear the crowd saying mazungo. The crowed had maybe between 250-400 people. There were ten minutes to go in the game when they told me to go in. As soon as I came out of the dugout most of the crowd started to chant MAZUNGO MAZUNGO! It was a bit embarrassing for me but I just smiled and gave a little wave. It’s just that in the US when it’s towards the end of the game and they sub in the player that never plays the crowd goes wild and chants their name. The biggest example of that is Brian Scalabrine aka The White Mamba when he played for the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics. That’s what it felt like to me, but I went in and played well. After the game somebody said to one of the players on our team, “that mazungo can play”. The experience of playing with team was amazing! Something I won’t ever forget. Since then I’ve been training with the first team. I played again this weekend and I played 55 mins this time. My time has increased by a lot since the first game I played.

The next amazing and exciting thing that happened to myself, and would say for the rest of our group is that we got our placements. For those that don’t know, I’ll be going to Australia next! I couldn’t be more excited about it. The placement there will be different because we’ll be working with kids more instead of a pro team like we have been here in Mozambique. As soon as I read the email that said where I was going both James and I were screaming, giggling like girls, jumping, and hugging each other. I’ll be going to my next stage with James again and it’s great! Also another thing that came to mind although small and stupid was the scene from the movie Dumb and Dumber at the beginning when the Lloyd stops the limo and asks the girl where she is from. She then replies Austria, then he says “Ahh let’s put another shrimp on the barbie”. For some reason that just always comes to mind when I hear Australia or Austria. Anyway I couldn’t be happier to be going to Australia. I’ve always wanted to go, but now I get to live there, and coach. It’s gonna be without a doubt an amazing time!

Like I said before its my last month in Africa. I only have 3 weeks in Mozambique, but I have an extra week in South Africa. I remember arriving to Manica like it was yesterday, and we have been here already two months. I’ve met a lot of amazing people here. Both in South Africa and Manica, and now I have to include Mutare as well. The time I’ve spent here has had a major impact on my life. I believe it’s made me a better person. It’s definitely made me a stronger person. I never thought I would live in Africa in my life, but I did. It’s been an incredible experience that I know will continue to help me through out my life!

A small thing, but still very fun is that I watched step brothers for I believe is probably the 20th time with James. We were both in constant laughter throughout the entire movie. I think this is a movie I will never get tired of. I forgot I had brought it, and then once I remembered I had it. I tried to get James to watch it with me for about a week and we finally did. After seeing this movie as much as I have; now I want 3 things. Number one is a sword signed by randy Jackson from American idol. Number two I want that amazing wolf howling at the moon shirt Will Ferrell has through out the movie. Last but not least I want to turn my bed and James’ bed into bunk beds and sing “This is how we do it” haha.

Anyway this blog has been a bit more on the lighter side. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done this year so much. Since joining the program with Arsenal, I can honestly say it’s been the best time of my life! I do what I love to do the most almost everyday. I’m surrounded with people that enjoy that too! Also now when all I talk about is football. I don’t get told to shut up because that’s all I talk about. All the people I’ve met along the way have been amazing. I hope every year I continue to grow as a coach and person more and more. This was the best decision I ever made! Until next time.

#Mozambique