The South African magazine Chimurenga has just launched a World Cup project called “Pilgrimages,” sending African writers on journeys to various cities on the continent and beyond to report on the experience of the World Cup there. It will be a great series, I think, and starts with a compelling case for Argentina winning the Cup, by Grant Farred.
Even though I’ve got all kinds of other fantasies of how this will play out — France being brilliant, Cameroon or South Africa in the quarterfinals — I find his argument pretty convincing. Indeed, I’ve never really shared all the laments surrounding Maradona, actually still find myself rather charmed by him. I’ll take Maradona over Domenech any day! We need at least one completely crazy, FIFA-mauling, Guevara/Castro tatoo wearing, coach in the World Cup, no?
I still joyfully recall Maradona jumping around when his team qualified last fall, looking like a cross between Superman and a kid who just learned he’s going to Disneyworld. And I appreciated his participation in the Catalonia-Argentina match last year as well. Plus, remember this goal by Martin Palermo, with Boca?
