Wales’ success at Euro 2016 is based on their teamwork and spirit rather than just the performances of Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale, writes PETER OKWOCHE.
Did I ever declare that my mum went to university in Wales? It was in the seventies and, despite having been in the UK for 12 years, London is the closest I’ve ever been to Wales! But, when it comes to this tournament, Wales are my team.
Many of the countries at Euro 2016 have got brilliant players; us Welsh have a brilliant team. Before the tournament began, all the talk surrounding the Welsh squad was about Gareth Bale. But this is a team that stands out – right through from Bale at the top, to Hennessy in goal.
Where have their performances come from? Well, that’s what happens when you have a band of brothers. No egos, no ‘I’m the main man,’ or ‘I’m the main man, so pass the ball to me!’
Wales are a team. To quote another English journalist: ‘Gareth Bale would stand in front of a bus for his team mates!’
And what about Aaron Ramsey, eh? His run to the right side to make that cross might be obscured by what followed but it was stellar.
What happened next was heavenly – that turn by Hal Robson-Kanu was exquisite. With two touches, he took out two thirds of the Belgian defence and scored! I recorded it for my 11-year-old daughter, and she believes that move should be banned in football. It was that good. Let’s not forget that at that moment, Kanu is a free agent without a club having been released by English Championship side, Reading.
Four years ago, Chris Coleman was on the verge of being the first Welsh manager to lose his first five games in charge of the national team. Had that been the case, he might have been sacked – a draw saved him. How he has turned things around since then! He has built a team that believes – believes that if they work hard for their team mates, then they can win and that if they believe in themselves, then anything can happen. It’s a lesson for us all.
Wales might not go on to win the tournament, although I hope they do, but what a tournament this is turning out to be.
– Peter Okwoche presents Focus on Africa on BBC World News. Tune in Monday to Friday at 19.30 on DStv, channel 400.
