Feindouno and Inzaghi: Two parallel philosophies!
KUWAIT CITY - The football certainly has proven to be the king of sports on earth. With the possible exception of Antarctica, the world apparently has no place resisting to its eloquence and influence. 
And in Taouyah, a coastal area of Conakry, the beach Rogbané is one of the places where many tourists and residents often go to relax while enjoying the beautiful game.
On this side of the Atlantic Ocean with the gulls bathing in peace under a shimmering sunset that illuminates the island of Kassa barely visible from a distance, a football match was held recently with these professional players: Fodé Mansaré, Bobo Baldé, Ibrahima Yattara, Kalabane, Feindouno, Ismael Bangoura, Ronaldinho, Rooney, Messi, Eto'o, Iniesta, Fabregas, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Essien and Robinho. In reality, these players were not actually in that game, but adolescents wearing the jerseys of their favorite local and international stars, whose exploits on European fields are followed by them through satellites. 
Frankly, these young men like soccer. They crossed the dusty streets of Hamdallaye and the corniche of Minière in the heat of summer in Conakry to join this quiet place.
They installed four thin wooden poles to serve as goalposts without crossbars. From the beginning, their friendly match took real forms, and its pace sometimes projecting from the sides until they played near the water where two young men where narrating their actions without microphones. One of these commentators was dressed white jersey of Real Madrid’s Kaka and the other wore the orange of Nasri, Arsenal striker. Their shout, often triggered by a missed opportunity or a perfect dribbling, was both sharp and attractive. Spectators cheered relentlessly. The atmosphere was wonderful.
Meanwhile, not far from Taouyah in another neighborhood Bonfi, another aspect of football was going on in front of some spectators and vendors of iced drinks. This is the daily practice of the club "Les Girondins" at the ‘Stade de Bonfi’. To remind this stage is where began the career of dazzling, virtuoso Pascal Feindouno, the Guinean star whose jersey was visible among many other jerseys proudly worn by those young men who display their talent at the beach Rogbané.
Known for his unconventional technique, showmanship and his inconstancy, Feindouno left good memories in French League I. For nine years he was the heyday of Bordeaux, Lorient and Saint Etienne. In National team of Guinea, his traces are indelible. Relying on his creative genius, he is able, alone, to reverse the course of a match. He often does it and has done it an evening at ‘Ohene Djan Stadium’ in Accra during the CAN 2008 when Guineans faced Moroccans not only to qualify for the quarter-final but also realize what they have always missed: defeating the Atlas Lions.
In this duel between Guinea and Morocco, at 59 min, near the midfield, a combination of Moroccan defense will be intercepted by Feindouno who gets the ball intelligently. Without delay, he reads the situation before brushing the ball with a fine and incisive touch between three Moroccan defenders to Ismael Bangoura, Dynamo Kiev striker. This insatiable regular scorer will not leave any chance to Moroccan goalkeeper. 2-0. Guinea's first goal on free kick at 11 min; was a great shoot of the same artist Feindouno.
Time passes, the pace is accelerating and the indefatigable Lille’s attacker, Souleymane Youla is fighting in vain to increase the score. He is not discouraged. His persistence will reap a penalty kick at 63 min which will be easily converted by the same flamboyant St Etienne’s forward Feindouno.
The Moroccans stand, without success. At the final whistle, a one-goal margin decided between the two teams. Without doubt, the joy of being in the quarter-final was already in the streets of Conakry. Final score: 3-2. Morocco was eliminated and the Guinean fans cheering seemed as they have moved a mountain.
But two years ago, Feindouno who was a pure value at St Etienne, made a sudden move to play in Qatar to feel some petrodollars, find sensations, enhance his market value and return to Europe!
Following his philosophy and after a hike financially beneficial to Al-Sadd, Al-Rayyan (Qatar) and Al-Nasr (A. Arabia), he is currently looking for a club to bounce in Europe! He canceled these days his contract, which expires at the end of the season, with the Qatari club Al-Sadd. But while returning to Europe, is he at his best, technically and physically?
At 29, despite the heavenly gift that he has at his feet, a new breakthrough of Feindouno in the top-level football is not easy. But, to brave heart nothing is impossible, as the saying goes.
Some players leave Europe to other continents to find more playing time or to prepare a comfortable retirement. Others, such as Filippo Inzaghi stay. Inzaghi, nicknamed Pippo, is 37 years, but AC Milan still depends on him when the time is gloomy.
Last Wednesday in the Champions League, Real Madrid scored and mastered the game against AC Milan but the living legend Inzaghi put things flat by scoring not once but twice in the space 10 minutes. The first goal is a perfect finish which he alone has the power. Advancing towards the goal line, he imagined something rare - a mistake of world champion captain, Iker Casillas. He will later go from an offside position to put the second goal. In this draw (2-2), Milan was agitated, dominated by Real and Inzaghi, who came in from the bench at 60’, changed everything.
The coach of Real Madrid, Mourinho said in a conference that, at AC Milan, he feared only Inzaghi. Some had underestimated his warning. They do not anymore.
This thin poacher, often invisible as a ghost, has always scored important goals in a career of 19 years of daily work in Piacenza, Parma, Atlanta, Juventus and AC Milan now. His secret? He summarizes himself: “I know myself, and I have my routines,” he said after the match. “What changes is that the more time passes, the more you have to work to be at the top.”
Thus, Inzaghi, with his philosophy, shines and breaks records. With his two goals of Wednesday, he broke the records of two great Europeans - Gerd Müller and Marco van Basten - in one night in Milan. That makes his 70 goals scored in European Cup, a goal more than Müller and 125 goals realized under the Rossonero jersey. More than Marco van (124 goals).
In short, to stay on top of his art, Inzaghi redoubled his efforts every day. Feindouno, in contrast, prefers to go into exile in a low level league but very profitable!
Football, undoubtedly, has distinct philosophies.
/ By: Moysekou.
