Where are the Bangoura brothers?

Where are the Bangoura brothers?

KUWAIT CITY - In continental games, the charm of football has nothing to do with public support. Otherwise, we would never be able to admire the teams that shine and triumph while playing away from their homelands.

In Kuwait City, many people ask me this question: Where are the Bangoura brothers? And yesterday, in a bank near Kuwait University, a young Kuwaiti named Fahad asked me the same question when he knew my nationality. Fahad is passionate about African football.
Four years ago, during the CAN 2006 in Egypt, the beautiful city Alexandria overwhelmingly welcomed each of the four national teams of Group C which were supposed to play on its facilities. They were Tunisia, South Africa, Guinea and Zambia. And before the first matches of this group, at some public places in the city, it was clear to see the absolute support of the local inhabitants for the Tunisians, the African reigning champions and favorites of the group. The Alexandrians and Tunisians are Arabs, and therefore speak the same language.

But soon after the first appearance of Guinea Syli National against Bafana-Bafana of South Africa, the beautiful touristic town immediately turned coat. Simply because it was hard not to admire the dribbling of Feindouno, the impeccable gestures of Yattara, the stops of colossus Dian Bobo, the speed of Mansaré and the decisive passes of experienced Pablo Thiam.

However, Guinea's national team arrived in Egypt under a cloud of financial difficulties. On the eve, the coach Patrice Neveu, who was in charge since 2004, even threatened to quit if not paid salary arrears. The tension was palpable.

But once the game started, everything was forgotten by these young players capable of upsetting the rhythm of the most formidable opponents. Considered as underdogs before the start of the African biennial tournament, they will reap three consecutive victories by dominating South Africa (0-2), Zambia (1-2) and Tunisia (0-3) to earn their place in the quarter-final. Evidence that the beauty of football is also its glorious uncertainty.

In this beautiful city, during the competition, the temperature often used the morning rain and the heat in the afternoon to deliver a fresh evening at Stadium Harass El-Hodoud where the show was always amazing. The Alexandrians fans, just like many others in the Arab world who were already impressed by the talents of Guineans, immediately nicknamed the Syli National of Guinea - the Bangoura.

Bangoura family is one of major Sosso families in Guinea. They were five talents named Bangoura who, with the assistance of their teammates, helped this Guinean young team to leave good souvenirs that admirers of beautiful game still remember. The audience of Alexandria, cheerful with the abundance of this name on the field, was also pleased by the crosses of winger Ibrahima Bangoura (Troyes, France), clear head shots of forward Sambegou Bangoura (Stoke City, England), admirable controls of midfielder Ousmane Bangoura (Charleroi, Belgium), dribbling and acceleration of the striker Ismael Bangoura (Le Mans, France). On the reserve bench, there was the keeper Aboubacar Bangoura of French Châteauneuf that time.

I explained to Fahad that time has passed and that the Bangoura’s are back with new names but the joy and excitement is still the same and only the Almighty knows where they will take us this time. As required I updated Fahad with the whereabouts of those Bangoura of Alexandria.

Fahad replied by saying that he dreams of “watching again” the talented Bangoura brothers (the Syli National) playing their beautiful and fascinating game. – “Insha'Allah” (With God’s willing) was my ultimate reply before leaving him … with a smile.

NB.: En francais : Où sont les Bangoura ?

/____ Moysekou

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