Vuvuzela – I’m just not that into you
The vuvuzela might do it for many football fanatics. But as he prepares to travel to Gabon for the Africa Cup of Nations, Robin Adams isn’t looking forward to his ears getting another workout.
A quick show of hands, if you will. Who, like me, is not a fan of the vuvuzela?
You know? That giant horn which featured over-abundantly in the 2010 football World Cup in my country, South Africa? The one that is making another appearance right now at the Africa Cup of Nations. And I have an interest in this – I’ll be going there in a couple of weeks.
I must admit, I sang the vuvuzela’s praises in the lead-up to the first World Cup on African soil. I believed the vuvuzela would give the biggest football event on the planet a uniquely African flavour.
That was until I attended two World Cup matches featuring the South American giants, Argentina and Brazil respectively, and got it in the ear from all sides.
Vuvuzelas blaring!
I thought the blowers were sounding it in my ears on purpose. They weren’t being blown into the air. They were aimed a little lower – at my head.
It felt like the sound was amplified by like a trillion. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little for effect – but it was really loud!
And the fans weren’t going full throttle merely during the big moments in the matches either. No sir. It went on and on and on, throughout the game. Ninety-odd minutes of that uniquely African sound ringing in my brain. Uniquely deafening!
The vuvuzela was banned in all UEFA competitions after the World Cup. Fans who bought them in South Africa and took them home to England were disappointed to learn that they wouldn’t be allowed at Premier League games either.
I know Uncle Sepp (Blatter – head of FIFA) was seriously considering giving it the boot during the World Cup as well.
If I can just be very clear about this. I’m not knocking the vuvu. Make no mistake. All I am saying is that I am not a fan.
I used to own quite a few of those uniquely African objects. My kids loved making a noise with it. And I didn’t mind. Mainly because their little lungs couldn’t release enough air for it to actually be loud enough to annoy my neighbours. (Oh. I’ve since moved house and it was great excuse to give them away).
The vuvuzela is again featuring quite prominently at another African football tourney – the Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
I am sure the reviews will be mixed. But the vuvuzela will most certainly be a talking point.
Do you like the vuvuzela? Are you a fan? Or like me – it is something you feel football matches could do without?
Join the conversation on Twitter. My handle is: @RobinAdamsSport
I am genuinely looking forward to your views – just don’t blow your trumpet too loud.