Moments after trashing Roma in the Semi finals of the 2021 Europa League soccer pundits predicted that the Europa trophy was destined for the city of Manchester. Expert and amateur analysts  made man to man comparison of the players from both teams and concluded it was a mismatch. A good friend of mine had a pre-victory booze party on 1st of May, almost four weeks before the match, to wet the throat for the incoming Europa trophy. I know of another fan who mobilized  fellow ‘manures’ for a ‘dog meat’ party weeks before a ball was kicked in Gdańsk.

Hours before the match in Gdańsk, I saw social media updates posted by Bruno Fernandez announcing what was assumed would be a short stroll to victory. Just like most ManU fans he smiled at the Camera like someone who knew he had the winning lottery ticket in a safety box in the bank. The ManU flight crew chilled barrels of champagne for what would be a celebratory flight back to the red side of Manchester.

Not for once did the team imagine that victory could go the other way.

The rest is history.

I learnt long ago not to troll a team that is down.

But my parents taught me to always identify the lessons in every situation.

Perhaps we can all learn from the misadventure of the disunited side of  Manchester:

1. Never dance the dance of victory before the battle is fought
2. Never underrate your opponent
3. What appears easy could have its twist.
4. There is no sure banker even in lottery.

It’s morning here but it is still ebening in Manchester

Good ebening!!

27^th May 2021