BY BEN MEMULETIWON
Football predator, Harry Kane, once again proved his lethal ability in front of goal as his brace against the Eagles of Tunisia compounded Africa’s trauma in the ongoing World Cup in Russia.
After the bitter pills of defeat swallowed by Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco in their opening games, many Africans in the continent and in the diaspora had thought that Tunisia would redeem the times for the continent. It was not to be.
Rather, Tunisia deferred the redemption song further for a continent in desperate search for global soccer glory. Tunisia continued the trend when Kane’s header swivelled and then found the back of the net to give England the three points in the fnal moments of the four minutes added time.
It was England’s first victory over an African team at the World Cup in two decades.
Kane tapped in a Walker rebound in the 11th minute to put the Three Lions ahead. But Sassi’s penalty in the 35th minute levelled the game and gave the Tunisians a strong ray of hope.
The goal, which the English goalkeeper almost saved, was Africa’s first goal of the global football fiesta.
The Tunisians, apparently on the receiving end for most of the second half, defended their area like the Trojans. Then came the back-breaker in the 91st through a dramatic header from Harry Kane.
The tormentor-in-chief of Tunisia had earlier vowed, during a pre-match press conference, that he was going to replicate Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick magic against Spain in tonight’s encounter. He almost did, with the match ending 2-1 in favour of Kane and England.
Now, after her four representatives had fallen like a pack of cards, Africa is crest fallen. Africans are sad. All hopes and eyes are now on Senegal. But will Senegal give the continent the much desired redemption song tomorrow when they take on Poland in Group H? Time, only time, can tell.
