Farewell Sir Roger Moore

IF you grew up in the 80s or 90s like yours truly, my guess is whenever you hear of the name Bond… James Bond the face that comes to your mind is that of Roger Moore….pardon me, I mean Sir Roger Moore.

I learnt about the death of Sir Roger Moore in the early hours of Thursday May 25, 2017 after reading through a WhatsApp message my good friend Musengu had sent to me the previous night. He wondered whether I had heard about Sir Roger Moore’s death and it came as a shock especially that the Bond legend passed on two days earlier in Switzerland aged 89 after a battle with cancer.

Now, I’m not so much of a die-hard Bond fan, though I will readily admit that I have always been to the cinema every time a Bond movie under Daniel Craig comes out. It is quite common among die-hard Bond fans to declare that Sean Connery was the best Bond ever. Others say it is Daniel Craig. I feel Daniel Craig is really doing a great job as James Bond, but for me, Sir Roger Moore is James Bond, end of story.

This man was not just a movie star. He was more than just Bond. Yes, his films made him a star, but his charity work and kindness made him a legend and a gentleman. His words on the hunting of innocent animals for fun are the strongest and most eloquent I've ever heard. His work in supporting animal welfare was amazing.

The world has lost a lovely man who had a wicked sense of humour. I send my condolences to his wife and family. Rest in peace, Sir Roger Moore or should I say... Mr. Bond.

Wednesday May 10, 1995: The Day I Became An Arsenal Fan

I STARTED following football, particularly English football in 1991. I was only 11 at the time and the first team that really captured by attention was Leeds United. I thought their striker Lee Chapman was amazing and I would stay every Friday night waiting for the sports show they called “English Soccer” on ZNBC.
When the show was taken off air, I don’t remember following any team in particular. But I remember following players like Roberto Baggio who was at Juventus at the time. I also found the Brazilian Bebeto quite skilled on the pitch. He used to play for Deportivo La Coruna. The other players I followed closely were the Dutch twins Frank & Ronald De Boer who were at Ajax. I also enjoyed watching Luis Enrique when he was at Real Madrid. And though I never liked Manchester United from the get go, that never stopped me from following Ryan Giggs.
With Roberto Baggio being my favourite player of all the players I used to follow back then (and still is), I was rooting for Italy during the 1994 World Cup and watching him miss the final penalty pierced my heart. That was the first time I remember feeling heartbroken over a soccer match.
The next time I ever went through emotions over a football match was the day I became an Arsenal fan. I was home watching the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final between the holders Arsenal of England and Real Zaragoza of Spain. I found myself rooting for Arsenal. Those of you who are older enough will remember how dramatic that game ended. With seconds left before the final whistle in extra time and both teams tied at 1-all a player named Nahim, a former Tottenham midfielder scored  a spectacular 40-yard volley that sent Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Seaman crushing in the net.
The referee blew the final whistle before Real Zaragoza’s players ended their celebration. I remember watching Ian Wright cry his eyes out and I thought to myself, I want to support a team with players like that.
That match was played on Wednesday May 10, 1995.