Oh no! Rob boy!

Spain is one of the countries known for romance and non-stop night life. And if there’s one city where you know you’ll be able to enjoy life to the fullest, then it is Madrid. You can do whatever you like—dance all night long to whatever music you like. They also have mouth-watering dishes such as fabada (Asturian bean stew) and cochnillo asado (suckling pig).

I read that there are also cute ladies in Spain and the common names include Adelina and Daniela who are bound to teach you romantic words such as eres guapa (you are beautiful), Te amo! (I love you!), ‘Tu eres muy sexy’ (you’re very sexy), Besame! (kiss me!) and hazme el almor (make love to me).

Over and above that, Spain is also known for its passion for the beautiful game of football and no wonder, the world’s greatest footballers—Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ply their trade in that country. Spain are also the reigning world and European champions.

I was therefore disappointed when I learnt last week that our Europe-based wonderkid Robin Ngalande was ending his romance with Spanish football and is linked with a move back to South Africa. I felt something was terribly wrong.

Surely, this could not be the Rob boy whose skills charmed fans at Atletico Madrid where he starred for their youth side and the fans were even tempted to compare him with African legend Samuel Eto’o.

Surely, this could not be the same boy wonder who had that brilliant pace down the wings that the Spanish football writers called him another Eto’o in the making—there were more questions than answers and Rob needs to come out of his shell and explain his otherwise surprise move.

How could a player, who only a year ago was tipped to play in the same league with world superstar footballers such as Messi and Ronaldo, be reduced to one just good enough for the retirement zone of South African football, otherwise known as the super disk?

How could a player who was tipped to form a deadly combination with Atletico Madrid’s Europa triumph star Radamel Falcao in the near future, be reduced to one good enough for the funny shibobo show in the rainbow nation, to share the stage with fading big-names such as Benni McCarthy and Siyabonga Nomvete?

Yes, there is good life in the Mzansi and where Rob used to watch sexy Colombian songbird Shakira in Madrid, he will now be charmed by Zahara’s Loliwe hit song, and where he would be captivated by Shakira’s hip-swaying antics, Rob will certainly be thrilled by Zahara’s golden voice.

But ladies and gentlemen, is it not five steps backwards for his otherwise promising career? From Spain back to Mzansi?…Sure, Rob boy? Oh no chiquito [little one]! Uloliwe wayidudula! [the train is pushing].