Success Catalysts Beyond IQ – Part II

Last week, we shared some success lessons that we can draw from the just ended finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). We requested you the readers of Rise and Shine column to also share the lessons you learnt from the 2012 Afcon. Below are some of the lessons shared by some readers of Rise and Shine column:

1. Self-confidence is good, but don’t be over confident otherwise you lose focus. Senegal was one of the tournament’s favourites, but they never won a single game, losing all games in the group.

2. Importance of team work, self-determination and self-belief: Zambia team sprit made them champions, they played as a team and the influence of individual names had no effect on the team.

3. One bad mistake overshadows all your successes gained overtime and can ruin your whole career. For example, Gabon star player (Jersey 9, favoured by the first lady of Gabon) had some best performances and demonstrated individual brilliance to take his team into quarter-finals. But missing a penalty that effectively kicked his team out of the competition was a mistake that will never be forgotten by Gabon fans.

4. Taking responsibility and leading by example- Zambian team captain Chris Katongo led his team to their first Africa Nations Cup. —Mr. PCM, Lilongwe

Ivory Coast went to the tournament with little regard to the future in terms of succession planning. Most players, starting 11, are on the verge of losing their usefulness. Ivory Coast average age was 28, the youngest Wilfried Bony was 23 while Chipolopolo’s average age was 26, Evans Kangwa the youngest aged 17. Of particular interest was the average age of the 3 goalkeepers in Ivory Coast squad 31, while Chipolopolo was 24.

Key players of Ivory Coast are on the wrong side of 30: Drogba, Zokora, Keita, Kolo, Barry with no defined replacement. There is another Africa Cup in 2013. Herve and Kalusya can take to South Africa almost the same victorious Chipolopolo and expect results.

Chipolopolo were united in purpose to honour the fallen heroes. Zebras of Botswana were dying to qualify for the finals, they did exactly that. The Elephants were stars, playing as favourites. End result? Sorry stars that don’t deliver for their countries: Drogba of Ivory Coast, Nedved of Czech, Raul of Spain, maybe Messi of Argentina? Lampard of England? Mponda of Malawi?

Mr. Sam, Blantyre

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I loved our neighbours’ spirit of unity and inclusiveness. It was a final for all Zambians. For example, amongst Zambians dignitaries were their Vice-President, Rupiah Banda and Kenneth Kaunda, which demonstrated total national unity. Big success can breed unity.

Dalitso, Blantyre

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For me, I liked the sportsmanship displayed by Drogba in the final game between Ivory Coast and Zambia. Just 13 minutes into the game, a Zambian player got injured and he had to leave the pitch. The player was clearly very disappointed not to play the whole game. Drogba, though from the opposing team, went over to the Zambian injured player to console him. Lesson for me here was that even in competition, we can be friends and we can still show sympathy and empathy.

Kondwani, Mzuzu

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As you will have seen from the lessons above, there is a lot that we can learn as we watch soccer matches. Next time you are watching a good soccer match, learn one or two success lessons that you can apply in your daily lives including at work. Good luck as you rise and shine with football.