I was torn last week when I found out that Ghana was going to play Brazil. It didn't stop me from trash talking. But my heart was touched by Ghana's amazingly strong team. Part of me really wanted an African team to make it to the finals, especially since the next WC will be in South Africa. It would be great for an African team to defend their homeland.

I grew up listening to samba, being overly-emotional about soccer, singing Brazilian Portuguese. Before I was born, Brazil provided my Cape Verdean family with economic refuge. When I was born, Brazil gave me citizenship. That's why I want Brazil to win.

Soccer is more than a game in Brazil, it's an economic and community up lifter. The country is unified in its' support for the team and the boom it brings to the economy. I will always love soccer the way only a Brazilian national can. I will always sport my yellow, blue and green.

But I hope that some day an African team will have the resources needed to dominate the sport. How wonderful would it be if an African team took the cup in South Africa!!

http://www.southafrica2010.org/