My minute with Vidic

The Uefa Champions League (UCL) is by far the most prestigious club competition in the world, by virtue of its popularity and reach.

Equally so is England's Premier League (PL). The competition has garnered a host of fans from across the world and continues to do so every day.

The following and passion undoubtedly adds to the vibe of the game. Last week Heineken brought former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic to the country as part of the UCL trophy tour.

Initially many thought that another former Manchester United stalwart Ryan Giggs would land in the country with the trophy, as he was touring with the cup in neighbouring South Africa.

In the end it was Vidic who landed at Hosea Kutako International Airport, which was still amazing, because this does not happen often.

I'm not a United fan, but I watch the UCL and for this reason alone I was excited to shake hands with Vidic. It's any sports journalist's dream to meet any player from either Uefa or the EPL.

I was invited exclusively to 'shadow' the Vidic pick-up at the airport. I thought, okay this is my chance to perhaps ask him a few questions and that I can use his answers in an article for my readers, so that they too can get to know the player off the pitch.

This did not happen. The pick-up was rushed. It was four minutes tops. I managed to get a photo or two of the player and short video clips for my personal Facebook page, as I was initially not allowed to post them on Namibian Sun's social media pages, the end. We went our separate ways.

Soon after I posted the clips, fans started calling and enquiring where they can catch a glimpse of the trophy. I did not have answers. They wanted to know if they can take a selfie with the former defender; still I did not know.

The thing is, I understand why people were excited. Who wouldn't be? It's Vidic, one of the finest defenders ever to grace the Premier League. He was United's captain, who won five league titles, a Champions League trophy and three League Cups during his eight-year stay in England.

Who would not want to see this guy in Windhoek? But there was no public display of the trophy. The whole affair was hush-hush, except for the lucky few who managed to get an invite.

It was a disappointment, I must say. But of course most probably organisers were maybe just following protocol.

But my question is: Why bring a player all the way to lock him up? European players play in stadiums full of thousands of fans. They are swamped by fans at airports. I think by now Vidic is used to the hype and knows how to handle himself.

I understand sometimes fans overstep boundaries and try to hug players, and so forth, but knowing Namibians, I think they just wanted a selfie to brag that they saw their favourite player.

Look at Giggs, I believe he had great fun in South Africa. I think South African fans were more excited to see Giggs in the flesh than the trophy. I think that's what most expected here.

I appreciate the fact that I could tag along to the airport and that I was invited to see the former player. But I think the organisers could have done better. They disappointed many Vidic fans who go out and buy the replica paraphernalia of these players.

Imagine someone taking a taxi all the way from Ombili or Havana hoping to see this guy, most probably for the first and last time in the flesh, and being told that they cannot even catch a glimpse of him.

To those who managed to catch a glimpse of Vidic, I'm glad for you; to others who tried and couldn't, I'm truly sorry. All I can say is that he seems like a really humble guy.



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