I was amazed by the number of supporters who had umbrellas.
An unusual use for an umbrella at a football game soon became apparent. The centre-half of the losing team had obviously noted that there were
only 2 match footballs at the stadium. He made a huge clearance towards their supporters,
one of whom in turn grabbed the ball and proceeded to run his umbrella through the ball, puncturing it, very much like Shaka's Zulu warriors
would have done with their stabbing spears many years ago!
The referee brought the 2nd ball onto the field and the match proceeded. At the first opportunity the same central defender cleared the ball, once again in the direction of their supporters and much to the dismay of the visiting team who were winning, another supporter took his umbrella and thrust it through the 2nd ball!
With no more balls available the referee had no option but to call the match off, and a replay was ordered.
The second incident I remember involving umbrellas occured when I first visited
the hallowed ground of the Orlando Stadium in 1994 with Amazulu.
There was a capacity crowd and a good vibe - the ingredients for a great game. I thought it had been raining and
when I mentioned this to the legendary Sugar-Ray Xulu, he laughed and explained the reason for the puddles around the stands.
With the ground filled to capacity, the fans would just urinate over the side of the stands thus making the umbrella a very important
accessory for spectators at football games!
As they say in the Boy Scouts, "BE PREPARED!"