Two is the magic number

In case anyone WAS wondering, it looks like it took me two months to get over Carolina's loss in the elite 8 this year. In a related development, Kendall Marshall has also yet to fully recover from his wrist injury. 

Obviously, that makes two of us.

But there too many good stories - and one bad one - to keep Carolina Hellenic Blue from getting back on track.

The first and best one has got to be our hometown Washington Nationals (I'll blog the others: Greece; NBA playoffs; EURO 2012; etc. starting tomorrow). They are playing so well, despite so many injuries and bad luck, that my hopes and expectations are Carolina high.  All season long, I've found myself pacing and getting as nervous during Nats games, especially late, as I do during a Carolina game.  

How is that for perspective?  

It's hard to believe that the Nats are in first place without Drew Storen or Michael Morse having played a single inning, then losing Jayson Werth, Wilson Ramos, and Brad Lidge for most of the season so far.

But that's how good our starting pitching has been.  Our starters and Adam LaRoche did all the heavy lifting - with some help from Jim Tracy pinching hitting like Ted Williams - for the first month of the season and got the Nats off to phenomenal and exciting start.  Steven Strasburg in particular was lights out his first 6 starts.

In the last month however, the worm has turned as the starters - except for Gio 'Best Pitcher in the NL' Gonzalez - have returned to Earth. But now the offense is starting to produce and carry the squad.

Some of that productivity is due to the return of Ryan Zimmerman from the DL, moving Ian Desmond out of the leadoff spot and into more RBI-worthy situations found in the 5th or 6th hole, and Danny Espinosa finally staring to hit.  

But it's been two rookies who were not expected to help the Nationals this year, or at all, who are most responsible for the recent offensive surge of the Nationals.  

One, as we all know, is Bryce Harper.  He may be in over his head some times as he adjusts to life in the big leagues but Harper is a six-tool player, perhaps the first in baseball.  He hits, hits for power, runs well (an understatement), fields well, and throws exceptionally.  His sixth tool?  

Harper does something exciting every night; you can't take your eyes off of him.

One night, it's stealing home, another turning a single and a bobble into a double.  Or maybe it's scoring from second on a ground ball that ricochets off the second baseman's glove, or crashing into the wall in center.   Or running the bases in 17 seconds on a home run, Mickey Mantle style.

For me, the epitome of Harper - at least so far - was Sunday against old favorite(s) Livo Hernandez and the Braves.  The first time Livo faced him, he struck Harper out on a 64-mile an hour curve ball.  One inning later, Livo tried that again on an 0-2 pitch.  That time, Harper lined a home run the opposite way that got out of the yard in about 3 seconds and barely rose higher than 15 feet.  

To paraphrase W: 'Fool me once, shame on me.  Try to fool me twice, shame on you.'

But the other rookie that has helped the Nats stay in first place is Steve Lombardozzi.  Inserted into the lead off spot by Davey 'Yes, I still have it at 69 years young' Johnson, Lombardozzi is hitting 320 with an on-base percentage close to 400.  He's mainly started in LF, but also got some time at third when Zimm was hurt and at second spelling Espinosa.  I hope Johnson keeps finding him at bats when Morse (would could come off the DL next week) and Werth return.   Lombardozzi gets on base like a lead off hitter should.

Finding him ABs after Morse returns is a GREAT problem to have.  As I said at the top o' the blog, it's hard not to get excited about watching this team compete.  That's one of the greatest things about baseball - you get to follow your team every day for six month.  And if your team is good, that's hard two beat.

GO NATS!

A few more Nats notes, then it's off to the Mall for some CLAW softball.

• The return of Morse could give the Nats a stacked line up, and would keep Lombardozzi in the line up at least until Werth returns. I assume Johnson will go: Lombardozzi LF; Harper CF; Zimmerman 3B; LaRoche 1B; Morse LF; Desmond SS; Espinosa 2B; Flores C.
• Jesus Flores will turn out to be the unsung hero for the Nats, our savior in the wake of Ramos' injury.
• One last encouraging thing about the Nationals' season thus far? Not only have they flourished without Morse, etc. but they are off to a 6-4 start as the Nats enter the most brutal part of their schedule.  Those six wins have come against the first-place Orioles and on the road at Philadelphia and Atlanta.  It's a tough month of games, as the Nats are in Miami, home versus the Mets and Braves, then travel to Boston and Toronto, come home for the Yankees and Rays, then finish that stretch in Baltimore.  
• That's 33 games versus nothing but quality and pennant-worthy foes from the NL and AL East.  If the Nats are in first place by the time the Rockies come to DC on June 25th tell Mike Rizzo to start printing playoff tickets!

Worst 24 hours in DC since . . .

probably the day the Supreme Court decided that George W. Bush was president.  On that day in 2001, I remember thinking "well, there goes the Arctic Refuge."

The good news is, of course, that didn't happen.  We won.  But it's harder to find some good news in the last 24-hour news cycle.

One, phenom Steven Strasburg needs Tommy John surgery.  When that news came across my phone Friday morning I almost cried.  That fact alone, that I felt like crying about a baseball player I've never met, proves that old phase: 'sports fans are the most miserable people on Earth'. 

As I tweeted yesterday (@AthanDCTarheel), the Curse of Lez Boulez is real.  DC sports teams can not catch a break, and the only team that has historically won (history leaves out DC United) is the one with the most racist name in history, and boasted a proud racist owner for years in the 40s, 50s and early 60s.

Soul sucking as Strasburg's injury is, a sucking compounded by the timing since we found out about the diagnosis a day AFTER Bryce Harper's hope-inducing introduction and awesome batting practice session, there are SEVERAL silver linings. 

1. there were 10 pitchers in this year's all-star game who had the surgery, and almost 85  percent of the hurlers who have had the procedure come back just as strong or stronger
2. Stasburg is only 22 years old; his body is still growing and his youth should aid his recovery.  
3. hurting a shoulder is a much bigger problem for a pitcher than an elbow or forearm; many have opined that he can strengthen his shoulder while rehabilitating after Tommy John surgery.

Finally, their is Strasburg's attitude.  And I'm not talking about his work ethic.  I'm talking about his quote that it's better to have this happen now than say, at a time when the Nats are in a pennant race or battling for a World Series. Clearly, Strasburg is thinking big picture about his injury, surgery, recovery and career, so so should we.  But it still stinks to have to wait and hope things go well. 

Speaking of hope, let's hope John Wall or Bryce Harper are not hit by a bus.

Two, speaking of speaking of hope, the other bad thing to befall your nation's capital is the Glenn Beck rally.  I don't have much to add to the discussions about how outlandish it is for Beck to be linked to Martin Luther King and the "I Have A Dream" speech.  MLK was about making the country better and fulfill the meaning of it's creed; Beck's message is based on fear of the other and turning the clock back.  

And how can someone who claims President Obama is racist against white people and hates white culture profess to reclaim the civil rights movement?

But I do want to point out the irony of standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial.  Not only is it inappropriate for Beck to stand near where King stood, but what about Lincoln?  Does it bother Beck and the Tea Party that Lincoln: 

• was the father of big government, a government that swelled in size to fight and win the Civil War?  
• actually fought a war against white culture, at least white slave-owning culture?  Many Confederates thought that Lincoln hated white people;
• supported redistributing land, for free, via the Homestead Act, an act that gave away 160 acres to anyone over 21 years old and was loyal to the United States. According to history.com, similar bills were proposed prior to the Civil War but were defeated by southern members of Congress who feared new territories populated by non-slave holding homesteaders who supported laboring over slavery.
• supported labor over capital: "labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration."
• strongly opposed the Tea Party's intellectual forefathers, the Know-Nothings, on immigration, stating that if they gaining power the Declaration of Independence would be amended to "all men are created equal except Negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics."  That sounds Tea Partyish to me.

I really think the Palins, Becks and the Tea Party have already hit their high water mark.  I just can't see folks, except maybe in Utah or Idaho maybe Kentucky, voting for these guys in November.  Their time has past, and Americans rarely if ever vote their fears rather than their hopes.  

Hopes, for Strasburg's recovery, and in November.

Americans Never Give Up

Not much more to say other than that headline - though I would add 'Yes We Can' to give our national team and our President a shout out.

What a phenomenal finish.  The U.S. clearly out played Algeria (still weird to think about such small countries as Algeria and Slovenia as rivals) and we deserved to win that game.  

But man was that a nerve-wracking win. And many Washingtonians, at least the ones at The Beer Garden on H St., were literally sweating it out on a sweltering day until the 92nd minute.

Luckily, persistence and effort - yes we can! - almost always win in the end. Yesterday, in South Africa that was personified by Landon Donovan and an exhilarating 1-0 win to send the United States into the knock round of the World Cup.

However

Many in Washington know that effort and persistence can only go so far. Welcome to Washington, Steven Strasburg.

For six innings against Kansas City Strasburg was once again pretty impressive. Not masterful, but still an A+ performance. Unfortunately, due to anemic hitting from the Nats, Strasburg picked up his first loss as a major leaguer, and finished on the losing end of a 0-1 score.

Many will focus on his 9 strikeouts, but I was most impressed by his ability to compete once he ran into trouble.  He fought his way out of multiple jams yesterday.

The shut out versus Kansas City - how embarrassing is that? - underscores the need to shake up the top of the line up. 

I'd bench Morgan and Guzman ASAP, and insert Bernadina in center, Morse in right, and Kennedy at second base.  Doing so would upgrade three positions - in one way or another - and strengthen the line up, too.

Bernadina is hot, and is a great fielder too. Morgan has been neither of late.

Morse is not much of a fielder, but has shown signs of developing into the kind of power hitter a team craves in a corner outfielder.

And unlike Guzman, Kennedy gets on base and would be perfect in the 2 hole of the lineup.

So I'd go: Bernadina, CF; Kennedy, 2nd, Zimmerman-Dunn-Willingham, Morse, RF; Rodriguez, and Desmond, with Morgan getting a start or two a week, maybe more for Guzman at SS and 2nd.  

And for good measure I'd give Landon Donovan some starts, too.

A Loss, But Went Out on a High Note

Though Ellas lost today, 0-2, to Argentina, at least our Ethniki went out fighting.  

We played Messi and company tough - in fact, played them even for 75 minutes or so - and even had a few scoring opportunities that simply did not pan out.  Though it was a loss, and a loss that eliminated Greece from the World Cup, at least they went down fighting.  

That is a worn out cliche, especially when it comes to sport, but for a team that embarrassed a nation and worldwide diaspora in their opening match versus South Korea going down fighting is an improvement.

Followers of Greek football have to say that the 2010 World Cup was a huge step forward.  One could assume that a country that won one of football's most important championships as recently as 2004 (though 2004 is a long time ago; for perspective Carolina has won 2 national basketball championships since then) would have higher aspirations than going 1-0-2 (3 points) in a World Cup.  But for a nation that was totally embarrassed in their only other appearance, in 1994, scoring 2 goals and getting a win is progress.

Almost more important than the win and the goals is the incremental changing of the guard. Unlike in 2006 or 2008, this team shed some of the old stars from 2004 and introduced some younger talent.  

Hopefully, qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and winning a game is simply a step in the right direction, a direction that will see Ellas routinely qualify for future European championships and World Cups. Remember, this is only Greece's fourth international final (1994 World Cup, 2004 and 2008 European championships are the other three) so let's hope this is the start and not the waning of a golden era of Hellenic football.

USA

Speaking of soccer teams on the rise, we can take a huge step forward with a win over Algeria tomorrow. This group has been unpredictable so we should not take Algeria for granted. But that said, you got to like our chances.

A win would move the US into the knockout round, but more importantly give this team some serious mojo.  If we can avoid giving up an early goal tomorrow watch out.

So another big sports today tomorrow - USA versus Algeria, and Strasburg back on the mound for 2-game winning streaking Nationals.

Unsatisfying

What an unsatisfying DC sports day.

Normally, coming back from an 0-2 halftime deficit to earn a tie would be satisfying, but not yesterday.  If there's been one theme this summer it's been bad calls, from Jim Joyce to Joe West to the referee who called a phantom red card against host South Africa to the Malian referee in yesterday's game.  The knee jerk American reaction is 'instant replay' but for me the solution is simply more professionalism from referees and umps, something that seems to be lacking in every sport.

Of course, the silver lining for the US is that Algeria managed a tie versus group rival England.  If we defeat Algeria, certainly doable, or a tie against the north African nation coupled with a Slovenia win over England sends the US to the knock out round.  

But we deserved to win that game yesterday, which stinks.

Speaking of ties, the best the Nats could manage against the lowly White Sox was a 1-1 tie after 9 innings, including seven stellar ones from Steven Strasburg.  The White Sox were lucky to score one, but that lone run was enough to stymie the inept Nationals offense on the way to an eventual 1-2 Nationals loss in 11 innings. 

Strasburg had at least 3 pitches working at a magnificent level.  All his pitches - but especially his change up - had a tremendous amount of late movement, and President Obama's favorite team swung at numerous pitches in the dirt on their way to 10 strikeout versus Strasburg.

I've blogged this before, but the Nats need to find some hitters to get on base in front of Zimmerman, Dunn and Willingham.  Guzman has always been an 8th placed hitter masquerading as a top of the order guy.  He never walks, and needs to bat 8th in games he starts (though I'd also like to see Adam Kennedy get more starts, too).

And Nyjer Morgan has reminded us why the lowly Pirates gave up on him last summer.  His defense has suffered this season, and he's never been good at getting on base.   Though speedy Morgan never seems to bunt for a base hit and also fails to walk much.  And to put the cherry on top of this mal-tasting sundae, he gets caught stealing as often as he's successful.  So other than being a mediocre fielder, bad hitter, and lackluster base stealer, he's having a great season.

Manager Jim Riggleman needs to give folks like Roger Bernandina, Ian Desmond or Kennedy a chance to hit at the top of the order, an idea that is picking up momentum on the blogosphere (at least).

Do or Die for Ellas

Tomorrow's game versus Nigeria - Thursday at 10 am eastern time - is a do or die game for Ellas.  It will be interesting to see how Greece responds after a lackluster performance versus Korea.  Hopefully Rehagel will make some long overdue changes to our line up, and Greece shows some thrasos versus Nigeria.


Specifically, I hope King Otto inserts Sotiris Ninis, the young and speedy Panathinaikos player and Liverpool's Sotiris Kyrgiakos, neither of whom got off the bench versus South Korea, into the starting lineup.  Greece could really use Ninis' energy and creativity and Kyrgiakos' presence (anyone is better than Louis Vyntra who really stunk versus Korea).  Finally, Rangers's Antonis Samaras needs to play as energetically as Fanis Gekas did.  Those two, along with Ninis, need to pace the Hellenic offense against Nigeria.


And we desperately need offense.  In four World Cup games Greece has yet to score, let alone lead or sniff a win.  But it's still doable.  Nigeria is no big deal, played a lackluster game versus Argentina, and are without their leading scorer.


But the real Greek key is if Ellas fights rather than display the annoying fatalism that has held us back, at least in Europe but not in the United States, since the fourth Crusade of 1204. Seven minutes into the game versus South Korea the fatalism took hold, and the game was over despite 83 minutes being left on the clock.  I think Ninis and Kyrgiakos can help hold the fatalism at bay, at least long enough to pick up 3 points.


Greece has to win versus Africa's largest country if they hope to even think about advancing out of their group.  Best case for Ellas is to defeat Nigeria and somehow tie Argentina next week, and finish with four points.  Even then, Greece needs lots of help to advance.  Korea has to lose to both Nigeria and Argentina.  If that happens Argentina will finish with 7 points (2 wins and a tie versus Greece), Greece with 4, Korea with 3, and Nigeria with 3 (their win over Korea).  


Of course, if Greece manages to defeat Nigeria AND upsets Argentina they should be home free with six points.  Looking at that scenario leads me to one logical conclusion: GO USA!

• If our goalkeeper, Tim Howard, is healthy I like the US's chances to make a deep run in the World Cup. A hot goalie can take a team a long way.
• A couple of Slovenian players have been talking a little smack prior to the game versus the U.S.  Note to Slovenians: I know we don't care about soccer, but invent rock and roll, jazz, baseball and basketball; have a Bill of Rights like ours; and develop TV shows like The Simpsons and Seinfeld before talking smack to the United States. 

Speaking of the United States, the baseball team representing our nation's capital seems to have hit a wall.  Prior to Straburg's call up, starting pitching was a strength of the Nationals.  But Lannan, Livo, and Atilano are in a collective funk, and J.D. Martin has not make anyone forget Scott Olson (how damning is that?).  The only good news is that after leaving Detroit the Nats host the White Sox and Royals, so a 6-game winning streak, potentially kicked off by Strasburg on Friday night, could be around the corner.

In addition to improved starting pitching I'd feel better about the Nats if Manager Jim Riggleman dropped Guzman and Morgan down in the order (to seventh and eighth, respectively).  Neither get on base enough - a real problem when you consider that Zimmerman, Dunn and Willingham have great on-base-plus-slugging numbers in the 3, 4 and 5 spots on the order. 

I say give Desmond and Bernardina a chance at the top of the order. 

Big sports weekend

A good sports week keep rolling this weekend, with Greece playing South Korea and the US taking on England in the World Cup tomorrow, Evan's Tigers playing for third place (unfortunately at the same time the US is playing), topped off with Strasburg's second start of the season. Oh yeah, game 5 of the NBA Finals, too.

I'm excited about the World Cup.  If Greece hopes to advance out of their group they have to beat South Korea.  Getting 3 points in the biggest meeting of Greece and Korea since the Private Charles Lamb episode of M*A*S*H is a must for Ellas.  Well, not really a must - a win over Nigeria is doable, too - but getting points tomorrow certainly is.  If Greece loses advancing will be very difficult.  Either, it's a mega game for Ellas.


The game is on the big screen in DuPont Circle, but a 7:30 kickoff likely means I will watch it from home (of course, if anyone is definitely going to DuPont tomorrow let me know).


But Greece Korea pales compared to US v. England.  I think we've got a chance of tying the Knights of Saint George, primarily due to our better goal keeping.  Tim Howard plays in the EPL so that should help.  


The US can lose and still advance out of their group; we're better than Algeria and Slovakia. The tilt versus the 3 Lions will be a great measuring stick for the US team even if we don't pick up points.  But here's betting that we pick up a point in a very exciting tie.


I didn't see much of the two ties today, between South Africa and Mexico, and France versus Uruguay, but the first one was a good game to watch and the second one made me a fan of Uruguay. Really hard to root for France this year despite their excellent national anthem.


Evan's last game of the season is tomorrow.  We thought his Tigers could win the Minor League title this year, but the team really stunk up the joint on Wednesday night so it's on to the consolation game.  The good news is that Evan had fun playing baseball this season, and was called up to the Majors twice.  


Finally, can't wait for Strasburg's next start on Sunday versus the Indians.  And now, after tonight's humbling loss to Manny Acta's Indians, taking the next 2 games of the series is even more important.  Adding insult to injury tonight was Austin Kearn's two homers against the Nats.  When a Jim Bowden Reds reject beats you it's a tough night.


On to the World Cup!

Best Nats Night Ever

I don't think it's a stretch to call tonight's 5-2 win over the Pirates - behind Steven Strasburg's 14 strikeouts - the best Nats game ever. 

The only comparable games are probably the first game in 2005. Or perhaps the first game in Nats Park, won by Ryan Zimmerman's walk off homer.  

But after both of those games the horizon for Washington baseball did not look as promising as the one you could see from this game.

Strasburg was almost better than advertised.  It's hard to imagine how you keep your emotions in check and stay in control on a night like tonight.  Not only is it your major league debut, which is intimidating enough for many players.  But to debut with so much hype, attention and hope - and still excel - is very impressive.  

Strasburg was as emotionally cool as his pitching was hot. And he was very hot.  His fast ball was clocked at 101 miles an hour.  His change up was clutch, and his pitches had so much late movement.  Tonight Strasburg was like a cross between Nolan Ryan's speed and aggressiveness with Greg Maddux's late movement and command.  Heck of a combo.

Finally, his numbers tell the story: 14 strikeouts, 0 walks, 2 runs in 7 innings; one win.

How cool was it to see the Nats best young hitter, Zimmerman, remind folks that he's still the teams best (position) player, getting 3 hits, scoring 3 runs and going deep in his first at bat.

It was a great win and a great night.  Strasburg dealing, and 3 bombs from the Nats bats.

But more importantly, it was tangible proof that we may actually have a real baseball team in town.  How cool is that?

Blogging Locally AND Globally

This summer is shaping up to be a good one, at least in the non-oil spill world.  
I'm not talking about the NBA Finals, which features two unlikable teams.  How unlikable is the Celtics franchise?  Even with Ra playing a prominent role I STILL can't root for the Cs.  


But can I really root 'for' the Lakers?  No.  

James Worthy played for the Lakers, so I guess I'd rather see the Cs lose.


But my summer will be spent following our resurgent Nats - with Steven Strasburg in town next week - and the World Cup - with my two favorite countries playing.


Nats Notes


How nice to have a real baseball team.  A 26-26 record one-third of the way into the season is cause for celebration enough, even better with Strasburg on the horizon.


For comparison, the Nats were 26-61 last year.  61 losses! 


The irony of Strasburg charging up this season is that the Nats' pitching has been pretty good. Livan Hernandez has been rejuvenated, John Lannan and Scott Olson (though his is currently fighting off shoulder problems) have turned their seasons around, and unheralded Luis Atalano has been above average.  Strasburg will likely take Craig Stammen's place, giving the Nats a pretty impressive starting rotation.


The bullpen, at least Burnett, Clippard and especially Matt Capps, has been excellent.  


The Nats' offense and defense have been bigger issues.  The middle of the order has been solid offensively, but Nyjer Morgan has been pretty weak at the top of the order, and has been equally bad in the field of late.


Manager Jim Riggleman dropped Morgan to second last night - with Guzman leading off - and the Nationals scored 14 runs, so maybe the batting order reordering will get the offense on track. 

But I'm not crazy about either of those guys, neither of whom walk much, at the top of the order. Instead of just flip flopping Guzman and Morgan, I'd move rookies Roger Bernandina and Ian Desmond to the top of the order and see how that works.

Finally, look for the Nats to go on a few more mini-winning streaks once Ivan Rodriguez returns from the DL. As great as Strasburg's arrival will be, getting Pudge back will probably be a bigger deal in the won-loss column. 


A few more Nats notes:

• I like the Nats' radio guys a lot.  Both Charlie Sloss and Dave Jaegler do a nice job.  On TV, Rob Dibble is not good; he doesn't do his homework and talks about himself a lot.  Rob Carpenter is a competent play-by-play man.  He's a little clichéd, but did make a surprising Simpsons reference the other night.
• The dude I love listening to is Ray Knight. He mainly does the pre- and post-game shows, but when he's in the booth as the color man he's excellent.  He doesn't hold back on the praise or the criticism.
• One snarky comment:  Manny Acta, who led the Nats to their 26-61 mark last year, is currently managing the Indians to a 19-31 record. So he's 45 and 92 in the last two seasons, a year after a 102-loss season for the Nats.  He must be really charming in the interview.

World Cup Fever 

I'm surprisingly geeked up about the pending World Cup. Maybe it's the fact that both the US and Greece are in, the spectacle, the event being in Africa, or the cool Bono-narrated ads, but either way I'm excited.


Both America and Ellas should advance out their group.  We have a very doable and exciting group.  The US kicks off with a potentially intriguing match versus England.  If we can hang with Knights of St. George it should give the US squad quite a bit of confidence.  But no matter what happens versus England the US should handle Slovenia and Algeria, and advance to the round of 16.


Greece has a tougher group, with Argentina the favorite.  Greece has been pretty uninspiring since running the table and winning the 2004 European Championship in one of the biggest upsets in sports.  Greece will get outclassed by Argentina, but I bet Ellas will defeat both Nigeria and South Korea (or at least win one and tie one) to advance out of their group.  

Neither of those nations play an attacking style of football, so look for Greece's defense to keep both Nigeria and South Korea from scoring.  Conversely, as we did in 2004, Greece will do enough from set pieces to win/ties, and pick up 4 to 6 points and advance.


One cynical note. Having the World Cup in Africa, especially South Africa, is a tribute to Nelson Mandela.  And holding the event in Africa for the first time is also recognition that the continent is making strides towards stability and progress. 


But is it really a celebration of Africa when the World Cup is held in one of the two countries that used to be ruled, and an infrastructure built, by a racist, apartheid regime? On the other hand, South Africa has faired much, much better since majority rule was established than Zimbabwe has, a testament to the confident, wise, and strong leadership of Mandela.  

However, an event like the World Cup will truly be a celebration for Africa if it's held in Addis Ababa (my favorite since Ethiopia is the only African nation never to be have colonized by Europeans) or Abidjan (home of Didier Drogba and probably the most prosperous city in west Africa) or Lagos (largest city in what should be the wealthiest country in west Africa) - or Harare - rather than South Africa.