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Adrian Frater, News Editor
Former national striker Teofore Bennett was not around last week when Jamaica started their 'Back to Africa 2010' World Cup campaign as, interestingly, the wily striker is already in Africa, albeit on a different mission.
Bennett, who came to prominence locally after representing Cedric Titus High School in the daCosta Cup and Village United FC in the National Premier League prior to breaking into the national team, is now plying his trade in Angola, representing the Division One outfit Petro Atletico.
"The motherland is treating me very well. In fact, I am very surprised by the reception I have been getting here," said Bennett. "It is only in Europe that I have seen people showing the love I am seeing here. In addition, they are crazy for football."
Language challenge
Bennett, who previously played professionally in Sweden for Osters FC, said he is enjoying the challenge of playing football in Africa. According to him, while he is faced with a language challenge, since Portuguese, and not English, is the language in Angola, he is, nonetheless, enjoying the people, the culture and especially the football.
"I am coping well and doing just fine in terms of my football," said Bennett. "My team is doing extremely well, we have lost only once in the competition and we are actually leading the league by four points."
In terms of his personal performance, the speedy striker, who has scored four goals for Jamaica, including the Reggae Boyz's impressive 1-1 draw against the United States in North Carolina in 2006, has scored five goals for his club so far, which makes him the team's second leading goalscorer.
Undaunted
While he has not earned a national call-up since the return of technical director Rene Simoes, Bennett is undaunted, and is still hopeful that he will find himself back into the national mix before the team to South Africa is selected.
"I also take pleasure in representing my country and would welcome any invitation to join the team," said Bennett. "I am hopeful that the news from here in Angola will filter back into Jamaica and catch the attention of the coaches."
Should Jamaica require his service, Bennett should be very sharp as his team, which is a many-time Angolan champion, has several Angolan national players in their line-up. The national players in the team include goalkeeper Lama, defenders Miro and Lebo-Lebo, midfielders Chinho, Manucho and Xara, and striker Santana.
"I am here doing some hard work and keeping myself in good shape so that I will be ready if Jamaica needs me," said Bennett. "I just want to say blessing to all Jamaica from Zion."
Former national striker Teofore Bennett was not around last week when Jamaica started their 'Back to Africa 2010' World Cup campaign as, interestingly, the wily striker is already in Africa, albeit on a different mission.
Bennett, who came to prominence locally after representing Cedric Titus High School in the daCosta Cup and Village United FC in the National Premier League prior to breaking into the national team, is now plying his trade in Angola, representing the Division One outfit Petro Atletico.
"The motherland is treating me very well. In fact, I am very surprised by the reception I have been getting here," said Bennett. "It is only in Europe that I have seen people showing the love I am seeing here. In addition, they are crazy for football."
Language challenge
Bennett, who previously played professionally in Sweden for Osters FC, said he is enjoying the challenge of playing football in Africa. According to him, while he is faced with a language challenge, since Portuguese, and not English, is the language in Angola, he is, nonetheless, enjoying the people, the culture and especially the football.
"I am coping well and doing just fine in terms of my football," said Bennett. "My team is doing extremely well, we have lost only once in the competition and we are actually leading the league by four points."
In terms of his personal performance, the speedy striker, who has scored four goals for Jamaica, including the Reggae Boyz's impressive 1-1 draw against the United States in North Carolina in 2006, has scored five goals for his club so far, which makes him the team's second leading goalscorer.
Undaunted
While he has not earned a national call-up since the return of technical director Rene Simoes, Bennett is undaunted, and is still hopeful that he will find himself back into the national mix before the team to South Africa is selected.
"I also take pleasure in representing my country and would welcome any invitation to join the team," said Bennett. "I am hopeful that the news from here in Angola will filter back into Jamaica and catch the attention of the coaches."
Should Jamaica require his service, Bennett should be very sharp as his team, which is a many-time Angolan champion, has several Angolan national players in their line-up. The national players in the team include goalkeeper Lama, defenders Miro and Lebo-Lebo, midfielders Chinho, Manucho and Xara, and striker Santana.
"I am here doing some hard work and keeping myself in good shape so that I will be ready if Jamaica needs me," said Bennett. "I just want to say blessing to all Jamaica from Zion."
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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