Maybe it is time for Yanick Djouzi Manzizila to update his highlights video on YouTube.
Because earlier this week, the Swede broke a 60-year-old national scoring record with 21 goals in a single game. In the most recent video of him I found online – it was uploaded two years ago – Manzizila did a good job of spreading the field and hugging the left flank. But at no point, not once during this excruciating four-minute video, did he put the ball in the net.
I don’t think he even managed a shot on goal.
Now he has 21 reasons to replace this video. I just hope someone at this Division Seven league match was diligent with the video camera option on their mobile phone.
Because, unfortunately, that guady amount of goals will not be added to Manzizila’s season tally after his demoralised opponents quit the league.
Manzizila scored almost at will for Kongo United as they beat Balrog Botkyrka Sodertaelje – who had three players sent off – 30-0 in their Division Seven league clash.
“I’d scored 12 goals against them previously, so I knew there was a chance to score a lot of goals,” Manzizila told the Sportbladet newspaper.
With twin brother Alex as playmaker and facing eight players by the end of the match, Manzizila had it all too easy against a team that had failed to earn a point all season.
Swedish football historian and statistician Claes-Goran Bengtsson confirmed that 21 goals in a game was a Swedish record, but the gloss was taken off Manzizila’s achievement when Balrog subsequently withdrew from the league.
Their decision means the 21 goals will be chalked off – as will all the team’s results for the season – although Manzizila’s individual scoring record will stand.
“There’s not much that can be done about it,” Manzizila said on receiving the news that his goals would not count towards his season target.
“I’ll have to be happy with the fact that I broke [the record] and continue to focus on scoring a hundred goals instead.”
Sounds delightful, Mr Century Man. Just do everyone a favour and make sure a video camera is rolling next time.
If you feel like wasting the next four minutes of your life, be sure to play the video clip below...
agray@thenational.ae
