LATELY footballers have developed some unique way of celebrating goals depending on the occasion or intensity of a particular match.
Former Chipolopolo skipper, Christopher Katongo became popular for his backflips whenever he scored either for the national team or club.
What about the robotic moves by lanky English foward, Peter Crouch whenever celebrating his strikes.
How about Roger Milla’s famous wiggle. The Camerounian marked his goals with his manic hip-gyrating by the corner flag.
Some of the celebrations have been colourful while others have attracted the wrath of the referees and even the FAs.
For example, Italian striker, Paolo Di Canio ended up being suspended for a match and fined by the Italian FA after making a fascist salute while playing for Lazio against Juventus.
Footballers can also be cautioned for taking off their shirts after scoring or trying to incite the crowd while celebrating.
However, with the latest technology of smart phones available, some players have resorted to taking selfies when celebrating goals.
Some few years ago in England, Scunthorpe goalkeeper Sam Slocombe was so bored watching his side whip Portsmouth 5-0 that he posed for a selfie with a couple of fans.
In the United States of America Major Soccer League, Sporting Kansas City’s Dom Dwyer stunned a crowd by taking a selfie after scoring but ended up getting a yellow card for his troubles.
Veteran Italian striker, Francesco Totti took a selfie picture while celebrating the two goals he scored for Roma against bitter rivals, Lazio.
Totti, who knew that eyes will be on him for this crucial fixture, was handed a mobile phone by one of the coaching staff.
Roma captain, Totti, took a selfie photo while celebrating his side recovering from 2-0 down against Lazio.
It was the first time that a Serie A player had taken a celebratory selfie and that lack of past precedent saw Totti escape a booking.
This selfie culture has finally hit the Zambian sport.
Last weekend, Zanaco striker, Moses Phiri celebrated his winning goal against Nkana by taking a selfie with team mates on the pitch.
This took most of the people at the stadium by surprise when Phiri took a selfie with his colleagues.
After scoring the only goal of this Week 24 match, Phiri rushed to the Zanaco technical area where he got a mobile phone from one of the officials on the bench.
It is however not clear why Phiri escaped punishment from referee Wellington Kaoma.
Maybe Kaoma decided not to book him because it was the first time in the MTN-FAZ Super League or probably he was not aware that it was a bookable offence.
Zanaco and all clubs in Zambia need to educate their players on the ‘dos and don’ts’ on the pitch.
The players need to know that taking selfies is punishable just like removing a shirt on the pitch when the game is still in progress.
Footballers should not just following blindly on the latest trends in the western world without a clear understanding of the consequencies.
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