Russia 2018 World Cup Notebook - Day 17
What you need to know:
- According to the World Bank, Russia’s economy has returned to modest growth amidst positive global growth, a recovery in trade, rising oil prices, and growing macroeconomic stability.
Oil, natural gas drive economy here
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According to the World Bank, Russia’s economy has returned to modest growth amidst positive global growth, a recovery in trade, rising oil prices, and growing macroeconomic stability. These have shored up consumer demand and consumption as the business environment improves, thereby supporting the projections that Russia’s economy will grow by 1.7 per cent in 2018, and 1.8 per cent in 2019. Russia has huge deposits of oil, natural gas and precious metals, which make up a major share of the country’s exports. Russia has the world's largest proven natural gas reserves.
Much softer variety of ‘ugali’ is available
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After days of eating at the restaurant in our hotel, we ventured out to look for some African food in Moscow. We ended up at 'Avenue', a hotel on Leninsky Avenue mostly patronised by Africans because of the food it serves. Avenue Hotel specialises in African cuisine and patrons are mainly African students and teaching staff at the Friendship (Lumumba) University of Russia.
One of the items on the menu is ‘Manka’, a softer version of ugali with a touch of mashed potatoes.
A serving of Manka and ‘fish stems in coconut soup’ costs 500 Russian rubles (Sh850).
English fans bank on lethal Kane
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England lost their last match in Group ‘G’ against Belgium 1-0 but the Three Lions had done enough to finish second in the group to reach the last 16.
And now, a small band of loud English fans has descended on Moscow to support their team against Colombia on Tuesday in their knock-out stage match at Spartak Stadium. With Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane leading the scorers’ chart on five goals, some English fans actually believe their team can go all the way to win the tournament.
Will lethal Kane carry Three Lions to the final?
Minnows Panama draw some positives
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Television audiences around the world were treated to a feast of goals last Sunday when England hit Panama 6-1 in a Group ‘G’ match, while Japan and Senegal played out a pulsating 2-2 draw.
Felipe Baloy scored the lone goal for rank outsiders Panama. Panama may have been flattened in the match, but Baloy made history by scoring Panama’s first ever goal in the World Cup as the country made its first appearance at the tournament.
The image of Baloy jumping high and pumping his first in the air in celebration after scoring the historic goal will remain with Panama fans for a long time.
