With yesterday's opening of the 2014 World Cup, there have been ‘discussions’ on whether these matches will have an effect on relationships. There have been claims that some shady people will likely use World Cup as an excuse to indulge in mischief.  The craze associated with World Cup is so grand that simple fights over the remote control become the order of the day. Doreen Umutesi asked a few women about the relationship constrains that come with the World Cup fever.

There is all this excitement about the World Cup because football is the most loved sport if I’m not wrong. But I don’t think that its hype should strain relationships. I think instead the whole excitement should bring couples together. This should be the time for couples to go out and watch the game together and have fun or enjoy the game in the comfort of their home. It’s even more exciting if the couple supports differing teams. 

Teta Mpyisi, MTN corporate communications and public relations manager

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I actually don’t love soccer at all and I can’t even force myself to watch a game even for a minute but that does not mean I will stand in the way of anyone who enjoys it. Simple advice to women who don’t enjoy the sport, let the soccer fans be, whether it’s your husband or boyfriend, the world cup craze is going to be around for just a few weeks and before you know it, it’s gone and life is back to normal. 

Claudine Utuje Mwangachuchu, Makeup Artist

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I think this is the time for couples to bond and enjoy the sport than have fights over what time the spouse came home from watching a match. I would advise some women who are not football fans to embrace more of the game now and learn different rules about the game. By the end of the world cup season, they will have grasped a lot and they will end up accompanying their boyfriends to watch other exciting football leagues that are underway.  There is nothing as beautiful as watching a score game with someone who understands it. If it’s a sacrifice they are willing to make to learn the game, I know they will love it in the long run. But the world cup craze should not affect relationships at all. 

Usher Komugisha, Communication director, Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee

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Personally, I don’t see the problem with the timing of the World Cup games or the hype in regards to affecting relationships. We have to expect the craze because it happens once every four years. I advise couples out there to join their spouses, girlfriend or boyfriends and enjoy the moment than spend time having petty fights. Like for instance the schedule for the games, it’s the time zone factor; it’s not that football fans planned with FIFA to have the games scheduled late in the night. 

Carol Nderitu, Karaoke host.

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I think I would be pretending if I sat on the couch to watch football. I think that I would stock up on movies, series and books and leave him to enjoy himself as I enjoy my own stuff. I know so well that I can’t win in the debate about my shows versus his games so I would just let him have his way. The good thing about such tournaments is that guys don’t actually pick interest in each and every game, so, that is a balanced way for both parties to enjoy TV. You watch when he isn’t. I can assure you, after World Cup, I will be the sole owner and user of that remote. 

Nasra Bishumba, Copywriter

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I’m not a soccer fan per say, though I can watch a few games here and there but I don’t think the world cup craze should affect relationships.  I think when you care about someone so much; you respect their views and passion towards certain aspects and a sport could be one of them. Instead of fighting, I think you can join in on the fun. 

Colombe Ituze Ndutiye, Fashion designer and Proprietor of INCO Icyusa

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Honestly speaking I can’t stand the fuss about world cup. There is nothing as irritating as seeing grown ups busy arguing over how one team played, how they were cheated, to the extent that they want to go for each other’s throats. If only they could spare us because the noise they make is uncalled for. 

Winne Kamikazi, Sales representative

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Some relationships are going to be affected because of World Cup most especially in situations where a spouse or girlfriend or boyfriend is not a football fanatic. There will be need to set some ground rules that are agreeable for the couple.  For instance if there is a situation where the husband decides to bring his soccer friends to watch the games from home every single day, that will be straining for the wife or girlfriend thus affecting the relationship. Nothing can be done about the timing of the game is. 

 Francine Umutoni, Primus brand manager 

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If he finds his way to another television, we won’t have a problem. But I am not giving up my programmes for a game, that one is for certain. 

Helen P,  Accountant