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The smile returns to Ghana
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 29 January 2008
Ghana is known as one of the friendliest countries in all of Africa, but things have been strangely testy in the capital of Accra after two victorious but seriously shaky performances to open the hosts' CAF Africa Cup of Nations account. The abuse of the team reached such fever pitch during the 1-0 victory over Namibia that two players - brothers Asamoah and Baffour Gyan - had their bags packed and were ready to leave the team this weekend, and even the President of the country went on TV to urge supporters and media to be patient.
With local newspapers continuing to exhort the team to do better in their last group game against Morocco, so that they could stay in their home base of Accra, pressure was high before the opening whistle at the Ohene Djan ground. However, with two goals in the first half that held up in an impressive 2-0 victory, yellow-clad fans around the stadium were in amazing voice with plenty of time to celebrate through the match.
"It's amazing. These people could teach Canadian hockey fans something about passion," said Kelly Shouldice, a 29-year-old Canuck traveller at the match quite by chance. "It's so high-energy here. Winning makes the people deeply, deeply happy, you can tell. They all hug each other after the goals and jump up and down."
The up-and-down mood swings are befitting both the pressure of a country hosting its first Cup of Nations solo since 1978 as well as their role as an emerging football power hoping desperately to make a major impact on the world at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa ™.
First things come first though, and all expectations are on the side to win the African finals on their home soil.
"It would mean so much to us. It's hard to comprehend from the outside, but it would be wonderful, fabulous, tremendous if they could win this tournament here for us," said 26-year-old professional Haruna Hussein at the stadium. "People here get so thrilled, unbelievably so, when the Stars win."
And though most don't think this team is as good as in the halcyon days of Abedi Pele, who led the Black Stars to their last African crown in 1982, they do think that the likes of Michael Essien can continue to increase Ghana's profile throughout the world, which seems to instil a genuine sense of pride in most Ghanaians. "Look at our stars - we are as good as any team in Africa. So, playing at home, why shouldn't we win it?" asked Isaac Addoah, who was there with his small children (both in Essien shirts). "I can't think of a better way to present Ghana to the world than this stadium and this atmosphere."
"There's no way people can understand," said teenager Jacob Oko Mensah. "It's very important for us, for real. Very big in our lives to have the Stars do so well. And for Africans, this is our championship, so we take a lot of pride in doing well."
"We can make it in life, and in football - that's what these great players show," Enoch Paukwasi said between celebratory screams into his cell phone. "This team is united, and so is Ghana. You can see that in this crowd. It makes me proud."
Morocco beaten and all's forgiven
And what of the whistles and boos directed at profligate striker Asamoah Gyan in the previous match? "People were too hard on him, for sure," continued Paukwasi. "But, we know football and we know that the coach is just getting his team into the tournament. We will be fine."
It's a sentiment echoed by none other than Chelsea man and Black Star Essien, who said with a wide smile after scoring a stunner in the Morocco match: "To be honest, I think we are ready to win the tournament now."
And West Ham defender John Paintsil revealed that the joy in the stadium also made its way into the locker room after the contest. "The jubilation was fantastic. So much pressure came off of us. But, not too much because we know it's a long road ahead in this tournament. The press wants us to score goals and they have been hard on us, but as long as we keep winning, we don't care."
All of Accra and Ghana agrees.
* Story courtesy of African Football Media (AFM)
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 29 January 2008
Ghana is known as one of the friendliest countries in all of Africa, but things have been strangely testy in the capital of Accra after two victorious but seriously shaky performances to open the hosts' CAF Africa Cup of Nations account. The abuse of the team reached such fever pitch during the 1-0 victory over Namibia that two players - brothers Asamoah and Baffour Gyan - had their bags packed and were ready to leave the team this weekend, and even the President of the country went on TV to urge supporters and media to be patient.
With local newspapers continuing to exhort the team to do better in their last group game against Morocco, so that they could stay in their home base of Accra, pressure was high before the opening whistle at the Ohene Djan ground. However, with two goals in the first half that held up in an impressive 2-0 victory, yellow-clad fans around the stadium were in amazing voice with plenty of time to celebrate through the match.
"It's amazing. These people could teach Canadian hockey fans something about passion," said Kelly Shouldice, a 29-year-old Canuck traveller at the match quite by chance. "It's so high-energy here. Winning makes the people deeply, deeply happy, you can tell. They all hug each other after the goals and jump up and down."
The up-and-down mood swings are befitting both the pressure of a country hosting its first Cup of Nations solo since 1978 as well as their role as an emerging football power hoping desperately to make a major impact on the world at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa ™.
First things come first though, and all expectations are on the side to win the African finals on their home soil.
"It would mean so much to us. It's hard to comprehend from the outside, but it would be wonderful, fabulous, tremendous if they could win this tournament here for us," said 26-year-old professional Haruna Hussein at the stadium. "People here get so thrilled, unbelievably so, when the Stars win."
And though most don't think this team is as good as in the halcyon days of Abedi Pele, who led the Black Stars to their last African crown in 1982, they do think that the likes of Michael Essien can continue to increase Ghana's profile throughout the world, which seems to instil a genuine sense of pride in most Ghanaians. "Look at our stars - we are as good as any team in Africa. So, playing at home, why shouldn't we win it?" asked Isaac Addoah, who was there with his small children (both in Essien shirts). "I can't think of a better way to present Ghana to the world than this stadium and this atmosphere."
"There's no way people can understand," said teenager Jacob Oko Mensah. "It's very important for us, for real. Very big in our lives to have the Stars do so well. And for Africans, this is our championship, so we take a lot of pride in doing well."
"We can make it in life, and in football - that's what these great players show," Enoch Paukwasi said between celebratory screams into his cell phone. "This team is united, and so is Ghana. You can see that in this crowd. It makes me proud."
Morocco beaten and all's forgiven
And what of the whistles and boos directed at profligate striker Asamoah Gyan in the previous match? "People were too hard on him, for sure," continued Paukwasi. "But, we know football and we know that the coach is just getting his team into the tournament. We will be fine."
It's a sentiment echoed by none other than Chelsea man and Black Star Essien, who said with a wide smile after scoring a stunner in the Morocco match: "To be honest, I think we are ready to win the tournament now."
And West Ham defender John Paintsil revealed that the joy in the stadium also made its way into the locker room after the contest. "The jubilation was fantastic. So much pressure came off of us. But, not too much because we know it's a long road ahead in this tournament. The press wants us to score goals and they have been hard on us, but as long as we keep winning, we don't care."
All of Accra and Ghana agrees.
* Story courtesy of African Football Media (AFM)