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| "Everyone's Ghanaian at World Cup!" |
The World Cup is an event anticipated and celebrated around
the world, but for the people of Ghana, it has become an event of
national importance as their men's team, the Black Stars, not only
qualified in 2006 and 2010, but became loveable underdogs who defied
expectations and made the pundits reconsider the capabilities of
Africans. Indeed, its one of the few times that the world gets to know
an African country, even if only its wealthy, athletic males.
For Ghana, there is no other sport (although field hockey
remains perplexingly persistent). So every qualifier, friendly, injury,
transfer and coaching choice is scrutinized by every Ghanaian.. Is the
training adequate? Should the coach be local or European? Will the
captain get enough top-level experience playing in the Emirates?
Curious characters come out of the woodwork as well. The Government of Ghana sponsors a delegation that includes politicians, national football association reps, booster club members and all sorts of hangers-on. Even curiouser, there is an unusual Ghanaian element this year, as a well-known fetish priest claimed to place a hex on Portuguese opponent (and perhaps the world's best footballer) Christiano Ronaldo.
The excitement has snared Mr. O, who became a convert and
faithful follower of the Black Stars, joining the legions of fans
watching the matches, whether on giant flat screens in spacious living rooms or
small boxes in drinking spots and shops. He even saw them qualify in 2005 and 2013. Counting down the days (and even months) was a regular habit for him. He was quite excited, even though Ghana drew for the third time a "Group of Death" with Germany, the United States and Portugal.
For the opening match versus rivals the United
States, Mr. O was in the remote Upper West Region outside a simple bar
in Wa watching the match under the stars (seriously, there is almost zero
outdoor light in Wa). This was the match that was considered a lock, as Ghana had beaten the US in 2006 and 2010, but the Americans were out for revenge. The Black Stars quickly got behind and spent the match trying to reclaim their mojo, losing 2-1 and missing out on key points needed to advance to the knockout stage.
For their second match, Ghana was up against the powerhouse Germany, the match the Black Stars were certain to lose. However, the plucky Ghanaians actually got ahead 2-1 before Germany equalized for a draw. In the end, Germany won every other match and the cup, so at the least, Ghana can claim that it was the only team the champions couldn't beat.
By the third and final match, it all came down to which team would have the highest total points and goal differential. Suddenly, every Ghanaian became a mathematician (someone should apply this to encourage kids to learn arithmetic). In short: if Germany beat the US and Ghana beat Portgual, the Black Stars were in. However, while Germany did its part, Ghana - or at least Asamoah Gyan - tried but came up tragically short, losing 2-1 to an anemic Portugal who was already eliminated. (Ironically, the hexed Ronaldo scored the game-winner).
And so for the first time, mighty Ghana failed to progress to the knockout round. The qualifiers overall were very exciting, with plenty of goals (Van Persie's header!) and shockers (Spain collapses! Suarez bites someone again!) and the knockouts were entertaining, although low-scoring and straightforward (Brazil's epic 7-1 loss to Germany aside). Soon enough, it will be the African Cup of Nations next year, then by 2017 qualifiers for the next World Cup. In 2014, Ghana fielded one of the youngest teams, which bodes well for the future. You can be sure that wherever he may be, Mr. O will be dusting off his lucky jersey then.
POST SCRIPT: Mr. O recently finished a highly engrossing book by British journalist Declan Hill called "The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime". His research has yielded some very unsettling allegations of bribery against the Ghana Football Association and individual players, including allegations of match-fixing at the 2006 World Cup. Given the history of the team, some unusual playing in key matches and a public dispute over players' bonuses that ended in money flown from Ghana to Brazil, speculation on the possibility of match-fixing is rife in Mr. O's head these days.
"Say it ain't so, Gyan!"
