Ghana unites as one in soccer

By Caesar Abagali, GNA Sports Feature

Tamale, Oct. 21, GNA - The National U-20 football team, the Black Satellites last Friday did what has never been done in the country before or even in the history of Africa soccer when they annexed the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

With 10 able men the Satellites courageously and ably beat a formidable Brazil side 4-3 on penalties to lift the world cup in Egypt. Brazil is a team that most connoisseurs thought the Satellites had no dog's chance to beat especially when Ghana lost a central defender in the first department of the game. It was the thought of many football fans that it was virtually impossible to beat the 'mighty' Brazil because the South Americans had won the cup four times while the Satellites had only managed to reach the finals on two occasions one of which they lost to Brazil.

The doubting "Thomases" were, however, right to think that Brazil was a formidable side and unbeatable but what most thought was impossible has been achieved by the heroic Satellites. This feat is only a prelude to what can happen in the theatre of world football by the senior side as they enplane to the South Africa 2010 World Cup also on Africa soil.

There are many Ghanaians who would not yield an inch of belief that the Black Stars can lift the Senior World Cup but just as the Satellites annexed the U-20 World Cup so can it be said that the Black Stars are capable of lifting the World Cup too. The latest achievement is one signal to all and sundry that what is required is a psychological tune up of 'our mentality' and things so that those people who still think that it is impossible would rethink since while others were able to achieve it Ghana can also make it if we dedicate our minds towards that objective.

That singular objective as far as soccer is concerned today is for the winning of the World Cup so that Ghana will continue its forward match towards joining the supreme countries of the world in the arena of football. What the Satellites did last Friday is a manifestation that Ghana is leading a crusade to signify that what the whiteman can do the Blackman too can do and even do it better. Again the unity, jubilation and euphoria that welcomed the victory in the country and Africa as a whole also serves as a prelude to ensuring lasting peace and for better things to follow. The victory of the Satellites was not achieved on a silver platter but as a result of dedication, hard work, resilience and determination of a group who were playing against an 11-member team and no less a country than Brazil. The feat is an indication that Ghana always reigns supreme in youth soccer and that achievement is a hard nut to crack. This is manifested in the success story of South Korea - 2007 when the U-17 national team under the same coach Sellas Tetteh eliminated Brazil in the knock-out stage with ten men. Even though the Satellites were working against the bias of a number of referees they persevered and danced to victory.

These individual players have done what the historical "Napoleon" could not do to fight with ten men to ensure that the U-20 world cup did not leave the Africa soil, where the event was hosted. It is the hope of all Ghanaians that this is the beginning of greater things to come and the national team should learn from the determination of this committed group of young men who have made it possible for the country to raise its shoulders very high on the continent and beyond, which would at the moment be named as the leading country in soccer as far as Junior World Cups are concerned.

It is not only the winning of the Cup that has been very important to the development of the country but the manner in which the victory of the Satellites was made manifest and to unite Ghana into one but not two and for which all peace loving citizens should commend. The question then is why should Ghanaians not replicate the victory that united the country in their life time to ensure that there is lasting peace in the country. Just after Agyeman Badu converted a neat penalty to hand the Ghanaians with the victory, the whole country shouted in unison and in one voice but not in political, ethnic or religious voices, and which demands that every one in the country should let it be a guarding principle towards peace and national development. This is an indication that if God willing Ghana wins the South Africa 2010, former Presidents' Kufuor and Rawlings would jubilate on the same street; Nana Akuffo Addo would mount the same platform with President Mills to receive the Cup and all ethnic rivals in the country would drink and dine together and accept the fact that indeed Ghana is one with a common goal.

Motivation:

Motivation has been a key issue in every aspect of our national psyche and just before the Satellites reached the finals, the Ministry of Youth and Sports had paid winning bonuses up to the semi final stage in advance and what was then required was for the boys to win and take what was due them. This is a clear testimony that the ministry and government understands that against all odds the boys were going to reach the finals and to lift the Cup, which commendation must be given to the government and the Minister of Youth and Sports and his able assistants. This is an indication that if civil servants are given the necessary motivation they can work harder to improve the country's economy.

The feat of the Satellites leaves rhetorical questions in the minds of many as to what is wrong with the other sporting events such as hockey, table tennis, boxing, athletics and volley ball, which seem to have been buried in the country.

Vice President and God:

The Vice President John Dramani Mahama, in welcoming the boys from the land of Pharaoh (Egypt) where Ghana made history remarked that "God is a Ghanaian that is why under trying situations the boys persevered and won the Cup".

The writer agrees with the Vice President due to the struggle and considering that the event took place on the Africa soil and despite the numerical disadvantage of the Satellites and Brazil already winning the Cup four times they won the sympathy of Ghana. Mr Mahama was therefore right to summarize and say that God is truly a Ghanaian and it is clear that God was on our side right from the whistle of the referee and throwing away two penalties during the shoot out nearly discouraged every one including coach Sellas Tetteh but for the Satellites to emerge victorious is really a wonderful gift from God and we must all give our thanks to the Almighty God or Allah.