Highlights on Norway - Ghana Football Match (3-2) by (K.A. Buabeng)

Hi Lovers of the Global Leather,

I am sorry to inform you that our beloved Black Stars lost 3 - 2 to the Norwegian side last night although we out- played the home team by far. Far from what they thought was going to be a repetition of the dose forced down the throats of the Cameroonian national team after their impressive world cup performance in 1990 or so, the Black Stars treated the Norwegians to real artistic soccer leaving them sitting on thorns throughout the 90 minutes.

The stadium was Ulleval and as predicted by a colleague at Bergen (Norway), this time Jostein Flo with 6 feet +(height) was fielded and from the very beginning the Norwegians mounted their attacks in the air. No wonder they scored their last 2 goals through Flo`s header passes.

The First Goal: Barely some few minutes after commencing the match the referee from Finland awarded a penalty to the home team. Apparently, Nanabenyin Crentsil in an attempt to grab a threatening ball for the second time, collided with/in Jan Fj rtoft and the resultant penalty taken by Rekdal Kjetil gave the home team 1 goal up.

The Equalizer: The maestro - Abedi Pele also expertly took one of the world class free kicks just outside the Norwegian penalty box when Yaw Preko who was a thorn in the flesh of the Norwegian defenders was heavily brought down. The ball penetrated the human wall hitting the back of the net.

At the end of the First Half - Norway 1 , Ghana 1.

The Second Half and the Norwegian 2nd Goal : Around the 50th minute or so, Nanbenyin was forced out of the goal to make a save but, he again fumbled and Flo s header found Fj rtoft who loosely slotted the ball into our net. Norway at this time was leading 2 goals to 1

The Norwegian 3rd goal: Just 3 minutes later a thunderous shot from the feet of Fj rtoft found our net again when the tallest attacker for the Norwegians out-jumped Kuffour and headed the ball to Fj rtoft who was then unmarked standing right in our 18 box. The entire Norwegian supporters were on their feet to welcome that goal because the 2 - 1 lead was too slim from the way the Black Stars were playing and making good use of the empty spaces.

Ghana`s 2nd Goal: In a good position to score, Tony Yeboah was brought down in the penalty box and again, Pele made no mistake at all by hitting the back of the net. The scores stood at 3 - 2 in favour of Norway with the Stars dominating the exchanges at midfield.

The equalizer nearly came our way when Yaw Preko picked a loose ball around the center circle and sped into the Norwegian 18 box, outwitting 2 defenders on a role, and with what seems like an empty net in front of him, Yaw shot wide to the dismay of Ghanaian fans at the stadium. Akunnor also had one of the chances which could have saved us, when a well-calculated pass from Pele found in a good position to score but he shot the ball into the waiting arms of the Norwegian goal-keeper (Erik Thorstverdt).

The Norwegians nearly had their 4th goal in the very last minute when Fj rtoft hit the cross bar. *** Although we lost the match, the Black Stars have left a very good mark in Norway and today, every "darky" in Norway is proud of Ghana. We possesed the ball most of the time but luck was not on our side to get the equalizer. Personally, these people were my men of the match; Pele (in top form), Yaw Preko (too hot to handle), Isaac Asare (cool and collected), Sam Johnson (very impressive), Kuffour (strong tower). WELL DONE! Ayi Koo!! ****

It was reported in one paper that Fj rtoft was adjudged the best player of the match. But he in turn named Pele as the best player and urged all the young boys in Norway to start training hard in order to reach Pele`s level. According to him such a player is needed to beef-up their team.

The match was played as scheduled. Unfortunately, we lost 3-2. Please dont feel worried about the final results. We outplayed the guys so much that their press in todays newpapers said it was due to luck that they won. The norwegians are very tall and this makes me remember super OD s discription of the Nigerians in his commentary.

We had this height problem but the guys gave us something to be proud of and I must say, watch it for yourself. Afie people watched it live thanks to Scancem, the mother co. of Ghacem. The Norwegians scored first through a controversial penalty.

Afterwards, The Ogyakromian guys got their feet to the ball and oh God, it was marvellous. Abedi finished a beautiful move from Yeboah which gave us the equalizer. 2 quicks goal in the early part of the 2nd half saw the Norge guys ahead. Despite being down, our guys with captain Abedi fought hard and were able to get a goal through a penalty when Yeboah was pulled down in his bid to score.

Yaw Preko and C.K. Akonor missed some chances that could have made us the winners or at least given us a draw. All the same, I must say we are proud of the boys. Short Isaac Asare was given a giant to handle and a comment in this mornings papers said he stood face to face with him. He handled his man very well even though a header from the giant to a colleage gave them a goal. The norge guys used their height advantage to get their 2 last goals.

After the match, what we realised was that the guys realy need longer time to train together as a team. Some of the players like C.K. came the morning of the match. I dont blame him since he wasnt released on time. We didnt even expect him around . The infor I got was that Fortuna Koln his team has a crucial match on Saturday which will determine whether they stay in the current league or are relegated. I therefore see the formation of the "Black Stars for World Cup 98" a step in the right direction.

As Nana Brew Butler pointed at a reception held in the teams honour by the Ghanaian community here, it cost adout 18,000 US dollors to get a few of the proffs down to play for the nation. I know many will say that is the governments duty but I must say that this is something the government seems not able to afford. We should all help in one way or the other to acheive this goal. We should stop relying on the government. LET US DO SOMETHING BROTHERS AND SISTERS. Nothing is to small to qoute Nana Butler, the GFA chairman. Amanfour, let us all stand up and help. Thus ends my speech.

I need help too. I am writing an essay on the transferability of the Newly Industrializing countries model of econ. devt. to poorer 3rd World countries. Is it possible. I need some apo. To Azar, Andy and the rest, I will cry my dear capecoaster s cry- Somebody help me please. I also have the match on cassette so if any one is interested, get my ear to hear. God bless to you alll.

Comments from Norw. newspapers: