Stars' victory throws Tamale fans into wild jubilation

Tamale, Feb. 3, GNA - There was an "aroma" of victory as various voices pervaded all over the Tamale Metropolis amid singing in unison after the Black Stars of Ghana ensured a 2-1 victory over their Nigerian Super Eagles to qualify into the semi finals.

From SSNIT Flats to Kukuo; Kalpohin to Vintin; Fuo to Sakasaka; Atta Essibi to Nyohini; all in the Metropolis, there was massive jubilation at all the major roads as all manner of people made up of all ages went into joyful celebration with the noise pervading the air as though the people of Dagbon were celebrating their annual fire festival. The fans poured onto the streets in their numbers and temporary blocked vehicular movement, particularly long distance vehicles on the main Hospital Town Centre road leading to Bolgatanga and on the main Tamale - Kintampo road.

Motor and bicycle riders were once again at their best as they displayed individual riding antics while drivers honked and soccer fans blew whistles and waved the Ghana flag.

The jubilation started soon after Junior Agogo's winning goal and most of the fans decided not to see the end of proceedings as they poured onto the streets.

In separate interviews with the GNA Sports, some of the fans said they were particularly happy with the way Ghana won the match from a goal down and a man out and expressed the hope that Ghana were in a better position to win the cup.

Mr Tetteh Quao, a soccer enthusiast, noted that there was an obvious bias refereeing against the Stars saying: "We have put the Algerian referee to shame.

"John Mensah deserved a card but not a straight red card. Look at the penalty against us, why did the referee have to wait until the ball was almost cleared from danger before whistling for a penalty?" He asked.

Mr Quao commended the resilience of the players as well as their fighting spirit and the commitment to lift the nation's flag high and advised the team to regroup as quickly as possible and focus on winning their semi final match against either Cameroon or Tunisia on February 7. Mr Paul Adzah, another sports fan, said once the Black Stars had won their match against Nigeria under such a severe pressure, there were no more fears and worries about Ghana lifting the cup and advised supporters of the team not to blame any player for any faulty play since watching the match on the TV screens was different from the actual play. Mr Kofi Apiya, popularly called Agya Apiya, blamed the Stars coach for 'wasting' Haminu Dramani on the bench and advised him to use him from the start to complete the task for Ghana. Others, who spoke to the GNA Sports, said the win over the Super Eagles of Nigeria was a confirmation that Ghana was superior over them and that the cup would surely remain in Ghana.