Ghana 2008: Views from the US

As the senior national soccer team the Black Stars of Ghana prepares to take on her next opponent Namibia in the on going Ghana 2008, which is the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. Ghanaians resident in the USA do not want to be left out of the tournament and its attendant euphoria especially the initial victory registered in the opening match of the soccer fiesta when the Black Stars humbled the Syli Stars, the national team of Guinea by 2-1 goals. It is in light of this that the writer has sampled some of the views expressed by these Ghanaians.

George Kwaku Doe, a sport presenter and analyst currently resident in Framingham (Massachusetts) said the crop of players in the national team are poised to make history for themselves and it is this fighting spirit that is going to make them lift the trophy come February 10th. He has therefore cautioned them against complacency especially going to play against Namibia a team that had been beaten heavily by Morocco, another team in our group. ?Treat each match as important as it deserves and stay in focus in all your outings he added?. George Doe has therefore charged the strikers of Ghana to be extra sharp up front and not to even spare half baked chances.

Sammy Adjei, of Ashanti Goldfields FC fame and the former skipper of the U-23, The Meteors team that was at Barcelona during the Olympic Games has also added his voice by praising the Black Stars for beating the Syli Stars of Guinea last Sunday after the scoreless first half and hitting the post thrice. ?We played quite well in the second half by putting pressure on the Guineans for them to commit blunders and the spot kick awarded the Stars was a perfect product?. Sammy Adjei also added ?I think Coach Claude Le Roy should have brought Dede Ayew earlier. He noted that Eric Addo needs to work on his speed rate when recovery and that he must aim at winning all fifty-fifty balls. He concluded by saying that Junior Agogo and Asamoah Gyan have to improve upon their partnership up front. Sammy Adjei is as of now a coach at the Soccer Excellency Sports Academy in New Jersey, in charge of U 16 to 18.

Joe Addo a former Skipper of Accra Hearts of Oak, who now resides in New Jersey, has urged the players not to bow down to pressure from the supporters, but rather should have much confidence in themselves that they can live up to expectation by winning the Gold Trophy for Ghana in the MTN 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations. Big Joe as he is affectionately called summed by saying ?The boys should die a little to defend the national colors?.

Mr. Osei Kofi (California), a former Supporters Chairman (Batama Branch) of Obuasi Goldfields Sporting Club; expressed his fear that until the Black Stars are able to clear the Nigeria or Cote D?Ivoire hurdle his confidence level will continue to be low. To him these two nations have players who are doing better in Europe. If we surmount this barrier the trophy will be for Ghana he added. Mr. Osei Kofi noted ?The supporters should go to the Sports Stadium to clap, sing, dance and cheer the players up to the last blast of the referee?. He added that the support should go beyond the 90 minutes mark to say 120 minutes, because by so doing the boys will feel that the whole nation is solidly behind them.

Rev, Alex Adu-Gyamfi (Bronx- NY), the head pastor of the Bible Believers Tabernacle Inc. has urged the entire nation to pray and fast for the Black Stars. He added ?With God all things are possible and that soccer like any other discipline especially in Africa evil forces are always at work?. He asked that sports administrators in Ghana should ceaselessly motivate the boys to lift the Golden Fleece.

Rev. Sampson Yiadom (Washington DC), who is the Area Head Coordinator of the Church of Pentecost. A former player of Ebusua Dwarfs and Winneba Advance Stars noted that the Sports Administrators, the fans and the sponsors of the Black Stars should give the technical handlers free hand to do their job without interference since they are professionals. He further stated ?The strikers need to be sharp, the defense and midfield are good? He has a word for Dede Ayew ?Do not be swollen headed? he advised.

James Osei Tutu aka Jagadu (Student and Hip Life artist - Boston MA) exclaimed and said ?At all cost by the end of the tournament Ghana will lift the trophy for a fifth record time?.

Zakari Adams (Colorado) The Branch Secretary of the NDC has asked that all Ghanaians should bury their political differences and come together as one entity to give the necessary support to the Black Stars to achieve the desire goal of all Ghanaians. He emphasized by saying ?This is a national affair, no NPP, NDC, CPP, PNC, DFP, GCPP? please?.