Football Festivities

Today we got to go to the Black Star Football Game. The Black Stars are the National Ghanaian Football team. They were playing Sudan in the qualifying game for the World Cup. The game started at 5 pm, but we were advised to arrive early so that we could experience the pre-game activities. We got to the game around 3 pm. We had VIP seats which were in the front sections (we were the fifth or sixth row) right at the centerfield line. It was definitely one of the best views in the stadium. A part of our group was directly across the field from us. We got to watch three large groups dance, sing, play music and cheer which was very entertaining. The groups were each in their own colors- one red, one yellow and one green (the Ghanaian colors). Some fans were totally painted with the Ghanaian colors and running up and down the field cheering. The atmosphere there was nothing like I had ever experienced in the States. It was just fun being a part of the action.

In Ghana, the Ghanaian people receive the footballers as national heroes. Little children look up to them and aim to be just like them. Football is one of the most celebrated sporting events in Ghana and the footballers are seen as Hollywood celebrities and famous politicians are in the U.S. They are the public image of Ghana and give Ghanaians hope and happiness through their international success.

The Black Stars ended up winning the game, which qualified them for this years World Cup. Now their next game will be in Kumase and a group of us are planning on going. Kumase is another large city in the middle of Ghana. They will also be playing Benin somewhere in Benin, which we might also attend if we end up traveling there around the same time.

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