Honour

Whatever importance is placed on the outcome of a football match, or the numerous heroes that emerge from each Round of a major tournament; it is not quite the same as the heroics of those who have contributed to the many UN Peacekeeping Operations involving Ghanaians. I have been researching quite long hours to try and find a Roll of Honour containing the names of those Ghanaians that have been killed during Peacekeeping Operations and then replicate or publish that list on this Blog. I know that the number killed is quite substantial, and that the sacrifice should not go unrecognised.

To truly put the efforts of the Ghanaian football team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals into perspective, we need to glance at a table containing the names of the other Quarter Finalists;

Holland v Brazil Kick off on the 2nd July at 3pm UK time
Uruguay v Ghana Kick off on the 2nd July at 7.30pm UK time
Argentina v Germany Kick off on the 3rd July at 3pm UK time
Paraguay v Spain Kick off on the 3rd July at 7.30pm UK time


It is amazing to see Ghana still in contention with the likes of Brazil, Holland, Uruguay, Argentina, Germany, and European Champions Spain. One of these 8 teams are only 3 victories away from being declared World Football Champions. For the remaining 7 nations, there is the glory of reaching the Quarter Finals, Semi Final, or being the runner up at the Final. 32 teams started at the Finals and 24 of those teams along with many more in the qualifiers have been brushed aside. Whatever the results on the 2nd and 3rd June 2010, these 8 teams can be justifiably proud of their achievements and the pride that their countrymen now display as each of the Quarter Finalists fly the national flag of their respective nation.

Ghana play better than their former Colonial masters

Ghanaians could not be criticised for having a wry smile at the demise of their formal Colonial masters at the 2010 Fifa World Cup Finals. With just over 50 years having elapsed since Ghanaian Independence, it is nice to note that Ghana were able to hold Germany to a single goal deficit while England succumbed 4-1. Forget that the ball bounced over the line, as England were beaten by the far better team and not robbed. The significance of the score line will not be lost on those who understand that past Colonial activity led to the introduction of football into Africa. Former tutor turned current master, as Ghana yet again rightfully takes its place on the World stage. From membership of the United Nations Peacekeeping force to the last 8 of the World Cup Quarter Finals, Ghana is there when it matters and when others are not. Go Ghana, Go

Go Ghana

The Star Spangled Banner of the United States of America came up against the Black Stars of Ghana in Rustenburg South Africa on the evening of 26th June 2010 in the last 16 of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Finals. Ghana were the only African nation left in this stage of the World Cup and after a thrilling match that included extra time, the Black Stars fought valiantly to become only the 3rd African nation to book a Quarter Final place in a FIFA World Cup Tournament. Players from the United States of America took to the field in an all-white strip that sported a black horizontal band on their socks. The American strip was low key compared to the flamboyant Red and Yellow of the Black Stars. A superb break and left foot shot by Boateng after 4 minutes and 57 seconds saw Ghana take a well deserved lead, and they dominated the First 45 minutes. 6 minutes into the match and Number 13 Clark, from the United States could have been handed a straight red, but the lenient Referee instead showed a Yellow Card. The crowd were in high spirits and the American supporters matched and sometimes outperformed their Ghanaian ‘Cheer Leading’ opponents. Onlookers must have felt sympathy for ex-American President Bill Clinton who had changed his itinerary to watch the game. The Americans pressed hard in the second half, and I wondered back in Wales if someone had given the Black Stars the wrong pep talk during half time. Donovan scored a fair penalty in the 62nd Penalty, but Ghanaian Number 3 Gyan took the Black Stars to a telling lead in the 4th minute of the first period of Extra Time. 2-1 to Ghana and a place in the Quarter Finals was booked, albeit we had to endure another 26 minutes of play and Extra, Extra Time before the result was finally declared. But throughout that period the Ghanaian's played extremely well and made maximum effort as they held onto their lead. Go Ghana, you all deserve the place in the last 8 and your place in African football history. I applaud you all, and look forward to your Quarter Final tie with Uruguay who beat South Korea 2-1 in their match.

Your fair play and sportsmanship are a credit to all, so please don't lose sight of that, as you set your hearts on the giddy heights of a Semi-Final place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals. Continue to represent your Country and your Continent as you have nothing to fear other than fear itself. Keep Hope Alive Ghana; Go Ghana, Go

The Black Stars

Having beaten Serbia 1-0, drawn with Australia 1-1, and only losing to Germany 0-1, the Great Ghanaian Black Stars made it through to the last 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. And in doing so, become the only African nation to make the last 16 in a competition that sees the lowest number of European teams to make it to the last 16 since the competition format changed many years ago. Well done Ghana, you deserve your last 16 match against the USA and I only wish that I was there to watch it in person! Instead, I shall have to suffer the current UK heatwave and stay indoors to watch Ghana v USA in glorious High Definition on my 50 inch Panasonic plasma screen in my 'boys' room that has two chairs. To make it even better, Ed is travelling back from South Wales with one of our daughters tomorrow so the match will be a family affair. It's a pity that the England football team were so poor that they could only manage second in an extremely weak group. Otherwise England would have earned the right to play Ghana and that would have been my all time favourite match. Instead, both Ghana and England now have to make it to the 2010 World Cup Final in order for that fixture to take place. And if the physic Octopus has his/her way then Germany are going to win the Germany v England match scheduled for this Sunday. Still, I don't mind Germany winning that game, providing the Black Stars lift the trophy or at least make it to the Final. I recently asked two friends from The Sudan; why the African football teams played a fair game unlike their European counterparts. I suggested that it was to do with Religion and Values, as I suggested in a previous Blog Post. But the Sudanese had a different view, no it was not about Religion, to them it was simply that the game was Big Business in Europe and players had forgotten fair play and the values that should be associated with a game. For me, the North Koreans handled themselves really well in this competition and like the Americans put their country in good light. The Japanese and the Chileans both showed that they are a force to be reckoned with and the Ivory Coast played like England until their last game when they at last turned on the skill and movement that I have previously admired them for. Ghana need to show their skill tomorrow, and then celebrate like Cameroon's past star, Roger Milla. I shall be in Wales cheering on the Black Stars, and all I ask is that they play fair and they play with commitment. Come on the Black Stars, and continue to make all of Africa and one Welshman proud. It's times like this, that I am glad to be a Friend of Ghana.

Ghanaian World Cup Squad 2010

The FIFA 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa - Ghana (The Black Stars) Squad
Daniel AGYEI Shirt Number 1 (G) G = Goalkeeper
Hans SARPEI 2 (D) D = Defender
Asamoah GYAN 3 (F) F = Forward
John PANTSIL 4 (D)
John MENSAH 5 (D)
Anthony ANNAN 6 (M) M = Midfield player
Samuel INKOOM 7 (D)
Jonathan MENSAH 8 (D)
Derek BOATENG 9 (M)
Stephen APPIAH 10 (M)
Sulley MUNTARI 11 (M)
Prince TAGOE 12 (F)
Andre AYEW 13 (M)
Matthew AMOAH 14 (F)
Isaac VORSAH 15 (D)
Stephen AHORLU 16 (G)
Ibrahim AYEW 17 (D)
Dominic ADIYIAH 18 (F)
Lee ADDY 19 (D)
Quincy OWUSU-ABEYIE 20 (F)
Kwadwo ASAMOAH 21 (M)
Richard KINGSON 22 (G)
Kevin Prince BOATENG 23 (F)

Coach Milovan RAJEVAC

Good teams, and Bad teams

I mentioned 'emerging African nations' in my last Blog as I am old enough to have watched and remember Zaire's 9-0 defeat at the hands of Yugoslavia in the 1974 FIFA World Cup held in West Germany and won by the hosts. Zaire were the first black African team to reach the World Cup Finals. The country is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo and has a recent FIFA ranking of 121st in the World. The 9-0 victory by Yugoslavia over Zaire remains a record score for a World Cup Final. Given the limited number of goals scored so far in the 2010 World Cup, that record is likely to remain intact for at least another four years. But we have to put defeats like this into context; however great the margin in a single game in the Finals, each participating team is one of the best in their region and has slogged it out against other opponents for a worthy place in the World Cup Finals as one of thirty two teams. It's not really a case of 'Good' or 'Bad' teams, but teams who are there on equal merit but which may not be able to perform as well as others, for a variety of reasons. These reasons can range from climate, injury to key players, team morale, political circumstance, internal strive, and sheer bad luck on the day. Unless of course you are Brazil, then these circumstances don't seem to occur all too often. In the current World Cup Finals Group Stage; Ghana are up against Serbia, Australia, and Germany. The Germans always seem to be able to field a strong and determined team. Given their current performance against Australia (where they are 2-0 up in the 55th minute), this tournament seems to be the same as the others. With a red card just issued to the Australian number 4 Tim Cahill, it is likely that the Germans will romp home in this game and probably the Group. This is the 4th red card for this tournament already and as a qualified Class B referee I can honestly say that the tackle didn't look like a 'straight red' to me. He clipped his opponent, but little more. Whereas the Germans are good at diving. And to be fair to this referee he gave one of the German players a yellow card in the first half for a deliberate dive. There's too much cheating in Club and World football, and even though Zaire lost 9-0 no one could accuse them of cheating during that tournament. Maybe, African ethics and values are higher than those of European and South American footballers. Is it the serious Church going, poor nations underpinned by strong religion? maybe African players don't see the value in being a cheat. Better to play and loose than to be a dirty cheat who cheats time and time again. Be it holding an opponent in the box, feigning a tackle and taking a dive, or encouraging the referee to give a card by gesture or word. No the African game may not yet be the 'beautiful game', but it certainly is the clean game and a credit to FIFA.

The FIFA World Cup 2010

The FIFA World Cup 2010 Round 1 Group Match between Ghana and Serbia kicked off at 1500 GMT in Pretoria, South Africa on Sunday 13th June 2010. Red and blue football strip against white. The all white Ghanaian football strip carried the Puma logo with black lettering detailing the player name and player number. The smart kit also carried the player number on the left leg of the white shorts. The Red, Yellow, Green stripes, and black Star colours of the Ghana National flag were shown on a wrist band of at least one of the payers and emanating from a football logo on the top left hand-side of the football shirt. This was a fitting bit of football kit; for an African team that played their opening game with skill and vigour. No longer slaves, but equals on the football world stage. By the 18th and the yellow card to the Serbian player Zigic, it was quite clear that England would be no match for Ghana if they can manage to overcome their poor performance against the United States and progress to the Knock Out rounds, and then meet the Ghanaian Nationals. The Ghanaian’s pressed the Serbs and in the 20th minute came close, almost “within a whisker” of opening their account. The Ghanaian football flare was matched by the yellow football boots of their left winger and others. But kit and flare to one side, everyone in ‘Team Ghana’ worked hard to carry the flag for their country. How Algeria and England could have learnt so much from their example and work-rate. By the 25th Minute it was still 0-0 but unfortunately Vorsah picked up a Yellow Card. The colour clashing with the puce coloured kit of the Ghanaian keeper, number 22 Kingson (albeit it has a blue tint shown in the photograph above). It was nice to see that the Ghanaian roving band complete with flag carrier was allowed to walk around at the base of the terrace. The Serbs demonstrated that they could take a clever free kick, but football is not just about set pieces. This is something that the England team also needs to learn. The pitch was immaculate although there is some negativity regarding the football being used in this World Cup and the way in which the ball is flying high. Maybe, just maybe the quality of the ball is the reason for the appalling Goal Keeper mistakes for England and Algeria in their opening games? Apparently, the balls are too round, but isn’t this exactly the shape that a football should be? The Ghanaian’s pressed on and in the 34th minute the scored remained 0-0. The changing advertising hording had more work to do than the almost redundant referee. Looking splendid in his Black strip, he failed to award Zigic a second yellow card in the 36th minute that would have reduced Serbia to ten men. A good save by Kingson in the 39th minute kept the Serbs at bay. There is no doubt that as the players walked to the tunnel at the end of the first half; Ghana had the better first 45 minutes. Maybe this is why they gathered in a circle and held each other’s arms before finding their way into the cool, for a well earned rest. I salute the Ghanaian football team, because whatever the outcome they had shown the World in their first 45 minutes at the 2010 World Cup finals, how to behave, how to work, and how to represent their Country. Look on England, and maybe you can use the Ghanaian example as a training video. Ghana is not constrained by the past glory of 1966, or the false expectations of those who believe that a team is better than it is. The Ghanaian striker, number 13 came close with a flying header in the 53rd minute. And Ghana broke again only one minute later, and followed that with a corner. By the 55th minute Ghana had attacked yet again. The Ghanaian team were let off in the 57th minute when a few of their players seemed to misunderstand that you cannot be offside from a throw in. The experience rattled them and Serbia came close to opening the score in the 58th minute. By the 59th minute Ghana had also come close to scoring at the other end. Zigic left the field in the 69th minute and was replaced by Lazovic. In the 72nd minute, number 10 Stephen Appiah came on for Ghana with Lukovic picking up a second yellow card in the 73rd minute, thus reducing Serbia to 10 players. The problem being that a reduction in team numbers is not always a bad thing. Teams can be spurred on by what they sometimes consider to be wrong, almost finding a second breath. Ghana would need to dig deep for the last quarter of an hour of they were to win their opening game and start their campaign to move beyond the Group Stage. A spectacular save by Kingson in the 78th minute kept Ghana in the game. No wonder the Serbian player who struck the ball held his head in despair. A deliberate hand ball by a Serbian player in the 83rd minute led to a fair penalty which was put away by the Ghanaian number 3. The stadium came to life as the Ghanaian’s danced away. The Serbian number 22 was distraught, but he could not complain about the Referee decision to award the penalty. If the ball had not been handled, then it would have probably fallen to the Ghanain striker that was moving in fast and to his right. In many ways, the Serbian team were fortunate not to have been reduced to nine players. What mattered now, was could Ghana do what South Africa could not? Could Ghana hold onto their 1-0 lead? Lee Addy came on for Ghana in the 90th minute as 3 extra minutes were added to the game by the FIFA fourth official. A Ghanaian attack in the 91st minute led to the Serbian keeper being beaten but the ball bouncing off the post. The last time, Ghana qualified strongly from the Group Stage they were only stopped by Brazil. It is so clear that the emerging African nations will come to dominate World football, but meanwhile this football team is happy to have a good time representing their country and Continent with pride. Ghana were the better side, and not just in terms of football ability. Well done FIFA for awarding the 2010 World Cup Finals to Africa. Oh, by the way, the final Score of the Ghana v Serbia game was 1-0 . The supporters placards were held high and one said “Feel it, Ghana is here!”. Feeling it, I am.

So much more

There is so much more that I could write about arbitration as our lives enter a new phase that can only be explained in detail to close friends and family. Alas, I cannot write about these matters in the public domain as the Blog could upset the fine balance of legal arguments. Putting that point to one side, the glorious weather is worthy of note. 21 degrees today and 23 degrees expected tomorrow, I am off hunting for my swimming kit and then onto enjoying my first dip in over two weeks. I have been busy looking after a family member and writing up case notes etc., So, whether you are in sunny West Wales, sunny and hot Africa or North America enjoy the weather as summer takes its grip!