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.