Ghana ranked 7th

The Ghanaian national football team, the 'Black Stars' have been ranked 7th by FIFA following their performance in the 2010 World Cup Finals in Africa. 7th place just behind Brazil and Argentina, is a move upwards of 6 places for the Ghanaians since their 13th place ranking after the 2006 World Cup Finals.

Congratulations to everyone involved with the team. You are great Ambassadors for Ghana, and you all deserve your new found fame and increased prestige.

Proper Colonial Finalists

Well, who would have expected Spain to defeat Germany 1-0 in the 2nd of the two FIFA 2010 World Cup Semi Finals in Africa? The Germanic fluency that I mentioned in a previous Blog, simply didn't come alive tonight. In many ways it's a grave pity, but the upside is that we will now have a new Football World Cup winning nation.

And that folk's is the way of things, change happens and a new order comes into existence. The European Great Powers searched for lands to Colonise. The 20th Century collapse led to the emergence of Russia and the United States of America. Although the good old USA (our special relations across the Pond) won't be too keen to let go, there is however, an inevitability to the emergence of Asian leading nations. Japanese economic strength and Chinese population transferred into economic growth will eventually lead to Asian dominance of World affairs.

To put it simply, things that can change, often do change. Holland against Spain, who would of thought of it?

Holland, Holland, Holland

Well done to Holland for their crushing 3-2 defeat of Uruguay in a Semi-final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Africa. Although I would have preferred to have seen Ghana taking their rightful place in this game against the Netherlands; what goes round, come round. Uruguay simply weren’t good enough.

The downside of this result is that the cheating that occurred in the Quarter-finals will soon be forgotten. The Netherlands will now meet Germany or Spain in the Final, but the upside is that I don’t have watch the 3rd-4th place Play-off and therefore don't get to see the cheat again.

The Netherlands were Colonial masters in South Africa between 1652 and 1795, with the linguistic strength of the simplified Dutch spoken by migrant Dutch farmers leaving a legacy on the African Continent. Germany showed its Colonial Expansionism by acquiring South West Africa [Namibia], and German East Africa [Mainland Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Togo, and Cameroon]. There are examples of German atrocities regarding native Africans, but these are too extreme for me to replicate on a family website. I knew about the Holocaust and atrocities in Bosnia, and modern Rwanda, but I was not aware of turn of the 20th Century atrocities in Africa. When I finish reading my current set of academic and heroic books, I shall delve a bit deeper into that bit of dark history.

The last of the three World Cup nations was not intent on African Colonisation. Instead, Spain looked towards colonisation of the Americas. However Spain did hold Morocco until 1956, Guinea until 1968, and Spanish Sahara until 1975. The point being that the nation that has already secured a place in the Final of the 2010 World Cup and the two nations that are now left to contend the last remaining place; all held colonies in Africa.

The Times, London

The Times, London

I submitted a letter to The Times regarding the cheating that denied the Ghanaian Football Team their rightful place in the 2010 World Cup Finals held in Africa. Writing a letter to a newspaper is something that I have not done for a very long time, and maybe by referencing the act, you can gauge my outrage that the cheating occurred and that the cheat was shown celebrating the success of his cheating on World Television. Unfortunately, my letter did not make the Editorial cut.

The only letter to appear in the July 5 2010 edition of The Times regarding Ghana being robbed; came from a Frank Edwards, from Croydon, Surrey

Pay the penalty
Sir, Ghana were robbed of victory in their quarter-final with Uruguay by cheating in the form of Suarez’s blatant handball on the goal line (report, the game, July 3). I suggest that when such a foul stops what would otherwise be a 100 per cent certain goal, the referee should be able to award an instant penalty goal, similar to the penalty try in rugby.

My unsuccessful submission was a tad longer. Well it had to be, didn’t it?

A Sad Day for Football
Sir, a lot has been said and written regarding the disallowed goal when the ball crossed the line during the England and Germany clash during the 2010 World Cup Finals in Africa. A bit less was said and written regarding the Argentinean player being in an offside position when Argentina scored against Mexico. Each decision to disallow one goal and to allow the other may have been made in error, but neither decision can be considered as a deliberate act that disadvantaged one of the teams. Players, Match Officials and even Supporters make mistakes. There is a vast difference between a mistake and a deliberate act. For that reason, the events that occurred at the end of the Quarter Final match between the Ghanaian ‘Black Stars’ and Uruguay represents a sad day for World Football. The Ghanaian players and everyone involved with the team can hold their heads up high. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the Uruguayan player who handled the ball in the dying seconds of the second period of Extra Time, and thereby stopped Ghana from scoring a certain goal. Worse still, this player was not ushered down into the tunnel and remained near the pitch. Onlookers witnessed his shameful behaviour of celebrating the missed penalty. Heartbreaking yes, but many people would rather be on the losing side than win under these circumstances. The hand ball and the images that were repeatedly broadcast throughout the World showing the player as he celebrated the success of his act, should have led to the game being awarded to Ghana. Instead, Ghana went on to lose the penalty shoot out. If winning means so much that you have to cheat, then Ghana is better off by not reaching the FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals. Ghana has already achieved far more in its years of Independence that winning a Football World Cup. The Ghanaian contribution to Statecraft and Security dwarfs that of lesser actors. The sheer effort of Ghanaians to help to secure World peace is an embarrassment for those countries that make little or no effort to Peacekeeping Operations. Ghana is already a World Champion of International Politics, and Ghanaian athletes will go on to achieve accolades for Ghana in the sporting arena. We must ‘Keep Hope Alive’ and I hope that Uruguay win the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Simply because a Uruguayan victory built on the defeat of Ghana, will be an embarrassment to Football. Uruguay may have the technique and the run of good fortune, but like others, they brought the wrong value set to Africa. It was a sad day for World Football and no one should lose sight of that fact.

FIFA Failed

By only upholding a single match ban for the Uruguayan Cheat, FIFA failed to restore the ideals of fair play to the 2010 World Cup Finals in Africa. Contrary to their grand claims; the Uruguayan Football Team is not amongst the best four football teams in the World.

Uruguay were beaten in normal play 2-1 by a Ghana team that finished the game stronger than their opponents. Well that would have been the score, if a cheat had not punched the ball away from a certain goal. If fair play is what FIFA believe in, then they should have asked Uruguay to go home. The cheat should have been banned from the tournament, either by joining his team on the flight home, or by being refused entry to the Stadium. This was no 'Hand of God', this was 'The Hand of a Cheat'.

This Uruguayan Football Team with the actions of the cheat and the subsequent celebration of the cheating; has probably done more damage to the good name of Uruguay than any athlete or politician preceding them. I am embarrassed that the good people of Uruguay have been shamed in this manner by their athletes.

I am glad that the Ghanaian Team Manager is proud of his players, as there are millions of people throughout the World who are also proud of them. People who cannot believe what happened and how that act was celebrated. I hope that Uruguay win the torunament as it will remind people that they won because of what they done and celebrated against Ghana. A Ghanaian Team that by right should have proceeded into the Semi Finals and taken their rightful place as one of the best four football teams in the World.

Like I mentioned in a previous Blog posting; if you have to cheat to win, then you are better off not winning.

Players and Teams that don't cheat

The three good thing about the Football World Cup Finals in Africa, were the other three Quarter Final Matches. After the sorry affair involving Uruguay and the deliberate hand ball and shameful celebrations; it was a pleasure to watch the skill and measured celebrations of the other six Quarter Finalists. Brazil went out 2-1 to the Netherlands. but were humble in defeat both on and off the field. The Brazilian players come and go yet again as true Ambassadors for their nation. Look on Uruguay, and learn. Germany crushed Argentina 4-0, but yet again the losing side had no complaints as they were beaten by athletes and not by a cheat. My favourite Quarter Final match in Africa, must be the game between Paraguay and Spain. I could write about the drama of Holland fighting back from being 1-0 down. I could write about the calm skill of Germany. An almost orchestrated skill, whereby each player understands their place on the pitch and the team moves in unison to fill the gaps and to make the play. Astonishingly fluent, and to me one of the best German Football Teams ever.

Indeed, if Carlsberg Managed Football Teams then this one would be theirs. But no, the Blog is about Africa, Ghana and all things Accra. I have artistic licence to write about the 2010 World Cup Finals as they are taking place in Africa. And for me, however fair, equitable, and humble the games were between the Netherlands and Brazil, and Germany and Argentina, the game that stands out was Paraguay and Spain. like the two other Quarter Finals that I refer to in this posting; there were no cheats. In many ways, there were also no great players. There certainly wasn't the Chess Mastery Fluency of Germany or the independent skill of players from Brazil and Argentina. No, this game was different because the 22 players were average. Well, if I am able to describe World Class athletes as average. But you know what I mean.

Both teams had chances and players from both teams unlike the Uruguayan Cheat refrained from cheating. One of the best examples of fair play emerging from this Quarter Final clash was the astonishing double penalty events of the second half. As a qualified Football Referee, it was nice to see a Spanish player penalised for a foul in the box during a corner kick. Paraguay will not complain about the subsequent spot kick and the inability of their player to score. It was fair, there was no certain goal before the foul and there was no goal afterwards. But what struck me most about that penalty; was the way in which the Spanish players rushed forward to gobble up the ball in the event of a save or deflection off the post or cross bar. They were lucky that I am not a World Class Referee as if I had been there, then the Paraguayan player would have taken the kick again.

Seconds later and the ball was at the other end of the pitch and Spain were quite rightly awarded a penalty. The Spanish play converted the spot kick and embarked on the customary celebrations when it dawned on him and others that the Referee was having none of it. The Spanish players had yet again encroached into the box in their mad rush to gobble up a deflected ball. The penalty was taken again and this time the 'heroic' (well you have to use that word once, don't you?) Paraguayan goal keeper made the save. 0-0 and that was fair. The point being that no one really complained, the athletes just got on with the game. Well done Paraguay and Spain, unlike the Uruguayan team you are a credit to your country and bring the correct values to Africa.

Oh the final score? 1-0 to Spain.

The aftermath

In the aftermath of defeat it was nice to hear from Michael. Especially as he always greets me with 'Commander'. A word associated with a long gone role that I once had in life. As Michael explains in his communique; "Hope must always be kept alive!" We both believe that the Ghanaian Football Team and Ghana, will go on to achieve greater things. Yesterday was a Sad Day for World Football. The cheating and the images broadcast throughout the World showing the cheat as he celebrated the success of his act, should have led to the game being awarded to Ghana.

Ghana has already achieved more than winning a Football World Cup. The Ghanaian contribution to Statecraft and Security dwarfs that of lesser contributors. The sheer effort of Ghanaians to help to secure World peace is an embarrassment for those countries that make no or little effort to Peacekeeping Operations. They are already World Champions in International Politics, and Ghanaian athletes will go on to achieve greater accolades for Ghana in the sporting arena. For me these things are written, there is no if, it is simply a case of when.

A very sad day for Football

If winning means so much that you have to cheat, then Ghana is better off not reaching the FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals.

At least all of the Ghanaian players, Ghanaian officials, and Ghanaian supporters can hold their heads up high. Unfortunately for World Football, the same cannot be said of the Uruguayan player who handled the ball and thereby stopped Ghana from scoring a certain goal. Worse still, the same player was not ushered down into the players tunnel and we instead witnessed what I can only describe as the shame of him celebrating the missed penalty. Heartbreaking yes, but I would rather be on the loosing side than win under these circumstances.

The behaviour of the Ghanaian athletes this evening is a credit to everyone throughout Africa and on many levels; some of which may not be understood by opposition teams that do not behave in the same manner. Shame on the winning team and shame of FIFA for allowing him to display his delight on World television. His Red Card should not stop him playing in the next round, but should equate to an expulsion by the authorities, that sends him homeward bound, not tomorrow, but today.

With Ambassadors as good as the Ghanaian Black Stars, it is no wonder that all of Africa united in a show of pan-Africanism for the Ghanaian Quarter Final clash with Uruguay. The team spirit and fair play on the pitch was matched by the broadcast of the team disembarking from the Team Bus in traditional song. There was not an iPod or MP3 player in sight. It was truly inspirational to see Hope Kept Alive as the 7.30 pm UK time Kickoff at Soccer City approached.

ITV back in the UK done the Ghanaians proud, by setting up a video link direct into the heart of Accra. Viewers in England and Wales were given the rare treat of a 'live' feed into the city and a chance for yours truly to show my wife some of the things that I experienced when I visited Accra and the surrounding area.

The Match was dedicated towards the fight against Racism. This led to an announcement by Officials and one player selected from each team. It was wonderful to see and to hear, as those that spoke are footballers and not public speakers.

It was the Red and Yellow of Ghana against the Blue, Black and White of Uruguay. Kingson kept goal for Ghana in brown instead of his usual resplendent blue and Lilac strip. Ghana snatched the lead with a superb long distance strike in the 2nd minute of extra time at the end of the first half just as the whistle was about to be blown. Some ten minutes into the second half and the equaliser was scored from an extremely well executed Free Kick. The game stayed at 1-1 and would have been 2-1 to Ghana in the very last seconds of the second period of Extra Time, if the handball on the line to stop the ball had not occurred. Ghana were unable to convert the resulting penalty and thereby seize what would have been a well deserved place in the FIFA 2010 World Cup Semi Final. Instead, Ghana went on to lose on Penalties, but won on values.

But to me, the shame was in seeing the player that handled the ball, celebrating when he should have been in the dressing room. My academic hero Norbert Elias taught at the University of Ghana. Amongst many subjects, he wrote about shame. I am confident that tonight's display, that appeared to lack any shame on the part of the player, would have been mentioned in some way. Societies have evolved, and as we evolve, it is interesting to note, that things that were once regarded as shameful, no longer count as such. Sometimes the burden is shared or adopted by the onlooker rather than the person who is directly involved. Tonight, I took on some of that burden, as Africa deserved better than to be cheated out of their rightful place in the Semi Final.

Well done team Ghana, well done the team coach, well done the Supporters. Your day will come, but please never lose sight of the fact, that it is better to have played and to have lost, than to have won at all costs. Sometimes, (and this occasion is one of them) coming second is winning.

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.