Following the shambolic performance of the Senior National Team, The Black Stars of Ghana during the 2021 AFCON, where they exited in the group stages, Ghanaians lost interest in the affairs of the Ghana National Team. The muddled display of the individual players among the team sent Ghanaians to question the credibility of player selection. Many Ghanaians were of the view that, management had corruptible agendas in bringing those players on.
The accumulated pain was not instantly harboured in by Ghanaians during the just ended AFCON. Earlier, Ghanaians were teared apart by the team’s 2019 AFCON performance and the worst, the drama the team and management exhibited during the 2014 World Cup.
During the 2014 World Cup, some government officials, allegedly, took the opportunity to embark on individual vacations, some players publicly kissed and displayed monies paid for their appearance fees – showing interest in money rather than commitment to the team and, the shameful fight among players and management of the team – coupled with exiting at the preliminary stage.
Just after AFCON 2021, Ghana were seeded to have a two legged encounter with their long standing rivals, Nigeria, of the World Cup playoff games towards winning a place in Qatar. The matches were dated, 24th and 29th March, 2022. In haste, Nigeria released their squad for both legs but Ghana tarried. Was it a game plan by the Ghanaians? Kumasi – Baba Yara Sports Stadium was chosen by Ghanaians and approved by FIFA to host the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Ghanaians showed massive love for their National Team in a goalless draw between both teams.
WHERE FROM THE LOVE?
It was evident that, Ghanaians were ready to lose matches against other countries but Nigeria. This motivated Ghanaians to fill the 40,000 capacity Baba Yara Sports Stadium with electrifying energies.
According to the debutant Nigerian striker, Ademola Lookman of Leicester City FC, the love from Ghana supporters was massive.
“I’ve never seen anything like the atmosphere at Baba Yara Stadium. Making my debut for the Super Eagles was beautiful. The atmosphere in the Kumasi stadium was really amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it” -Ademola Lookman.
The second World Cup playoff encounter was played at the Mooshood Abiola Stadium in Nigeria. Prior to the encounter, lights went off during the last training session of the Ghana National team but that did not deter the team in any way. During the second encounter, Jordan Ayaw skillfully penetrated the ball through two Nigerian defenders to Gideon Mensah who then passed it to the skipper, Thomas Partey to smash in the opener for Ghana in the 10th minute. Nigeria equalised with a spot kick but that was not enough to book them a place in Qatar.
Nigerians ambushed the Mooshood Abiola stadium after their team failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The Ghana National Team has won back the love of Ghanaians; A feeling that will go a long way to help Ghana in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar.
BY: Obsoul of sixscribes (March 30, 2022)
