Ghana vs. Zambia
World cup qualifying match
I would never miss the opportunity to see a good football match live in a foreign country. I highly recommend spending the money and going. Not only is it exciting, but you will discover the
spirit of the country. Football is a way of life. It is intensity. It is emotion. It is love. Football reveals intimate qualities about the nature, culture, and people of that country. Their essence, attitude, hopes and dreams manifest as they riot for their favorite team. No one possesses their heart quite like their football team. As evident by the picture below of the label on their soccer jerseys.
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The Heart, the Soul = Football
Football = Life |
Friday, September 6, a bus full of animated international students headed to Kumasi to witness one of the most anticipated football matches firsthand. Excited and anxious, the students woke up at 5am and made their way down to the bus. The energy was alive and enthusiastic looking forward to the trip ahead. However, an hour in, already the sleepy students were starting to lose momentum and the bus quieted down. We still had another 4 hours to go.
To be honest, it was one of the worst bus rides of my life. I was sitting in the back in the middle of two men that needed their elbow room. It was a struggle. I could not sleep and it was all I could do to not get nauseous enduring the ferocious braking and accelerating of the driver every quarter mile to slow down for yet another speed bump or pot hole. Being in the back of the bus, I felt every jolt and movement. Anyone that knows me, knows that I do not like car rides unless I'm driving. I found myself frustrated and wondering,
why are there so many speed bumps when we are supposed to be on a highway? I know that this question is going to come up again as I research Ghana's infrastructure and how trade moves through the country.
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| Getting off the bus in Kumasi, I bought a flag |
The bus full of Obrunis* arrived and everyone's spirits shot back up and the excitement began to build again. It was evident pretty quickly that we stuck out as we were the only large group of foreigners. Even the media noticed. Several journalists approached the group to interview a few students. They were curious why we were there and wanted to know our opinion of what was going to play out in the match ahead. My friend Matthew was quick to respond. I was laughing and happy taking photos of everyone's chance to get on TV.
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| GO GHANA!!!! |
The next obstacle of the day was the ferocious sun beating down. When we first found our seats we thought we got lucky with the flag above us that was our sunshade. This was one of the first days that the clouds cleared and uncovered the sun. It was the first time I felt the true intensity of the heat, foreshadowing what we will experience in the months ahead and it wasn't pretty.
As the players entered the field, the crowd began roaring. Either in boos for Zambia or cheers for their beloved Ghana. We were disappointed to lose our sunshade as we ushered by the crowd to take our seats. I was somewhat shocked. I have never seen the entire audience sit during a game. It was a very interesting custom. If you stood, even if it was for a second too long after a goal was scored, the crowd members behind you would insist you sit down and stop blocking their view. I have never seen an entire crowd respect the environment of everyone around them. It is another example of the communal effect displayed in Ghana. (Will explain more about this observation later.)
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| Awe, shade. |
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| And the award for most spirited Obrunis goes to... ^^ |
When a goal was scored, however, everyone jumped to their feet in a wave of exultation. Dancing, drumming, thanking God above, and embracing the moment.... Until someone would tap you on the shoulder or motion to sit so they wouldn't miss any moment of what would happen next.
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| Goooooal!!! |
Ghana defeated Zambia, 2-1. It was a fine match between two extremely competitive teams. The Obrunis hustled back to the bus to begin our 5 hour journey back home. We started that day at 5am and did not return home until 2am. Every ounce of energy within us was drained but worth the experience.
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| Ahhhh, a wave of relief as the sun begins to set |
Ghana beat the U.S. in the last two World Cups. I wonder if they will meet again in 2014. It will be a nail-biting game!
*Obruni is the Twi, one of the local languages, word for "foreigner"
