After the disappointing match against the US, spirits were low in advance of the Germany match. I would tell everyone who asked or who tried to patronize me (Americans) that there was no need to worry because Ghana will certainly beat Germany and still have a chance to advance out of the group stage. We would all have a good chuckle.
On Game Day, in my Black Stars jersey, and red/gold/green/black dangling earrings, I was wished good luck by a German couple in the elevator. I turned around and in all seriousness wished them good luck as well. They seemed a bit taken aback. Oh well.
I was to meet Bot and his crew so we could all go to the stadium together. On my walk over to their hotel I passed by these two men – Caucasian looking – with blackened faces and Ghana written across the chest of their plain white Tees. I was too shocked to even formulate a thought. Cars would pass by honking and passengers would yell “Gana” to which these guys would cheerfully yell “Ghana yeah” back. Oh dear me, they are Ghana fans I thought and tried not to make eye contact.
In the stadium I found myself seated alone in a sea of Germans. But who should arrive cheerfully cheering for Ghana in my section but those two misguided fans. I tsked-tsked and grabbed pictures of them.
The stadium was definitely over-represented by Germans. But there were a lot of Brazilians and non-Ghanaians cheering Ghana to help balance out. The Ghanaian cheerleaders flown in by the government to Natal for the US game were not present. I wondered if there had been no arrangements, in true Ghanaian fashion of course, to continue to provide for them while in Brazil. I still shook my head that they and all these officials were flown in on charter flights on the tax-players cedi fully aware of the rumblings that had begun that the players self had not yet been paid. Oh Ghana! Hmmm!
The second half of the game was magnetic. Tensions had risen by this point as it was scoreless. But that second half, oh my, gave us all a rebirth. The Ghanaian and German fans would alternatively cheer and moan as the respective teams played to a 2-2 draw. J.Ayew’s last run could have been the clincher allowing Ghana to win with a 3-2 finish but it was one of the many almost occasions. Klose’s flip after his goal was classic. I think that was the most energetic, electrifying, awesome game I’ve ever been to. Almost lost my voice.
Afterwards, you could tell the German fans were stunned yet relieved that at least they did not lose. They were a bit pensive around town while the Ghanaians were in better spirits keeping hope alive. Just have to have Portugal beat the US and then Ghana beats Portugal easy-peasy. Group G was still for Ghana and Germany.
A lover of mangoes. A woman - smart, without pretense, lefthanded, Afropolitan - navigating this thing called life. An unapologetic believer in social justice and karma. Choosing to radiate positive energy and be true to myself. Here, my musings.
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