I cannot believe we've only been here 2 months and this is my 2nd blog about football! I've truly been swept by the football fever. It is somehow amazing to be a part of watching a sport that is all about country unity, perserverence and hope rather than marketing and mega-priced ads. In every corner of the country, young boys play football in the dirt, teenagers spend their weekends in agressive matches on the beach and football is an escape from the realities of life here. Tonight, Ghana's U-20 team played Brazil in the World Cup Final. All over the city, people have been buzzing about the game for days. Little stands and shops on the side of the road suddenly donned Ghanaian flags and TV sets. We went to Osu, the "heartbeat" of Accra - a busy place filled with stores, people and traffic. There was an enormous TV set up at the end of the main street, the traffic was blocked off and people were out in droves to watch the homeland. We watched in a nearby restaurant as our new little country showed huge strength. Ghana played with 10 players most of the game but it didn't deter them in the least. The game went into 2 overtimes and a hair-raising set of 5 shoot-out kicks. Finally, in sudden death, Brazil missed their first kick and Ghana made theirs! Dancing, chanting and singing erupted all over the city. This is the first time EVER an African team has won the U-20 World Cup. I was amazed at how much I loved watching and even more so by how much allegiance I hold already for Ghana. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people filled with enthusiasm and soul.
The first week of school, Xavier learned the first part of the Ghanaian national anthem - the phrase we heard over and over tonight - God Bless Our Homeland, Ghana".....indeed, we are proud.
(PS if you have any hook-ups for World Cup S. Africa tickets - let me know - the Ghana Black Star team will no doubt have a strong showing there!! :) )
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