Disturbing stadium construction strikes, elegant musical compositions and dramatic squad announcements were some of the events that preoccupied many a football fan across the world in the run-up to this year's FIFA World Cup. With the clock finally ticking down to Africa's very first tournament, dubbed WOZA by the South African locals, followers of the world's most popular game are bracing themselves to scream, blow (their vuvuzelas) and retweet. Here's what the pre-world cup temperature in football-crazy Ghana is like.
Massive preparations
Various TV stations have adorned their walls with giant pictures of the national team, the Black Stars, and it's stars like Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari and the injured Michael Essien. A few reality shows aimed at stimulating the interest of football fans in the tournament have also been lined up. In addition, Corporate organisations, especially communication companies, are clamouring for attention with different football- themed messages. They have giant billboards and ads on both TV and radio that're competing to occupy advertising space. The most innovative campaign I've seen is Zain's use of new media to engage football fans through the Zfootballmania twitter page.
Football fans, who do not want to be left out of the action have been psyching themselves up for the tournament. I saw fans participating in floats through some of Accra's streets in organised trucks. You won't be wrong to expect more from these fans if Ghana churns out a good performance at the mundial. Already, there are media reports that Ghana is sending the largest contingent of African football fans to the tournament outdoing bigger nations like Nigeria and France.
Injury problems, selection controversies
Champions league winner, Sulley Muntari, and Chelsea ace, Michael Essien, both have injury worries. While Muntari is sure to play in the tournament, Essien will be completely missing on the pitch in South Africa. His injury is a major talking point here as his coordinating role in Ghana's power midfield play will be sorely missed. However, pundits believe the effect of his absence can be minimised or even nullified completely with the right strategy. Dzidodo Reuben Adjahoe of Keta-based Jubilee radio sums up this mood via his facebook page:
This man would have brought so much to our team at the mundial. His commanding presence alone can turn around games but with what i have seen am positive Rajevac will work out something in his absence. Get well soon bruv and make a grand return though it will be sad to see u play against us next season (Dzidodo being an Arsenal fan).
Another talking point is the exclusion of former staple, Laryea Kingston from the team. Laryea's absence has infuriated not only his fans but also his mother who has protested strongly to the Ghanaian sporting authorities. Not every Ghanaian football fan thinks Bra Laryea deserves a place in the team, however. Mighty African writes:
He could have disturbed the chemistry in camp. The boys have been together and I know they are shiing jama at this very moment waiting to go do Ghana and Africa proud. They need the fans to believe with them and support them in prayer.
The good news is that all the newcomers to Ghana's world cup team are young talented, energetic and vibrant combatants who have already proven themselves at various levels. The exciting Kwadwo Asamoah and Dede Ayew, for example will be secret weapons in coach Milovan Rajevac's attacking strategy. There are also the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Isaac Vorsah and Anthony Annan, who will hopefully be major revelations to the world during the tournament.
The fever's there but not so high
In spite of the preparations, the world cup fever has not quite caught on yet. This may be due to the fact that Ghana is so far from the action spot proper or just that the tournament itself has to start before football fans get engaged. Football fans are not so anxious like 2006 when Ghana played in the world cup for the first time. They're suspicious about Ghana's chances in a group that includes Germany, Serbia and Australia, especially in the face of the team's performance in its trial matches. Optimistic Mighty African thinks this should not be the case:
Before the start of the 2006 World Cup, many Black Stars' fans were worried about our preparations. We had had below-par friendlies. But I believed that when the boys camped together and built chemistry, they'll do well. And we saw how they made Africa proud in 2006.
Indeed the mighty Black Stars of Ghana and Africa will make the continent proud in characteristic fashion. I'd bet a lot will depend on that match against Serbia on 13th June. When the stars start on a good note, the fans are sure to put up many thrilling and enchanting displays to reflect the colour passion, music and beauty that always been at the heart of the Ghanaian football experience and hold the world spellbound Tsoboi!
Image borrowed from bbc.com
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