THIS evening, our Black Stars are involved in another crucial football battle against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra.
The two countries are playing in the first semi-final encounter of the ongoing 26th Africa Cup of Nations tournament, with the other clash between the Pharaohs of Egypt and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire taking place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi in the night.
In tournaments of this nature, teams which make the semi-final berth are said to be in the medal zone, since they are within reach of the diadem. In other words, each of the four remaining teams is capable of lifting the coveted trophy, and with just the semi-final matches to play before they reach the final itself, each of the teams will go all out to carry the day.
Cameroun, by every measurable standard, is one of the giants of soccer on the African continent, with such a rich pedigree which, alone, can send the shivers down the spine of opposing teams.
In this present tournament, after their 2-4 loss to defending champions, Egypt, not many gave the Lions a dog’s chance of roaring into the semis. The fact that they are in there speaks volumes of their tenacity and determination to go for gold, even at the expense of the host country.
But the DAILY GRAPHIC, just like every Ghanaian, is confident in the ability of the Stars to deliver the goods. So far, the team has lived up to expectation, for which reason the whole country has rallied behind them in victory.
What makes us so confident is the fact that even with reduced strength in the match against our arch rivals in soccer on the continent, Nigeria, the Stars carried the day, thereby turning the country into one big arena of jubilation. That singular victory, clawed from the red-eyed Super Eagles, led to one of the biggest spontaneous celebrations nation-wide, probably surpassing the celebrations that came with the declaration of independence on March 6, 1957.
In spite of the confidence we have in the team, we are in no doubt at all that the Stars are in a match of their lives, particularly playing without their inspirational captain, John Mensah, who, thanks to the Algerian referee who decided to apply the rules to the letter, is on suspension. But nothing is humanly impossible if one sets the goal and works hard to attain it.
From the Black Stars, Ghanaians expect nothing but victory this evening and it is our expectation that as the players trot onto the field to begin hostilities, they will be reminded of the exhortation by the President, during his video conference with them on Tuesday, that “All Ghana expects from you is that you beat Cameroun soundly. As for this cup, Ghana is demanding it.”
As we call on the Stars to deliver, we also expect football fans and, indeed, all Ghanaians to support the team, even if the going gets tough.
The DAILY GRAPHIC knows that the match is crucial to both countries, since victory by either side will give the team the chance to go for a record-equalling fifth cup, since both countries have won the tournament four times already.
That is the more reason we believe the Black Stars should just stay focused and die a little for their country. It is only by doing this that they will be part of the epoch-making event, come Sunday, February 10.
We are also confident in Coach Le Roy’s ability to find a replacement for John Mensah and find a means to keep Eto’o in check, as the Tunisians did in their quarter-final clash with the Lions.
As we prepare for victory celebrations, the DAILY GRAPHIC reminds fans not to take the law into their own hands and put their own lives and those of others at risk.
We must celebrate in moderation, for Mother Ghana needs everybody for the bigger celebration on Sunday and beyond when we win the cup.
Stars, don’t let us down, for we need to celebrate.
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