Ghanaians battling with winter in South Africa

William D. Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Pretoria, South Africa

Pretoria, June 17, GNA - Ghanaian supporters in South Africa are battling with unfamiliar wintry weather, which has affected almost every aspect of their lives, with 32 fans registering with the authorities to be sent back home after the Black Stars second match billed for Saturday.

A check at the reception of the Muzinda Residence, where supporters who wish to go back after the second game as a result of the weather, indicates that more people have expressed interest in going back to Ghana after Saturday, hence the number could swell. Also, a visit to the camp of the supporters in Western Pretoria shows that the supporters numbering over 1000, are having difficulties coping with the weather.

Every soccer fan in the Muzinda Residence in Western Pretoria, is wearing huge winter clothing, with baseball caps and head gear to cover their heads, whilst those who chose to wear slippers have to do that with two or more socks on, and with winter gloves on their hands to avoid being knocked off by the cold.

Despite the huge warm clothing and other protective gear, the fans could be seen shivering every moment because the very cold weather, which is contrary to the hot weather conditions they are used to back home in Ghana.

Some are seen by the fire side each evening in the open air auditorium of the hostel, as they gather

in clusters to keep warm. In addition, the fans are battling with cracked lips inflicted by the weather, making it difficult for some of them to eat food.

For those who have ever travelled to Europe and have experienced winter before, they seem to be comfortable with the situation, but for the majority of them who are having their first experience with cold weather, it is almost a nightmare.

Some told the GNA Sports that, "It has been difficult coping with the weather, because they have never experienced it before."

Others too said they would have returned to Ghana, but for the love they have for the Black Stars, they are prepared to stay on and find ways and means of dealing with the terrible weather".

A fan who decided to remain anonymous told the GNA Sports that he had not been able to bath since he arrived in South Africa on June 10, because the water was too cold for him to take his bath.

Asked when he will be taking his bath, the fan wondered whether it would happen as he could not cope with the weather, in spite of the availability of water heaters in the hostel. So intense is the situation that traders and other staff of the hotel have decided to cash in on the situation by selling warm clothing, gloves, head gears, socks and other protective gear in front of the hostel.

David Ashietey, one of the Ghanaian supporters, in an interview noted that he may depart home before the third round matches commence because the weather is having serious effects on him.

According to Ashietey, he will be quitting on health grounds because he suspects the weather might have health implications on him.

Vincentia Deku, another well known football fan in Ghana, told the GNA Sports that though some of them were aware of the weather in South Africa, they underestimated its intensity.

According to her, she was ready to cope with the weather to fulfil her mission of cheering the Black Stars to the finals of the competition.

Sammy Buckman Boakye, a journalist in the Black Stars camp, said in an interview that he had never experienced such a cold weather before, but that he was determined to stay on till the competition got to the end.

Supporters in other camps are also having same difficulties with the weather.