Organisers Of Ghana -England Friendly Call On Danso Boafo

Story: Nana Sifa Twum, London

The Ghana – England international friendly slated for the 29th of March is said to be a sell-out according to the organiser.

One-third of the initial 15 thousand tickets released were sold within the first day, making it the fastest ticket selling in the history of the English Football Association.

In the history of the English Football Association, more tickets have been allocated to the Ghanaian fans than any other visiting nation.

The Principal of MEL GOLDBERG, organisers of the game, said this when he led members of his team to pay a courtesy call on Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, (UK), Professor Kwaku Danso Boafo at his office at the Belgrave Square in London.

The firm is highly acclaimed sports and celebrity lawyers and expects with over 30 years experience. They represent a number of sporting celebrities and organisations, Olympic gold medalists and world champions in boxing, squash, tennis and athletics. They have also over the years arranged the transfers of several multi million pound football players. They were at the High Commission to confer with the Ghanaian Envoy in respect of the organistion of the game.

Mr. Mel Goldberg, a pioneer of UK Sports law expressed the joy of seeing the possibility of the fixture. He admitted the difficulties that engulfed the arrangements and noted, “We are extremely proud to bring Ghana and England together finally in a friendly football encounter.”

He added that this is the first soccer encounter between England and any black African country at the Wembley Stadium and this also explains the importance both England and Ghana attach to the game.

Other members of the group Simon Pentol, Ambrose Mendy and Kwasi Amponsa were of the view that the choice of Ghana to play England was based on a number of factors including Ghana’s extraordinary performance in football at all levels. According to them they had followed Ghanaian football at all major tournaments. “We were even in Cairo to watch Ghana playing Brazil during the under 21 world cup finals.”

The team announced that the historic fixture would be preceded by a special dinner on Monday the 28th of March, to be attended by high profiled dignitaries from both countries and other institutions and countries.

Professor Danso-Boafo thanked the group for their vision and efforts and pledged the mission’s assistance and support in the organisation of the game, which he described as momentous and great meet for the two countries.

He said Ghana has carved an enviable reputation for herself in all aspect of life and predicted that the game will be very interesting for all.

He noted that the game means more than a football match to Ghanaians. “First it will be used to strengthen the already exiting healthy relationship between the two countries.”

Professor Danso-Boafo himself a sport enthusiast said his office has already set up a committee to work on modalities and other needed logistics to make the game a monumental.

The match will be played before an expected full capacity of Wembley station including some members of the UK’s royal family as well as members of the African diplomatic corps in the UK. Though lips are currently tight on who will attend, the speculations are that Prince William may appear at the Wembley Stadium to watch the Black Stars playing England weeks before his wedding on the 29th of April. The game will take place three days after Fabio Capello's side play their first Euro 2012 qualifier of the year in Wales, while the Black Stars will also be engaged by their Congolese counterparts at the same weekend.