It would be quite an achievement if Ghana were to beat a powerhouse like Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Holland or Spain. However, to borrow the words of Vice-President Biden, it would be “a big f - - king deal” for Ghana to defeat England considering the shared history between the two countries. For the first time the Black Stars of Ghana have a rare opportunity to play England on March 29, 2011 at the senior level more than a century after introducing the game of football to the then Gold Coast and over 50 years since Ghana gained independence from Britain.
Both countries have had tremendous impact on the game, particularly, the English. Ghana was the first country to win the African Cup of Nations titles four times and over the years has produced some of the best nimble feet to joggle the round leather. For one time World Cup winner England, the history of football would be incomplete without its contributions beyond the enviable feat as inventors of the game. Currently, the English Barclays Premiership is arguably the most competitive and most followed league in the world.
But in the recent past both countries have enjoyed different fortunes in world football. Ghana continues to bolster its image in world football following an impressive debut at the 2006 World Cup and a Cinderella run at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa while England endured dismal performances at both competitions when its over-hyped and overrated “superstars” failed dismally to live up to over-blown expectations.
England, despite the perennial failings to match its bloated ascribed reputation with on the field performances always carry the grandiose pride as inventors of the beautiful game, and consider themselves as one of the best teams in the world. Although England (6th) sits ten places above Ghana (16th) in the latest FIFA rankings, Ghana boasts of some of the best performers in the English league and seems to believe its game has come of age. For Ghana, beating England on its home turf would be another huge step in its ascendancy in world football.
The English are in a rebuilding process leading up to the 2012 European Championship. So far, they are on course to qualify for the tournament and as ever seem to be in contention as tournament favorites. For reinstated captain John Terry and his team mates, anything short of a resounding victory over a new-comer Ghana to the world football stage would be a major embarrassment and a blow to their elephant size egos.
Despite the label – international friendly - when the two teams meet in the iconic and hallowed Wembley Stadium, there would be nothing friendly about the encounter. There is more at stake in this encounter than just football bragging rights. Besides Ghana bolstering its standing in football cycles should it beat England on its home soil, the encounter bears geo-politico and economic undertones. Call me petty, but I think this is a chance to stick one to the Crown – bust England’s national pride as colonial masters!
Never mind the colonial vestiges of superiority of England over Ghana. Never mind that the UK is the biggest donor to Ghana’s begging leaky-bowl. Never mind the gulf of political power and influences between 10 Downing Street and the Osu Castle in global geo-politics. When the Black Stars of Ghana line up against the Three Lions of England, for ninety minutes it will a match-up of equals. Yes, for ninety minutes of football it wouldn’t matter who was the colonial master or the colonized; the developed or developing country; the recipient of donor aid or donor.
It would be Ghana’s eleven against England’s eleven battling it out to determine which the better side is. This game presents the Black Stars a rare opportunity to show the English how good Ghana has become at the game they taught them. Coached by one of the best coaches in the world, England is a more technically disciplined side as a team than the Black Stars. But the glittering Stars of Africa boasts of individually talented, skillful and exciting players eager to deflate England’s pride.
These are the kind of games you dream to be part of as player. As a football fan, it presents the rarest of opportunities to not only enjoy a dose of the beautiful game but most importantly score patriotic bragging rights. Will it be the Three Lions roaring the loudest or the Black Stars shining the brightest?
