AFTER NO-SHOW AT AFCON 2012
By Theodore M.K. Viwotor
Whilst Ghanaians reflect over the Black Stars’ painful defeat to the Chipolopolo Boys of Zambia at the semi-finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AfCON) competition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, members of the various supporters unions are harboring more pain in their hearts over the failure of government to sponsor them to the event.
Though they have secured visas at a high cost of GH?250.00 (above what is demanded by some European countries), they have not been able to travel to cheer the Black Stars on, since government has indicated it cannot bear their airfare, leaving them stranded in Accra.
Some supporters of the National Women’s Supporters Union (NAWSU), who spoke to this paper in separate interviews, regretted spending that amount of money on visas that has not served any purpose since it would no more be prudent for them to go to Gabon to support the Black Stars.
They expressed their surprise at the failure of government to support them, considering the importance supporters play in ensuring that players on the field give of their best towards victory.
“Since they knew they were not going to airlift us to the tournament, they shouldn’t have encouraged us to acquire the visas; we could have used the money to do other profitable things,” an agitated member fumed.
Some blamed the Stars’ loss to the Zambians on the supporters’ absence, especially with the semis of the AfCON 2012 tournament being played in virtually empty stadia, following the exit of the two hosts-Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Now that the Stars are no more in contention for the ultimate, the supporters are counting their loss, while looking up to Government for subsequent tournaments, South Africa 2013 being the next major one.
