ABU DHABI // If there is one thing that brings Ghanaians together, it’s football.
Fans of the two-time qualifiers for the World Cup tournament are hoping for great things from their national side this year. Ghana’s first clash is against the USA on June 17, with the match being shown at 2am UAE time. Also in Group G are Portugal and Germany.
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“I am excited that Ghana will, inshallah, bring the cup home. The line up of players is overwhelming and there is no doubt that our boys will make the mark,” said Abrahams Baffiasi, a 35-year-old project engineer who has lived in the UAE for almost six years.
“During this period, especially if my country win a match, there are celebrations and jubilations. Such instances are good for marriage proposals, requesting favours from friends and family. The opposite happens when Ghana loses,” he said.
“My national team is called the Black Stars. The star represents the hope of Africa and black symbolises the black man. The Black Stars of Ghana are a familiar name in the continent of Africa and beyond as the have left landmarks and milestones in the history of football.”
He said although there will not be same atmosphere for the games here in the UAE as compared to back home in Ghana, that is no reason not to show support.
“It will not be same as watching it with my family back home or getting to watch it in Brazil. But since the UAE is a second home for me, I will grab my red, gold and green flag, lift it high, sound my vuvuzela, in support of the Black Stars of Ghana.
“With four African Cups of Nations and two successful appearances in the World Cup, Ghana has changed the dimension of football. Names like Abedi Pele, Asomoah Gyan, Michael Essien are a few legends in the football arena,” said Mr Baffiasi.
“Looking at things, coming from Ghana – our hopes are high – we learnt out mistakes from the first time and second time,” said 41-year-old barbershop owner Ebenezer Koomson, known to his friends as ‘Humble.’
“In our team I like the attitude the coach has taken. The team has been this way for some time with the same coach. I can say 99 per cent of Ghanaians are behind the coach.
“I am happy to be a Ghanaian, football is so important to us. From the government to the people on the street. The thing that unifies us the most is football. You see us all together – we don’t care where you are from, it is just about the game.”
Mr Koomson said supporters in the UAE usually gather in small groups to watch the Black Stars’ matches.
“It is totally different here than at home, just because of work schedules – because most of the time people have to work. But in Ghana you would have 400 people watching in the same place.
“I run a barber’s shop and a lot of my friends will come to the shop to watch. There are also a lot of Emiratis that support Ghana I think.
He said he isn’t afraid of the other teams in their group.
“There is something in this team that the world has not seen yet. I think semi-final minimum – but I want us to be in the final. It all comes down to the groups, and I am not worried about these teams,” he said.
ksinclair@thenational.ae