Ghana eyes AFCON title
February 6, 2015
Ghanaian soccer fans who thronged a popular food court in Accra to cheer the Black Stars, Ghana's national soccer team, told DW they were thrilled by their team's performance. Ghana ended Equatorial Guinea's dream of reaching their first ever Africa Cup of Nations final, when they them 3-0.
Ghana thus qualifies for Sunday's (08.02.2015) final against neighbors Ivory Coast. But Thursday's semifinal match wasn't without controversy. The game had to be suspended for more than half an hour amidst rioting by home fans.
With less than 10 minutes to stoppage time, supporters of the host nation began throwing bottles and other items on to the pitch in disappointment at the performance of their team.
Ghanaian fans targeted
Supporters of Ghana's Black Stars at the Malabo stadium became immediate targets and many were forced to seek refuge on the pitch.
The referee resumed the match and Ghana's victory was confirmed at the end of the game. Ghanaian fan, Charles Ackon said he was shocked and disappointed by the disruption of the game. "This is disgraceful, this is awful," Ackon said. He complained that the police should have picked up those who were throwing objects since they could see them.
Katty Sakyi, another fan who spoke to DW after the match, said, "It just shows why the team [Equatorial Guinea] has lost and why we won."
"I feel embarrassed and I feel humiliated," Kwame Danso said. "Even though Ghana has won and ideally I am supposed to be excited, what happened is a bad reflection of the continent, it shows how bad our patience levels are."
Kakrah Siaw was more enthusiastic: "I feel excited about everything." According to her, what counts is that they won the match in the end.
Eyeing the trophy
Ghanaian football fans are now counting on victory when they play Ivory Coast on Sunday's final. The last time the two African soccer power houses met was in 1992. Ivory Coast then won its first AFCON title beating Ghana 11-10 on penalty kicks after a goalless draw.
Former Black Stars player turned coach, Felix Aboagye, told DW in an interview he is hopeful that Ghana is ready to make history. "With this performance, I think they have got a big chance because it's been a long time since the Black Stars played such exciting football," Aboagye said.
"Even during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil they couldn't exhibit such wonderful football."
It is now up to Ghana's soccer team to prove Aboagye right by clinching the title. But one thing is certain; Sunday's final is a must-see.