“Fantastic”, was how a Ghanaian football fan welcomed news of Ghana’s qualification to next year’s World Cup Tournament in South Africa.
And how apt his description is. Indeed it echos the feelings of most Ghanaians as evidenced yesterday, when fans poured onto the streets of major cities throughout the country, in celebration.
Ghana, represented by the gallant Black Stars, ensured absolute qualification with a 2-0 victory over Sudan in their Group D match at the Ohene Djan Studium in Accra yesterday.
The remarkable thing, about this achievement, is that, the Stars went through four gruelling qualifying matches without a defeat, not even a draw.
And what is more, Ghana becomes the first African country, apart from host South Africa, to make it to the finals.
Nobody can begrudge these fans for the wild celebrations that were witnessed across the country.
When the draws were announced, most people had doubts about the Black Stars ability to pick a ticket to South Africa.
Even Book-makers of international repute, were emphatic, that it would be extremely difficult for Ghana to sail through.
But, Ghana has proved them all wrong, with this stunning achievement, which incidentally gives the country a straight consecutive appearance to a world cup final. The first was in 2006 hosted by Germany.
For coach Milovan Rajevac, the feat is a personal one, which he will forever cherish, given the doubts people expressed about his credentials as a coach, capable of achieving anything good for the country.
But like his men, he has proved, that with determination and the tenacity of purpose, nothing is impossible.
The Ghanaian Times joins Ghanaians in congratulating all those who, in one way or the other, contributed to this great achievement.
We, particularly, salute the gallant players and the technical men, who in spite of the many difficult challenges, never gave up, but fought hard and made personal sacrifices to see this dream come true.
Showing appreciation is a way of not only motivating the players and the technical bench, but also encouraging them to die more for Ghana; and that is why the Times is appealing to the government to adequately reward them for their sterling performance.
Whiles congratulating the entire team, we also wish to remind all involved, that the real task is ahead; that is when Ghana lines up against the other countries to battle for the cup itself.
It is, therefore, important that preparations for the tournament starts from now and not when the competition is just around the corner.
Our maiden appearance in 2006 was remarkable and it is the wish of all Ghanaians that we improve upon it in 2010.
Once again we say “Ayekoo”.
And how apt his description is. Indeed it echos the feelings of most Ghanaians as evidenced yesterday, when fans poured onto the streets of major cities throughout the country, in celebration.
Ghana, represented by the gallant Black Stars, ensured absolute qualification with a 2-0 victory over Sudan in their Group D match at the Ohene Djan Studium in Accra yesterday.
The remarkable thing, about this achievement, is that, the Stars went through four gruelling qualifying matches without a defeat, not even a draw.
And what is more, Ghana becomes the first African country, apart from host South Africa, to make it to the finals.
Nobody can begrudge these fans for the wild celebrations that were witnessed across the country.
When the draws were announced, most people had doubts about the Black Stars ability to pick a ticket to South Africa.
Even Book-makers of international repute, were emphatic, that it would be extremely difficult for Ghana to sail through.
But, Ghana has proved them all wrong, with this stunning achievement, which incidentally gives the country a straight consecutive appearance to a world cup final. The first was in 2006 hosted by Germany.
For coach Milovan Rajevac, the feat is a personal one, which he will forever cherish, given the doubts people expressed about his credentials as a coach, capable of achieving anything good for the country.
But like his men, he has proved, that with determination and the tenacity of purpose, nothing is impossible.
The Ghanaian Times joins Ghanaians in congratulating all those who, in one way or the other, contributed to this great achievement.
We, particularly, salute the gallant players and the technical men, who in spite of the many difficult challenges, never gave up, but fought hard and made personal sacrifices to see this dream come true.
Showing appreciation is a way of not only motivating the players and the technical bench, but also encouraging them to die more for Ghana; and that is why the Times is appealing to the government to adequately reward them for their sterling performance.
Whiles congratulating the entire team, we also wish to remind all involved, that the real task is ahead; that is when Ghana lines up against the other countries to battle for the cup itself.
It is, therefore, important that preparations for the tournament starts from now and not when the competition is just around the corner.
Our maiden appearance in 2006 was remarkable and it is the wish of all Ghanaians that we improve upon it in 2010.
Once again we say “Ayekoo”.
