by Sayed Otaru

Surely, they had no chance? Getting to the final of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations had to have been a fluke - the players are too young, Michael Essien is out injured, as is the penalty hero of the last U-20 World Cup final Agyemang-Badu. Sule Muntari might as well have continued to give Coach Milo the silent treatment and not flown out to South Africa with the squad - no? Riddled with injury and some level of division within the squad (Laryea Kingston's alleged and later denied verbal dressing down of Coach Milo: plus Muntari's continued dispute with Coach Milo, and later on some of his team mates ) - surely Ghana were going to cede "second spot" to Serbia or perhaps even Australia.

On July 2, 2010 this generation of Ghanaian footballers permanently sealed spots in the hearts of Ghanaians and Africans as a whole around the continent. The last of the 6 African teams standing, and only the 3rd African team to make it to the Quarter Finals. On this day, they didn't play for Ghana, they played for Africa!

Of course there are those on/from the African continent who do not bear Ghanaian nationalities and would argue that they did not share the same sentiments and wished Ghana ill luck because they were a jealous neighbor. I am fairly certain that the number of folks who expressed such sentiments was rather paltry. I encountered two such individuals and the best they could ramble on about was: "Well, Argentineans won't support Brazil, so as a Nigerian, why should I support Ghana?".

Fair play, but the dynamics are different. The rivalries do not have the same origins or characteristics. While fiercely competitive (note, never really violent) when up against one another, there has been a historical backing among African teams on the International stage at all levels of competition. Until such a time comes when African teams are dominating the senior setup on the international stage, I expect this trend to continue.

Back to the game - Ghana missing the increasingly impressive Dede Ayew (son of the legendary Abedi Pele), and Jonathan Mensah due to suspension started the game rather nervy. Muntari and KP Boateng weren't exerting the influence many expected them to have early on. As Ghana grew increasingly confident, my palpitations eased back to normal - what's this? I only feel this way (increased heart rate) about Nigerian football and a certain English club team that I support. I like Ghana and want them to win, but something else is going on here, this actually means a lot to me. Muntari's blinder from 35 yards had me in pure ecstasy!

The game as a whole was a rollercoaster and every time danger men Suarez or Forlan had the ball, we held our collective breaths. Forlan's amazing goal did little to help my fragile state. As the game wore on, you could see the Ghanaian players tiring our and my concern grew. When Suarez handled the ball in the very last minute of extra time, I thought "Yes, this is it! The football gods have finally stepped in for us!" As Gyan's penalty went off the cross bar, all hope died. It knocked the stuffing out of some of the players and fans alike. John Mensah's poor penalty and young Dominic Adiyiah's saved penalty later and a whole continent was in mourning. These men gave everything and some more all tournament long. The great manners Dede Ayew displayed in his interview with Super Sport earlier in the tournament paying homage to the "elders of the team" in typical African fashion showed the other side to the team that may perhaps not have been as visible to the public at large. Kwadwo Asamoah was another young stalwart who carried himself well all tournament long and is destined for great things provided he can keep his head down and continue to work hard. Gyan was inconsolable as he clearly identified himself as being at fault for this loss - I disagree with that notion, because the man was a warrior all tournament long and did very well to score the first Ghanaian spot kick during the shootout. There are heroes all over the team from Richard Kingson in goal to Kevin Prince Boateng who had only assumed the right to play for Ghana on May 12, 2010.

South Africa made us say: "Ayoba!", Cameroon had us saying: "Please take Emana off", Algeria had us saying: "You could have used Belloumi, Madjer & Menad!", Ivory Coast: "Why Sven, why would you play Dindane over Gervinho!", Nigeria: "Yaaakkkkuubbbuuu.....noooooooooooo!", and Ghana; Ghana made us cry...

The Black Stars have a bright future ahead of them. If Coach Milo does indeed stay on, I hope he gets the full backing of the Football Federation as well as ex players. He deserves that respect. A few days on from that now infamous day, I have spoken to several non-Ghanaian Africans and the consensus has been the same: "Otaru, that Ghana match pain me oh!" (in pidgin English). We are all (well mostly) proud of our Chales.