Ghana why?

RNW's Sophie van Leeuwen was among the Ghanaian fans in Amsterdam:

Mubarak is jumping around the square in the suburb Bijlmermeer, wearing a green hat, a yellow shirt and a Ghanese flag. He and his entire football team are celebrating the goal against Uruguay.

“I am a goalkeeper myself, just like Kingston. I’m short, but, well just ask them…” Mubarak points at his friends who start shouting: “Every ball you give him, he’ll stop! He’s one of the best!”

The boys are going crazy. Mubaraks expectations are high: “We’ll be the first African team to reach the semi-finals. No one else will be able to do it again. This is so big… We are not playing just for Ghana alone but for the whole of Africa.”

After the penalty’s Mubarak looks angry and disappointed. He doesn’t want to talk. His football friends desperately shout: "Ghana why? Ghana why?" After a while, the goalkeeper is ready for some football commentary.

He shakes his head: “It's a disaster. I didn't expect this at all. Now we’ll have to wait for the next World Cup in Brazil. We’ll see what we can do there.”

The country that should have made the whole continent proud, did not keep its promises and lost against Uruguay after penalties. It is over. Ghana is going home.

By Myrna van Pinxteren

They were so close to the semi–finals, but did not make it. “We could have won, but we lost. We only have ourselves to blame.”

It is a big night for Ghana. In their second appearance in the World Cup they are representing not only Ghana, but Africa as a whole. Even in the small village of Kodzeto in the Volta Region, supporters are united behind their Black Stars. Gathered around the only television in the village, the people of Kotzeto are ready to see their hero’s beating Uruguay. More than forty men, women and children are watching the match on the small screen. There is barely enough space in front of the television, six men are squished on one small bench and cooking pots are being transformed into temporary seats. Even the 93 year old chief is sitting proudly in the crowd to cheer for his team. “Africa needs us. We are going to keep the cup in Africa.”

In the first half of the game, the atmosphere is very optimistic. Gedion: “This game is going to be difficult, but in the end we will celebrate our victory.” After Ghana’s first goal, the sound of drums and whistle can be heard. “Here in the village, we know how to cheer for our team. Although we only have a small television, we are all supporting our Stars”, Hannah said. Divine is agreeing with her completely. “We are all very exciting that Ghana did come this far as the only African nation. And we are going all the way to the finals.”

Even after the equalising gaol from Uruguay, the Ghanaian supporters are still keeping up the spirit. Linda: “Don’t worry, we will still win with 2 – 1, Ghana is going to win the cup.” Gedion is a not that optimistic anymore. “Until we reach the finals, we do not win. Brazil was leading as well, and they lost the game. Soccer is unpredictable.”

And the match was unpredictable. Ghana could have saved their selve with one single penalty during extra time, but the ball only reached the top bar of the goal. After this mistake during the last minutes of extra time, the Ghanaian supporters knew it was over. Most of the people saw the shooting of the penalties with their hands before their eyes. 15 year old Franky: “I am too scared to see what is going on. The pressure is too much.” After missing two shots, the dream for the Black Stars is over and there is no reason for celebration in Ghana. The streets remain quiet and the supporters disappointed and speechless. “They tried, but made stupid mistakes in the end. I am very sorry for Ghana, but we can still say that we were the only African team reaching the quarter finals of the 2010 World Cup.”