Mandela invites the Black Stars

The Former South African President Nelson Mandela, has extended a special invitation to the Black Stars of Ghana at his home. Mandela is said to be impressed with the team's performance so far at the tournament, and has therefore invited the team to call on him on Saturday July 3 in Cape Town.

Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Akua Sena Dansua, has confirmed the news saying the Black Stars would travel in a chartered flight.

"I am informed that the municipality of Port Elizabeth has offered to bring the Black Stars to Cape Town on Saturday to meet Mr Nelson Mandela." she said.

source: africanews.com

“We can only pray that they will win, but we are all right behind our team.” 

By Myrna van Pinxteren, Ghana

With Ghana being the last African country to make any change to win the World Cup title, the country is preparing for their victory. With flags on the cars and the noise of  vuvuzela’s in the streets, the Ghanaians are ready to support the Black Stars to win the next game.

Ghanaians feel it. The whole world is watching their team closely. Ghana is the only African country that made it to the quarter finals and now it is all or nothing. Will the Black Stars make Africa proud again and bring the cup a bit closer to Africa, or will they loose and go home, just like South Africa, Cameroon and the other African teams?

The match that is going to be played against Uruguay, is the subject of most conversations in Ghana. Not only on the streets of Accra and around, but also on the local television, radio and in the daily newspapers. Since their victory against USA last week, the Ghanaian media is now optimistic about the Black Stars to be the first African team winning the World Cup.

Sex
To prepare the supporters as good as possible, GTV is sending out all the matches Ghana played during this World Cup so far. This government owned television station is making the Ghanaians aware of the power of the Black Stars, by repeating the goals Ghana scored over and over again. The late night television show Soccer Chat is giving inside information about soccer to their viewers as well. Every formation is been discussed, and there is even a soccer outline for women on the show, to raise awareness for the sport which is mostly watched by men.

The national newspapers are also reporting every detail of the ups and downs of the Ghanaian players. Before the World Cup started, there was a discussion in the media if the Black Stars were allowed to have sexual contact before the start of an important match. Soccer supporter Emannuel: “Off course they cannot have sex before they are playing, they have to be focused. After we win the World Cup, the players have plenty of time for sex.”

Forest and falls
Although the signs of the World Cup are not very visible outside of the capital, the soccer spirit is high in other areas of the country as well. Even in the forests that are leading to the biggest water falls in Ghana, you hear the voice of the vuvuzela’s . The tourists visiting the falls are already dressing up in the colours of the flag and Shakira’s soccer song is been played every hour on the local radio station. The famous Coca Cola commercial is now the most popular ringtone for mobile phones.

The Ghanaians are optimistic about their team winning the World Cup. Newspaper seller Ernest: "I have been praying every night for the Black Stars. One goal is enough to take us to the next round and we will win this match."