CAF:Delight and drama in Accra

Oneword · 21st January 2008, 07:04 AM

Delight and drama in Accra

FIFA

Ghana turned on its colour and charm with fireworks and drums on day one of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, but saved the real drama for the very end.

It was then, in the final minute of the hosts' opening match against Guinea, that a fantastic long-range strike by Sulley Muntari sealed a 2-1 win for the Black Stars and a provided a fitting climax to a spectacular day full of Ghanaian tradition.

The opening ceremony witnessed a helicopter fly a giant Ghana flag over the stadium and horses stride imperiously around the pitch, trotting between dancers who swayed to traditional drum beats, concluding with a human representation of Africa and a spectacular fireworks display.

The football was similarly eventful, albeit nervy and error ridden, and it saw Ghana hit the woodwork three times in the first half as they sought to grab the opening goal of the three-week-long tournament. First, their tall English-raised striker Junior Agogo twisted and turned on to a powerful header but watched in agony as it crashed back off the frame of the Guinea goal in the 20th minute.

Just eight minutes later, it was the turn of Quincy Owusu Abeyie, who shot from behind the visiting defence at a tight angle and saw his effort hit the woodwork but bounce out.

The Amsterdam-born Owusu Abeyie was making his debut for the Black Stars after being cleared just a week ago to take part, having previously represented Netherlands in the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Muntari magic
Asamoah Gyan then had an effort disallowed for pushing before Muntari smashed a snap-shot against the post. At this stage, it seemed that luck had deserted the hosts, with the vast majority of their enthusiastic support perched nervously on the edge of their seats.

Then, however, came the award of a penalty in the 55th minute when Agogo went down under the challenge of Guinea's giant defender Oumar Kalabane. Gyan stepped up to crash the ball into the top of the net, sparking ecstatic scenes.

Yet within 10 minutes, the crowd had once again been silenced after Kalabane atoned for his earlier recklessness by heading home from a corner. Both sides were tiring by this stage in the sapping humidity but continued to trade blows at either end, like weary heavyweight fighters in the closing rounds of a bruising bout.

The crowd, too, seemed resigned to the inevitability of two dropped points and some even started to file towards the exits. It was then, just as the supporters began drifting out of the stands, that Muntari settled the outcome with a ferocious long-range shot that came completely out of the blue.

First came a communal gasp, followed quickly by a deafening roar. The crowd were in raptures, and within minutes they were happily strolling off home and into the Accra night, grinning widely and sounding their horns in celebration.

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