World Cup 2010- Small Axe Cuts Down an Oak, the Grebo Say:Ghana Black Star Has Won USA 2-1. The Game is Over. Africa, We Love You!

The game between Ghana and USA proved that Ghana is a great team. The Ghanaian boys played very well, and despite that one penalty kick that put America in the game, Ghana prevailed. Ghana, thank you, thank you.

Ghana Vs. USA =2 to 1 for Ghana: The Game is Hot!!!!

Ghana Leading USA 2-1, Half Time in Extra Time: Ghana Must Return With Momentum If They Should Win America and American Players Must Stop Falling All Over the Place; This is Football!

Ghana Black Star, Ghana Black Star, Ghana Black Star, we love you!

The beginning of the half time in the extra time play means this game is for anyone. America must fight to equalize and the Ghana Black Star boys must defend their goal as well as shoot for a third goal. All of Africa seems to hang on Ghana. America also cannot lose to the same team that threw them out of the World Cup. Another free kick for America. Ghana is great. Each free kick is defended by these boys. They are a great team and they work together. They deserve to win the match against USA.

Ghana Black Star Is Great. Africa, We Love You! Ghana is Great, Another Goal, 2-Ghana, 1 USA

I hate the free kicks, the corner kicks, the penalty kicks given to USA by the referee. The American boys are falling all over the place, expecting someone to rescue them with a free goal. The Ghanaian boys on the other hand, must stop playing dribble ball and kick. OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH, Ghana has scored again!!!!

Penalty Goal for America: Ghana Black Star Needs to Return With Fire in A Real Goal

With America equalizing of the scores in that penalty kick, Ghana needs to pick up speed and score another goal if they should win this match. All of Africa is resting on only this game. The penalty kick was called for a play that was similar to other plays that were never called, if you ask me. Ghana Black Star is still outplaying America.

The American players have had so many free kicks, and have not been able to capitalize on them. Ghana needs to get back the momentum they began the match with and score another goal. They need to beat America if they want to remain in the World Cup. With 85 minutes gone in the match, everyone awaits another goal. Ghana Black Star players seem to be a bit weary, but the American boys are not able to capitalize on this apparent loss of momentum.

The yellow card in the 91st minute of the game was an unfair card given to the Ghanaian player. The American player fell on his own, but that yellow card is of no use anyway.

Afrique / Africa by David Diop (1927-1960)

Filed under: For teachers,Poems and stuff — Claude @ 10:29 pm

Claudia, from TBNY, blogged this beautiful and moving poem by David Diop. David Diop was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1927, to a Cameroonean mother and a Sengalese father. I liked the idea of showing both texts, side by side.
(Credits: Blogging in Paris)

Africa

Afrique mon Afrique Afrique des fiers guerriers dans les savanes ancestrales Afrique que me chantait ma grand-mère Au bord de son fleuve lointain Je ne t’ai jamais connue Mais mon regard est plein de ton sang Ton beau sang noir à travers les champs répandu Le sang de ta sueur La sueur de ton travail Le travail de l’esclavage L’esclavage de tes enfants Afrique dis-moi Afrique Est-ce donc toi ce dos qui se courbe Et se couche sous le poids de l’humilité Ce dos tremblant à zébrures rouges Qui dit oui au fouet sur les routes de midi Alors gravement une voix me répondit Fils impétueux cet arbre robuste et jeune Cet arbre là -bas Splendidement seul au milieu de fleurs blanches et fanées C’est l’Afrique ton Afrique qui repousse Qui repousse patiemment obstinément Et dont les fruits ont peu à peu L’amère saveur de la liberté.

Africa my Africa Africa of proud warriors in ancestral savannahs Africa of whom my grandmother sings On the banks of the distant river I have never known you But your blood flows in my veins Your beautiful black blood that irrigates the fields The blood of your sweat The sweat of your work The work of your slavery Africa, tell me Africa Is this your back that is unbent This back that never breaks under the weight of humiliation This back trembling with red scars And saying no to the whip under the midday sun But a grave voice answers me Impetuous child that tree, young and strong That tree over there Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers That is your Africa springing up anew Springing up patiently, obstinately Whose fruit bit by bit acquires The bitter taste of liberty.

World Cup 2010- Ghana Vs. USA in Half Time with Ghana Black Star Leading. The Ghanaian Boys Outplayed the USA Boys, Keeping the Ball in America’s Court

Ghana Black Star Against the USA today puts Ghana on top of the match. The lead that Ghana has established in the first half is amazing, but a win for America will give America more opportunity than a win to Ghana. But Africans all over the world do not care about that. They want Ghana to defeat the great USA.

USA is not playing to their own satisfaction. Their goal keeper has not proven to be as good as the Ghanaian goal keeper. The US players cannot maintain possession of the ball, and cannot get close to scoring. Ghana’s performance is exciting, and if the USA is not careful, Ghana will again bring their play in this World Cup to an end. With many corner kicks, free kicks, the USA is still unable to maintain control of the ball. What was most interesting is that the Ghana Black Star Boys are today more coordinated than in their last match, controlling the ball, defending their goal, producing a very clean first goal in the first few minutes of the game.

With half time, everyone is paused to see how Ghana maintains the lead and kicks America out of the World Cup games. Ghana is again the lone defender of an entire continent, reminding those of us who grew up in West Africa that indeed, Ghana Black Star is Ghana Black Star and nothing less. It will be surprising if America can return and be the comeback kid they say they are. Ghana is playing football. America needs to play football if they will win this match.

Current squad (I got this from Wikipedia)

The following 23-man squad was selected for the World Cup list. Caps and goals updated as June 23, 2010.

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club 1 GK Daniel Adjei November 10, 1989 (1989-11-10) (age 20) 3 0 Liberty Professionals 16 GK Stephen Ahorlu September 5, 1988 (1988-09-05) (age 21) 0 0 Heart of Lions 22 GK Richard Kingson (vice-captain) June 13, 1978 (1978-06-13) (age 32) 81 1 Wigan Athletic 2 DF Hans Sarpei June 28, 1976 (1976-06-28) (age 33) 32 0 Bayer Leverkusen 4 DF John Pantsil June 15, 1981 (1981-06-15) (age 29) 58 0 Fulham 5 DF John Mensah (vice-captain) November 29, 1982 (1982-11-29) (age 27) 65 0 Lyon 7 DF Samuel Inkoom August 22, 1989 (1989-08-22) (age 20) 16 0 Basel 8 DF Jonathan Mensah July 13, 1990 (1990-07-13) (age 19) 7 0 Free State Stars 15 DF Isaac Vorsah June 21, 1988 (1988-06-21) (age 22) 15 0 Hoffenheim 19 DF Lee Addy September 26, 1990 (1990-09-26) (age 19) 12 0 Bechem Chelsea 6 MF Anthony Annan July 21, 1986 (1986-07-21) (age 23) 41 1 Rosenborg 9 MF Derek Boateng May 2, 1983 (1983-05-02) (age 27) 22 3 Getafe 10 MF Stephen Appiah (captain) December 24, 1980 (1980-12-24) (age 29) 66 6 Bologna 11 MF Sulley Muntari August 27, 1984 (1984-08-27) (age 25) 54 16 Internazionale 13 MF André Ayew December 17, 1989 (1989-12-17) (age 20) 24 1 Arles-Avignon 17 MF Abdul Rahim Ayew April 16, 1988 (1988-04-16) (age 22) 6 0 El Zamalek 21 MF Kwadwo Asamoah September 9, 1988 (1988-09-09) (age 21) 18 1 Udinese 23 MF Kevin-Prince Boateng March 6, 1987 (1987-03-06) (age 23) 5 1 Portsmouth 3 FW Asamoah Gyan November 22, 1985 (1985-11-22) (age 24) 42 21 Rennes 12 FW Prince Tagoe November 9, 1986 (1986-11-09) (age 23) 21 3 Hoffenheim 14 FW Matthew Amoah October 24, 1980 (1980-10-24) (age 29) 44 11 NAC Breda 18 FW Dominic Adiyiah November 29, 1989 (1989-11-29) (age 20) 7 0 Milan 20 MF Quincy Owusu-Abeyie April 15, 1986 (1986-04-15) (age 24) 15 2 Al Sadd

GHANA SCORES AGAINST USA: AFRICANS PAUSE TO CHEER GHANA BLACK STAR- We Love You Black Stars. A Small Axe Can Cut Down an Oak, So Say the Grebo.

Ghana’s win against USA is a victory for Africans all over the world. Go, Ghana, a small axe can cut down an oak.

Ghana Scores Against USA- Go Ghana Black Star- We Love You!

GHANA BLACK STAR, WE LOVE YOU!

AFRICA, WE LOVE YOU!

South Africa

South Africa was the first of the African countries to bring that pride and unity to us, and we were not disappointed in the 1-1 goal. An emotional match, many of us poised to celebrate South Africa, to celebrate the game on our continent, and the past of the host country.

Nigeria, West Africa

Afrique / Africa by David Diop (1927-1960)

Afrique mon Afrique Afrique des fiers guerriers dans les savanes ancestrales Afrique que me chantait ma grand-mère Au bord de son fleuve lointain Je ne t’ai jamais connue Mais mon regard est plein de ton sang Ton beau sang noir à travers les champs répandu Le sang de ta sueur La sueur de ton travail Le travail de l’esclavage L’esclavage de tes enfants Afrique dis-moi Afrique Est-ce donc toi ce dos qui se courbe Et se couche sous le poids de l’humilité Ce dos tremblant à zébrures rouges Qui dit oui au fouet sur les routes de midi Alors gravement une voix me répondit Fils impétueux cet arbre robuste et jeune Cet arbre là -bas Splendidement seul au milieu de fleurs blanches et fanées C’est l’Afrique ton Afrique qui repousse Qui repousse patiemment obstinément Et dont les fruits ont peu à peu L’amère saveur de la liberté.

Africa my Africa Africa of proud warriors in ancestral savannahs Africa of whom my grandmother sings On the banks of the distant river I have never known you But your blood flows in my veins Your beautiful black blood that irrigates the fields The blood of your sweat The sweat of your work The work of your slavery Africa, tell me Africa Is this your back that is unbent This back that never breaks under the weight of humiliation This back trembling with red scars And saying no to the whip under the midday sun But a grave voice answers me Impetuous child that tree, young and strong That tree over there Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers That is your Africa springing up anew Springing up patiently, obstinately Whose fruit bit by bit acquires The bitter taste of liberty.

Ghana, West Africa

I have been watching the World Cup of Nations 2010 being held in South Africa, and for the most part, I am intrigued by the unity among Africans in their support of African teams. Of course, Nigeria was defeated in its bid against Argentina, but Ghana’s win against Serbia was celebrated across Africa and in the world by Africans. Despite Nigeria’s loss, Africans remain proud of Nigeria.

Cameroon, West Africa

When Cameroon played Japan, the expectation was that Cameroon, the powerful Indomitable Lions would certainly defeat Japan. Disappointingly, Cameroon did not win that game and Japan walked away with the lone goal. But speaking to Africans on the continent, in the US and other places, one still sees that admiration for Cameroon and a love that convinces that despite our troubles in the continent, the love for our teams remains strong.

Today, Ivory Coast is up against Portugal in a very exciting game. Ivory Coast was not expected to lead in this match, but hey, Ivory Coast is playing very powerfully, and in fact, as I write, the goal keeper for Ivory Coast has just caught a very powerful ball that was supposed to be a goal. The Ivorian boys are playing beyond the expectation of everyone.

Ivory Coast

Today, Ivory Coast is up against Portugal in a very exciting game. Ivory Coast was not expected to lead in this match, but hey, Ivory Coast is playing very powerfully, and in fact, as I write, the goal keeper for Ivory Coast has just caught a very powerful ball that was supposed to be a goal. The Ivorian boys are playing beyond the expectation of everyone. The game has just ended with a goaless draw. What a great team. And are we proud of Ivory Coast!

The Ivorian boys are playing beyond the expectation of everyone.

Many of us football fans who have never followed the games in such a close way are following the games for one major reason:

The world cup is today being held for the first time on our soil, in our homeland, on a continent filled with the blood of suffering and pain. This is the homecoming for many. It is without a doubt that this is also an emotional celebration. The World Cup is not just being held in Africa; it is being held in South Africa, the home of pain and suffering under the evils of racism. Africans may have many problems, but the unity between nations is being tested. Ask an African to tell you who they support when an African team is up against a non-African team, and they will tell you they support the African team. It does not matter that we speak different Colonial Languages from region to region or from country to country. What matters is that Africans know that the languages and borders are only creations of an outside force.

YOUR PRESENCE
(by David Diop)

In your presence I rediscovered my name;
My name that was hidden under the pain of separation;
I rediscovered the eyes no longer veiled with fever;
And your laughter like a flame piercing the shadows,
Has revealed Africa to me beyond the snow of yesterday;
Ten years my love.

With days of illusions and shattered ideas;
And sleep made restless with alcohol;
The suffering that burdens today with the taste of tomorrow;
And that turns love into a boundless river;

In your presence I have rediscovered the memory of my blood;
And necklaces of laughter hung around our days;
Days sparkling with ever new joys.

I was listening when the commentator of the game between Ivory Coast and Portugal exclaimed that it is amazing that all of Africans at the stadium are cheering the African teams. Is that supposed to be a surprise? No. The games now being played on our soil are a cause for celebration that not only is the world coming together, but that Africa will prevail against the odds.