Fans fall back in love with Ghana’s Black Stars
On the streets of the Ghanaian city of Kumasi, the build-up to the national football team’s match against Nigeria in the first leg of Friday’s World Cup qualifier started very early.
Dozens of fans are wearing their Ghana jerseys or red, yellow and green colours – many cars and taxis are also decorated with Ghana flags.
Many Black Stars fans fell out of love with their national team because of the trials and tribulations they have been through on and off the pitch over the last eight years after their controversial group stage exit from the 2014 World Cup.
This week the authorities have been trying to urge the supporters to show full support for the players in this huge game – and it appears to have worked.View more on TwitterView more on twitter
Despite the fact that there is some pessimism about Ghana’s chances against a very talented Nigeria team, the locals are out in force.
There was even a man with a microphone outside the ground when I arrived, geeing up those around him. As we drove past, I heard the words: “Cautious optimism but we will support the team” coming out of the speakers.
Ghana and Nigeria aren’t neighbours but it’s definitely got that local derby feel with the rivalry taking in sport, as well as culture and of course food, namely jollof rice.
There were plenty of Nigeria fans outside the ground to greet the team bus at their training session last night so the Super Eagles will have strong support too.
It’s going to be a very tense occasion but 11 years since they last played each other the atmosphere is set to be incredible.
Kick-off is at 19:30 GMT.
Other qualifiers being played are DR Congo v Morocco – this has already started. Cameroon v Algeria and Mali v Tunisia at 17:00 GMT, and Egypt v Senegal at 19:30 GMT.
