Ghanaians gathered to watch their countrymen file out to play against Botswana in the on-going Africa Cup of Nations and after the final whistle fans went agog with celebrations everywhere in the Gold Coast as the Black Stars of Ghana beat Botswana 1-0 to emerge winners.
The 16-team tournament is being co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
It was an exciting match that left many anxious as Botswana put up a tough fight, showing they would not be easily beaten,at the Jamestown neighbourhood in Accra crowds gathered to closely follow the match aired on huge screens mounted in an open field.
Ghana touted as one of the favourites to win the cup as the African heavyweights like Nigeria,Algeria, Cameroon and Egypt were not able to secure a safe slot for the competition.
Though most Ghanaians are optimistic that the black stars team will do well.
Ghana’s Black stars Captain, John Mensah scored in the first 25 minutes but was later sent off.
Mensah received the first red card of the tournament in the 66th minute when he knocked over Botswana striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana in a chase for the ball on the counter attack.
Botswana, one of several surprise qualifiers alongside Niger and Sudan, could have equalised but Botswana’s Moemedi Moatlhaping’s header was spectacularly hooked off the line by Ghana’s John Paintsil.
Ghana would have scored more goals but their opponents put up a strong defense against attacks from Asamoah Gyan and Jordan Ayew.
Ghana is hoping to capitalise on their World Cup performance 18 months ago. The Black Stars were hamstrung by the absence of key senior players at the last Nations Cup yet reached the final against expectations.
Two years on they have a confident and well-honed squad, even if unfit Michael Essien misses out again and they have been handed a tough opening group.
The Black stars now have 3 points and will proceed on to their second match where they will play against Mali.
Fans cheered on their national team and danced in the streets well into the night as they celebrated the tight victory.
