by Ola Olaniyi, MBA '08

A visit to Ghana would have been incomplete without a live soccer match. After the trip organizers began working hard on getting us tickets to watch the Olympic qualifier game between Ghana and Ethiopia, we were disappointed when Ethiopia announced its decision not to participate in the tournament, giving Ghana an automatic victory. However, this was to change when our soccer loving Ghana trippers found out that the finals of the soccer tournament of the West Africa University Games was scheduled for Saturday, March 29 between the University of Ghana and University of Parakou, Benin Republic.

As we approached the nearly completed University of Ghana stadium driven by Mr. Daniel who had done a fantastic job getting us around Ghana all week long and who was eager to see the game himself, the importance of this game was immediately apparent. Once close to the stadium, we had to maneuver our way through traffic to finally make it to the parking lot of the stadium. Parked next to us were buses from University of Ibadan, Amadu Bello University, University du Cocody, Cote d'Ivoire and University du Bouake representing some of the nearly 50 West African universities that participated in the games. These mostly 40-seater buses had ferried their student athletes across the West African coastline to participate in the tournament.

High spirited and eager to catch some action, Sloanies file into the all but silent main bowl of the UG stadium. As we rolled in, initially trying to negotiate sitting under the covered tents near the VIP stand, it was clear where the action was. From across, we heard the loud pre-game drumming and singing of the host team supporters. Not only would it be a lot more fun to be at the center of action, one of the trip organizers, Kwesi Frimpong attended the University of Ghana.

Now seated across the fifth and sixth rows on the UGA supporters' side, we had a near perfect view of the pitch and were free to sing, dance or yell "gooooooaaaaaaaal" whenever it came without any fear of disturbing the peace of any VIPs. Yes, we were literally seated where the action was.

The game started shortly afterwards with both teams struggling to establish control. Numerous passes went unconnected and there were lots of aerial balls with limited control. What was to become a fairly physical game started off with some tough challenges. University of Parakou was to settle in first floating some accurate passes and making dangerous runs across the University of Ghana defense. As if responding to the chants from the stands, University of Ghana soon took control of the midfield with their number ten position taking charge and sending some dangerous passes across the flanks. The Ghanaian right flank began to put tremendous pressure on the Béninois defense creating much work for their two central defenders and left back. Much of the passes down the left flank were unproductive as UG's number 14 shirt failed to make an impressive impact on the game. In fact, it got so bad that supporters began calling for his change. At this point, the game had become quite entertaining especially with the deft touches of Ghana's number 10 shirt.

Back in the stand, we were enjoying the singing, drumming, yelling and occasional silence of UG supporters. About thirty minutes into the game, following a quick run down the left side, UG's midfield mastermind (number 10) made a swift turn pushing the ball past two defenders. As he struck his terrific right-footer, the entire stadium rose in anticipation. There was no disappointment. Straight off his foot, the ball was powered into the right upper angle of the goal post speeding past every defender and clearly beating the goalie who had no response to the thunderstorm. "Gooooooaaaaaaaal! Goooooooaaaaaaal!", we all sang and screamed at the top of our voices. The first half ended 1-0 in favor of University of Ghana.

During the half time break, some Sloanies in their usual networking mode made their way to the VIP stand to meet the Vice-Chancellor (president) of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, hosts of the next edition of the West Africa University Games. Prof. Oloyede shared his university's enthusiasm and preparedness to host the competition in the Southwestern city of Ilorin, an historic town often cited as a confluence of the old Oyo and Fulani empires. Sloanies also got the opportunity to meet and briefly chat with Nigeria's minister of sports. Heading back to the stands, we got some fan-ice and meat-pie, two popular snacks in Ghana.

On resumption of the second half, both teams displayed a lot of purpose in their style and were quite entertaining. Fifteen minutes into the half, the University of Ghana side soon relaxed into their one goal lead as their opponents began pushing for an equalizer. After several fruitless efforts, the University of Parakou got themselves back into contention when number 9 shirt took a powerful shot from outside the 18-yard box that hit the crossbar. An unmarked number 8 shirt tucked the ball nicely into the net to level the game. With both teams now even at 1-1, the game became extremely charged as both sides searched for that elusive winning goal. It also became particularly physical at this time with the stretcher carrying out players from both teams at least eight times in the last 20 minutes of the game.

Sloanies witnessed their final piece of action when a University of Ghana striker was brought down on the edge of the penalty box in stoppage time. The stadium became encapsulated by shouts of "penalty! Penalty!". However, the referee failed to budge to the pressure, instead, awarding a free kick righ on the edge of the box. The entire stadium was at this point on its feet in anticipation of what could be the final action of the game. Sure enough, the free kick was well delivered and the ball headed straight for the right lower corner of the net. However, a brilliant and courageous save from the University of Parakou goal keeper saved the day as he parried the ball away from goal.

By now, it was six o'clock and we had to leave for our final dinner. We never got to see the end of this action-packed game but every moment was well worth it.