Ghana Makes History Again!

Friday, the 16th of October, Ghana made history once again. Our under 20 year old team, called the Black Satellites won the U20 World Cup.

They had already made history, when they passed from the Semi-Finals, to the Finals. No other African team, in any football (soccer) World Cup tournament has every made it to the finals. But, it was not enough for the young team. They wanted to win the cup!

This sounds easy for a team with that much spirit and courage, but they where going to face the Giants of Football, BRAZIL! No one outside of Ghana thought that they could do it. Brazil has a long history of victories, winning more Championships in each age group then any other country. Not to mention that a South American country has won ever last U20 World Cups in the last 12 contests.

It seemed that the football world's opinion was going to come true as the match began. Ghana, did not use it normal tactic of speed and attack, they seemed very nervous. Then about the 15:00 minute mark, they started to come alive, attacking the goal, and braking the Brazilian defenses.

Then the unthinkable happened. There was a poor executed pass my a Ghanaian midfielder, and the main Brazilian striker snatched it up. He was running full tilt down the field with one defensive man and the goalie in front of him. It looked like he might have a chance for a shoot on goal, then Ghana's main defense men came from behind with a delayed slide tackle.

Out came the RED CARD! Though, in my humble opinion, it was a harsh call, and denied the rules, since their was a defensive man in the back field, Ghana was still removed of a player. They where at the 20:00 minute mark, and would have to play the rest of the game 11 to 12!

It seemed impossible, but some how David defeated Goliath! The 11 men played for the full 90:00 minutes, and did not conceded a single goal. Though the goalie (keeper) had his work cut out, still Ghana managed to make a few shoots on goal themselves.

The 90:00 minutes finished, and they moved into extra time. Two 15:00 minute period passed, and still the score was Zero to Zero. It was coming down to penalties. The U20 World Cup, would come down to a shoot out. It clearly looked as if Brazil would win, since African teams are not known for their prowess in penalty shoots.

The first set of five came and went, and through the hard work of the Ghanaian keeper, the score was tied Three to Three. Then Brazil's main player and striker moved up to the line. With every eye of the world watching (outside America), everyone held their breath, as he pulled back and shoot, and.... MISSED! He did not get the goal!

Here was Ghana's chance, sudden death. If Ghana made this goal, they would go down in history as the first African team to WIN an International Title. The player stood up to the ball, aimed, and fired. It was a goooooooaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The ball totally deceived the keeper and the Ghanaian bench flooded the field. They had won!


The Brazilians fell on their faces in disbelief and agony! Ghana had won, and the stands exploded in cheers, and African drum beating!

Here in Ghana, the sounds began to rise! Millions of voices screaming in excitement. taxi, tro-tro, and bus horns added to the celebration! Children, women, men began to run up and down the empty streets at 9:00 pm to celebrate! All people cheered, 'broni' hugging 'biboni', American yelling with African, all enjoying the moment!

Since I have been a missionary, I have seen the world changing. Living in Ghana, we have been blessed to be apart of many positive changes. I am just thankful again to God, that I have been able to see another turning point in history.