It has been a very long day for all of us. Ghanaians all over the world in different time zones awakened to watch your game with
Australia. There are 32 teams in the World Cup but for us there is only one team. The Black Stars of Africa.
All of Africa is counting on us just like they did over 50 years ago when we led Africa's march to freedom which ended with the liberation of Madiba Nelson Mandela and his country. This has given real meaning to the key sentence in Nkrumah's speech at midnight on March 5, 1957.
“The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of the African continent."
Sometimes a game is more than sport. I write as I fly over the mighty Atlantic with my 19 year old son Kweku Edewar and his best friend Aaron, who by being a generation late, missed the inspiration that drove the Black Stars of old.
It is a simple inspiration - Ohene Djan put it best “only the best is good enough for Ghana and Africa." be inspired by our great history and believe in yourselves. Germany will have only 11 men on the field against you. Mere men just like you.
I have decided to come to Johannesburg with this young man to experience what his broad heritage is about. This will be my first visit to South Africa since 1975. We are as father and son going to
experience Azania, this beautiful gem of Africa during a historic African event- the World Cup of Football. For us, it is all about you, the Black Stars.
My 14 year old son Kofi and his mother, my wife, Ekua will be watching from Accra and our daughter, Adwoa will be glued to her TV in the Washington DC area. Like all Ghanaians everywhere, you are our oxygen.
Did I mention my 79 year old mother, a dyed in the wool “Phobian,” who will not take phone calls if Hearts or the Black Stars are playing?
From Cape Town to Cairo and from Banjul to Mombasa the continent is anticipating an absolutely ecstatic outcome from your next game.
That is all the inspiration you need to put your determination to win into action.
Each of you should write on a small card, what you are playing for and share your personal inspirations with each other. You will all know
after this exercise, that victory will find it's home at your feet and Ghana will lead her sons to victory.
I truly wonder what Baba Yara would do with the upcoming opportunity to shine against Germany. In the words of the old hymn "be not afraid for I am with you."
There are few essentials to the beautiful game. Talent, of which we are naturally blessed. Then there is strategy, which is in the hands
of your able and proven coach and highly skilled technical team. The skills you have displayed so far strike fear in all your opponents. We
have been plagued by injuries but " there is no easy walk to freedom."
As the leading African team, we are now the de facto host team. Our Shining Black Stars, be inspired and victory will be ours.
The Sankofa Band is playing "Africa, I remember".