Football Fever

The “Kickin it in Ghana” Summer Serve and Learn session culminated in a sensational two-day football tournament, held this past weekend. Local footballers take this annual tournament so seriously that apparently the various teams camp out in the bush to discuss their strategies in private, away from any eavesdroppers and potential spies!  Some players even go as far as requesting special blessings from their pastors, to ensure they bring their A-game to the tournament. This was GHEI’s second annual football tournament, and it was a popular attraction for Humjibre residents. A great crowd turned up, lining the field's perimeter with a solid wall of spectators. 

AC Milan takes a free kick against Barcelona

The first day of the tournament had the four teams, each named after a professional European club, face off against each other in an intense display of football prowess. Teams AC Milan, Chelsea, Golden Stars and Barcelona all showed amazing athleticism, with passions running high.  Since each team was scheduled to play three games that day, matches were limited to twenty-minute halves, so as not to exhaust the athletes.

Clouds of dust had little time to settle as the players chased the ball frantically. The teams played fiercely, with many players knocked to the ground as they scrambled for possession of the ball.  One unfortunate player lost his footing in a quick melee for the ball, tripping face first out of bounds. Hopping back up, he displayed a nasty-looking cut on his left cheekbone that certainly merited a few stitches.  After our volunteer coordinator cleaned and bandaged the wound this intrepid footballer was right back in the game. No pain, no gain!

The DJ blasted ‘Hip Life’ tunes at every goal scored, and the crowd danced and cheered with excitement.  Although all teams displayed remarkable ability, AC Milan and Chelsea were clearly the dominant forces on the pitch, and both earned their spot in the championship game, held the following day.

Day 2

To kick off the second day of the annual football tournament, GHEI staff played in a friendly match against World Eleven, a local men’s team.  Despite a marked difference in footwork skills between GHEI’s local and Western staff, we played well, but still lost 4‒2.  This match momentarily broke the tension of the competition, and the villagers seemed to enjoy watching GHEI get involved in the fun.

Next was the match between the two girls teams: Anglican Junior High School versus Christ Redeemer Junior High School.  To mark this special occasion and to show their support, the Chief of Humjibre and his council of elders made an opening statement before the match.  Next, both teams sang the tournament’s theme song: original lyrics to the tune of the World Cup Theme Song 'Waka Waka.'

Anglican defends against Christ Redeemer

“Humjibre, hey-hey

Football, Football, hey-hey,

Teamwork, Respect and Lots of Fun

This Time for Humjibre!

Humjibre, hey-hey

Football, Football hey-hey,

Passing, Scoring, Celebrating

This Time for Humjibre!”

The Chief then made a symbolic opening kickoff, and the game was on!  These young women played with the same determination as their male counterparts, and it was clear to anyone watching why a Humjibre local had made it to Ghana’s national women’s football team.  Anglican scored a goal towards the end of the first half and fought hard to keep their lead to the end of the match.

Chelsea

Finals

The crowd stirred as they waited patiently for the main event.  Just as people were becoming restless, out came Chelsea, running in troop and singing their club song while waving their banner with pride.  AC Milan waited a few moments for dramatic effect before slowly parading onto the field hand-in-hand with their young supporters, forming a huddle for a moment of prayer.

AC Milan and their young supporters

  

The game started in a surge of energy and the ball shot back and forth, switching from end to end so often that it wasn’t clear which team would prevail. Tension rose steadily as the fans awaited a goal, the crowd reacting boisterously to missed shots on net.  Eventually the half-time whistle was blown, with the teams still tied nil‒nil. 

Both teams returned from their half-time pep talks with a bounce in their steps, determined to dominate their opponents and finally put one by the goaltender. In yet another tussle for the ball, a foul was called on AC Milan, giving a penalty kick to Chelsea.  This opportunity was not squandered, and the Chelsea striker rocketed a shot into the top corner of AC Milan’s goal.  The fans went wild, many of them running onto the field to celebrate the well-executed shot.  AC Milan players grimaced in disgust, many of them contesting the call and questioning the referee’s impartiality.

Not long after, an AC Milan midfielder reciprocated with a swift shot past Chelsea’s goalie to tie the score.  The scorer flung his shirt off in triumph, running down the field with arms outstretched.  The game then played out much like the first half; a tied game with quick turnovers of possession.  Players made incredible vertical leaps for attempted headers, and the teams somehow maintained the same frenzied energy level as in the first half.

Finally, just as it seemed the match would carry on into overtime, an especially speedy Chelsea player sent the ball sailing through the air, where it hovered in limbo for a fraction of a second before flying through the goal posts.

Escobar in action

Chelsea team members and fans alike launched into jubilant hysterics, racing around the field and hollering in elation.  The scoring player did a quick victory dance before having his cleats polished in veneration by a teammate. The game resumed after excited fans were cleared from the field.  AC Milan had clearly lost morale and couldn’t get another shot in.  As the final whistle was blown half the crowd rushed onto the field to congratulate their champions.

‘Escobar,’ the player who had scored the game-winning shot, was quickly hoisted into the air in adoration.  After some well-earned celebrations, the teams were called over to the administrators’ tent to receive their prizes.  Top players were distinguished with medals and jerseys, and both the Anglican girls team and Chelsea received trophies.  Chelsea’s captain lifted the trophy to the sky, to the delight of his squad, and the group bolted off in a victory lap, singing their club’s song at the top of their lungs.

Many thanks to all those who made the competition possible, including our fantastic volunteers, dedicated staff and of course Humjibre’s formidable footballers.  Until next year!

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