Ghana 2008 Draw Fever Hits Accra
Barely
48 hours to the main draw of the Ghana 2008 Africa
Cup of Nations, Ghana has been hit
by the biggest football fever in recent time
According to
Cafonline.com,
the last time the nation experienced such a feeling
was during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, when
the Black Stars reached the last 16 on their maiden
appearance.
The ceremony has been fixed for the plush Accra
International Conference Centre between 15:00 and
17:00 GMT.
The Ghanaian capital is currently being besieged by
football fans from all walks of life as everyone is
hoping to be part of the topmost event preceding the
opening and closing ceremonies of the 26th edition
of the continent’s biggest football party.
There is a huge representation of CAF hierarchy
including its President, Issa Hayatou and Executive
Committee members, sponsors and representatives of
the sixteen qualified teams while the Ghana 2008
Local Organising Committee are putting finishing
touches to a successful hosting of the event.
On the streets of Accra, excited football fans are
set to share their expectations on the ceremony,
expected to be beamed live to millions across the
World.
To them, the draw is another test for the LOC, as
its outcome will have a strong impact on the
expectations of the January 20th to February 10th
2008 Championships.
”I am looking up to a positive ceremony. I’m just
praying my team (Ghana)
gets a better grouping,”
said Edward Ackumey, a football fan in Accra.
The fever is no different in the media as virtually
all the institutions -- print and electronic -- are
promoting the Ghana 2008 ACN Draw.
The Newspapers are not left out of the frenzy as
they were adorned with various headlines --``Soccer
fever in the air'' (Graphic Sports) “In which group
will Ghana be'' (Ghanaian
Times) in their October 17 editions.
The 16 countries, which have qualified for the
competition, are host Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon,
Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Sudan, and Tunisia.
Others are Morocco, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia,
Ivory Coast, Senegal, Benin and Angola.
NAN/YINKA