There is little surprise in the score of the semi-final matchup between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea in the African Cup of Nations. Equatorial Guinea lost in a pretty one-sided 3-0 defeat to the Black Stars—1 goal each of the Ayew Brothers, Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew, and 1 goal for Mubarak Wakaso.
What was more surprising was how the loss was handled, for we distinguish the true character of our fellow brothers not in victory but in defeat.
Throughout the game, the Equatorial Guinea players put on a theater of flopping and whining about each possession. As a result, the referees called an exorbitant number of fouls and delivered several yellow cards. The flow of the game constantly halted to attend to the needs of the Equatorial Guinea team’s overall crabby temperament.
After the Black Star’s lead mounted to an insurmountable 3-0, the tension from the players decreased somewhat, only to be supplanted by the unrest from the fans. Some threw plastic water bottles and other rubbish onto the pitch. Dozens of others hurled themselves onto the pitch just feet away from players, threatening the safety of everyone at the game and causing the game to halt at the 80th minute.
What was an entertaining game, despite the numerous fouls, quickly escalated to an unnecessary standoff between disgruntled fans and confused players, referees, and police who seemed to only want the fans to leave the pitch so that the game would continue.
There was debate about whether to cancel the match prematurely, as the fans had no intention to abandon their new posts on the sidelines.
One commentator said: “With all due respect to Africa, this does African football no good. This is not how you organize a tournament.”
It is no wonder then that Equatorial Guinea was not initially selected to host the African Cup of Nations.
Fittingly, the team did not actually earn a position in the African Cup of Nations, but only managed to find a back door through hosting the tournament.
Morocco was originally the host for the continental tournament, which is played every three years. But after fears of Ebola in the country, Morocco bowed out, and Equatorial Guinea became the backup site.
The referees and the police stationed at the match attempted to manage the situation. Helicopters flew overhead. Even the military was summoned to bring a sense of peace to what should have been a generally routine football matchup. Debate ensured concerning whether the game should be canceled.
After a 35-minute standoff between frustrated and angry Equatorial Guinea fans, the teams resolved to resume the game at 90 minutes and play 3 minutes of injury time, even while the stubborn fans remained dangerously beside the field of play.
This was an uncharacteristic display of sore losers.
Equatorial Guinea, from the coaching staff to the players and the fans, showed us there is little to respect about the small nation—oil-rich but class-poor. The tantrums displayed on the field revealed a populace that is accustomed to much given without much earned.
At this juncture, due to its unruly fans, Equatorial Guinea does not rightly deserve to play a third place game. But should they find themselves against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hopefully whether they lose or win, they can muster a level of decorum that will justify their presence in future tournaments. Otherwise, Equatorial Guinea would surely face a ban from hosting future tournaments and perhaps other sanctions.
The Ghana vs. Ivory Coast final, a repeat of the 1992 final, should provide a more mature matchup between two veteran teams.
The beautiful game is much about respect, both for the sport and also for the victor.
“Equatorial Guinea – Oil rich and class poor” – that in sum describes the total ethos of the fans at the stadium last night. It was horrid, to say the least. I am glad the professionalism of the Ghanaians prevailed once again in a region though mostly civil but still suffer from a few heavy laden idiots.
Left to me Equatorial Guinea should be banned from African football for the next 5 tournaments. Last night they disgraced us all. They really did disgrace African football. It’s a shame because their leaders managed to step up to host the tournament after Morocco forgot they were in Africa.
I could say more. But this game wan brilliant. The Ghanaians showed why they are the super power in African soccer and why the world, Germany and the USA, takes them seriously. They are by any imagination solid contenders in any tournament. I agree that behavior of the fans took so much away from that show of brilliance.
Kudos to Ghana and shame on you fans of Equatorial Guinea.
Oh yes, Ghana vs. Cote D’Ivoire will game of the decade. These ones are coming to it with all they’ve got. Trust me. For Ghana this is revenge. And the children of Abedi Pele are in this one. Oooo, I can’t wait.
I love the fact that the Volta Times has written about this in the way that any honest journalist would see it. The BBC has called this ‘a war zone’. I feel that Equatorial Guinea gave the West the chance to paint Africa gain as violent even though all that happened on the field was a standoff – nothing more nothing less. But the BBC has taken liberties to insult African in all sorts of ways. Well, that’s all they do right.
That is not new. If people are dancing in Africa, the BBC would say they are drenching. If Africans are praying they would say they are preying on other Africans. If Africans are farming crops they would say they are suffering from farming. If Africans go to Church they would say the devil is chasing Africans. If Africans fight for freedom they would call them agitators. If Africans want want a fair price for their good they say Africans are greedy.
Nothing about the western media is new. This is what they do. Lie!
Guys have you seen how the BBC and the Western media are talking about this. You would think there was a third world war in Africa! The western media do love to paint Africa as a war zone. I have no idea what it does for them. I have no idea if they get an orgasm out of it. I watched the game and the Volta Times is the only magazine that has reported this the way it ought to. Ridiculous really. But the BBC take is absolutely unnecessary.
Let them see it how they want to. They are the world’s top liars!
Thank you Volta Times to being a formidable voice here for Africa. Thank you!