Same old tricks...

So FIFA’s up to its old and nauseating tricks (once) again: Ghana-USA, June 22, 2006 in Nuremberg. At the 45th minute of the first half the U.S. “committed” a foul on Ghana’s Pimpong in their own penalty area. Referee Merk didn’t bat an eye and immediately awarded the pk to Ghana, which was scored by former Udinese player Appiah. Ghana was now 2-1 against the poor and ingenious Yanks. Italian tv journalists yesterday said that the foul was “exaggerated” whereas “La Repubblica” (a major Italian daily) said in its sports coverage of the game that Merk had basically “invented” the pk. In the meantime, back in Ghana government leaders had asked all gold mine companies to halt their operations for 90 minutes. Why? So that electricity consumption throughout the country of 20 million could be preserved for those Ghanaians who were watching on tv their national team send home the Americans. That was the impact on the country BEFORE Ghana’s victory. One can only imagine the impact now that the national team has advanced in the event! One also has to imagine what Ghana’s victory has done for the entire African psyche. After all, if Ghana were to possibly win the World Cup, how would a Senegalese or Zimbabwean feel? Would they be happier if Ghana were to win, or would they be happier if Argentina were to win? After that the (mostly) white world has sacked, raped and colonised throughout the ages poor Africa, I would only presume that a bit of nationalism would entice Africans in general to cheer on for Ghana for the duration of the tournament and certainly NOT Italy (who committed one or two nasty things in northern Africa during World War II!) nor Germany. One last reason behind Ghana advancing: to stir up enthusiasm amongst Africans for the next World Cup, which coincidently will be in…South Africa!