As we wait for the FIFA World Cup tournament to kick off tomorrow, no doubt it’s going to evoke tones of memories, both good and bad.
Unlike the previous global football showpieces, which used to take place in the month of June-July, this time round, the World Cup tournament matches will be streaming to our living rooms in the month of November – just days before end of the year. What informed this ‘abnomality’ was due to Corona Virus pandemic that disrupted many programs across all sectors.
This year’s World Cup tournament, just like all the previous ones, will provoke a lot of memories – both good and bad. Those who will be supporting African soccer giants, Ghana, will be eager to see the Black Stars tear down to pieces Uruguay’s La Celeste. This nostalgic moment will definitely visit soccer lovers who watched the Uruguay Vs Ghana match of 2010 world cup tournament, which was hosted by South Africa.
In the said game – during the stoppage time – Ghana almost scored the winning goal, only for the Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez – then plying his trade in Liverpool FC – to use both his hands in blocking the ball from crossing the goal-line. The offence earned the Liverpool striker a straight redcard, but the goal stood disallowed (since it hadn’t crossed the line).
The game went on to extra time, and then to penalties. It is at the penalties where Uruguay went ahead to knock Ghana out of the tournament – sending the former to the semi finals. Ironically, the Ghanian player who lost the penalty kick, which cost Ghana a semifinal slot, was Asamoah Gyan – the team’s then star man. Spain went ahead to win the 2010’s edition through Andreas Iniesta’s solitary goal against the Netherlands.
In this particular World Cup tournament, the two teams,Ghana and Uruguay, have been pooled in one group, alongside Portugal and South Korea – other equally world’s football giants.
