AFTER FALLING BEFORE EL SALVADOR

By Theodore M. K Viwotor, a.k.a Solomon Davids, Argentina The Ghana National Amputee team, the Black Challenged, played a spirited game but drew one all with their Turkish counterparts in their second match at the 30th World Amputee Cup at Cerrito, Argentina,.

The Black Challenged, who played without their own kits due to a technical problem that led to the luggage of the entire team locking up in South Africa, scored first in the first half, only to concede a goal with some seconds to the end of the game. The local fans, who were all behind the Ghanaian team, expressed disgust at Referee Malleina’s failure to end the match before the goal was scored, having exhausted the 3 minutes added on. He ended the game right at the restart after the goal. The draw makes the team’s qualification to the next stage competition very arduous as they meet their Liberian counterparts in the last group match. The Black Challenged lost the first match to El Salvador by a lone goal with 6 men instead of the normal seven, after Joseph Amoh was shown the red card for a second bookable offence. In the first match against El Salvador, Collins Gyamfi (Ember) was also shown the red card by the same Referee. Immediately after the first match, Mr. Francis Adjetey Sowah, president of Association of Sports for the Disabled (ASFOD) lodged a protest against the match official over his biased officiating against Ghana. The protest was, among other things, over an incident around the penalty box of the El Salvadorians, where their goalkeeper came out of his area to catch the ball when a Ghanaian attacker was in a good position to score. According to Law 10 of the rules governing Amputee Football, if the goalie deliberately comes out of the box to catch the ball, he is shown the red card and a penalty awarded to the opposing team. The referee surprisingly showed him the yellow card with a free kick for Ghana. If the protest is upheld, a replay with El Salvador would take place to give Ghana another opportunity to improve upon their chances of qualifying. Turkey are jointly leading Group C with El Salvador, with 4 points, followed by Ghana and Liberia with a point each. Liberia lost by 3-0 to Turkey and drew goalless with El Salvador.

The Ghanaian team, the Black Challenged, seem to be mysteriously plagued with challenges that started all the way from Ghana where they left on Saturday, 16th October, the day the tournament was supposed to have started. Following government’s intervention, their first match was shifted from Sunday, 17th to Monday, 18 October. As a result, they played both matches on the same day. One was played at 11 am local time (1400hrs GMT) and the second at 8pm (2300hrs GMT) in a chilling weather. In both matches, the Black Challenged, reminiscent of David in Saul’s armour, were in borrowed kits from Liberia and jerseys from the Organizing Committee as a result of the incident in South Africa. They had to be changing clutches from time to time to get the right ones, as the game progressed. Liberia also had a similar experience but were fortunate to get the baggage after their first match, three days after arrival.

The incident may have been caused by their late arrival at the Johannesburg Airport, which was precipitated by a late departure from Kotoka International Airport. The team were rushed through formalities and boarded the next flight running to avoid having the gates closed. Then followed the over 11 hour flight to Buenos Aires, which also had a toll on them. After that grilling flight, the team were informed that their luggage had not arrived so they boarded a waiting bus to Corrito, another 8 hour ride at night. They rested at around 4 am (700hrs GMT) on Monday morning and had to play their first match against El Salvador at 11 am (1400hrs GMT) the same day.

After that match, they quickly came back to their camp, took their meals and some rest and went in for the second one against Turkey, considered one of the favorites of the World Cup. In spite of all these challenges, the team made a mark and became the toast of the fans who cheered them on throughout the game. With instructions from Coaches Ebenezer Charles Armah and Ali Jarra, and support from indefatigable Mr. Francis Adjetey Sowah, president of Association of Sports for the Disabled (ASFOD), Team Manager Naa Darkoa Dodoo, Mr. Kuuku Dsane, Treasurer of ASFOD and team masseur, Oliver Commey, the team demonstrated a true Ghanaian spirit of resilience and determination in the face of the challenges that confronted them, winning the hearts of officials, fans and even their opponents.

The final group match would come off later on Tuesday to determine who qualifies to the quarter final stage of the competition. Hopefully, playing in their own kits, the Black Challenged would beat Liberia and pray that Turkey beat El Salvador.

The weather at Corrito is colder at night and the early parts of the day but becomes warm during the day. The residents are very friendly, always waving and offering a bright smile to guests, especially Blacks. The town has beautiful greenery with trees and well mowed grass.