The 2022 edition of the FIFA world cup began on the November 20 with the host nation, Qatar,
losing the opening game of the tournament to Ecuador. The event so far has had many intriguing
and memorable moments for teams, players, fans and countries. The tournament at the final day
of the group stage matches has seen many teams progressing to the knock out stage of the
competition whiles others are heading home with heartbreaking results.
The Ghana Black Stars were in Group H with Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay. Ghana
played their final group stage match against Uruguay, a match they called “the revenge”. The
Black Stars needed at least a draw to progress to the next stage of the competition after gaining 3
points over South Korea which saw them to the second position on the table before the final
matches. After a wonderful performance, however, the Black Stars lost by 2-0 to the Uruguay
team in the final group stage match which sent them out of the tournament.
Despite the loss, Ghanaians were very happy because they had their revenge. The revenge comes
as a result of the 2010 world cup quarter final incident where the black stars almost won at the
last minute of the extra time but Luiz Suarez of Uruguay used his hand to clear the ball from the
post. Though, Suarez was sent out and Ghana was awarded a penalty, it was missed and
eventually knocked out on penalties. At the end of the final group stage match of the 2022 world
cup where the Ghana black stars managed to prevent Uruguay from scoring more than two goals,
though they lost, have left Ghanaians very happy because they have denied Suarez and his
Uruguay team from progressing to the next stage of the competition. This young black stars team
have won the heart of its citizens.
The head coach of the black stars who doubles as the Borussia Dortmund assistant coach has
resigned after the black stars lost their game and been sent home. The head coach through an
interview before the world cup said he was only appointed to take charge of black stars until the
world cup is over. And so, has resigned after a hurtful elimination at the group stage. The
Mexican and the Belgium coach have also laid down their tools.
Other teams like Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Tunisia, Wales, the host nation, Qatar have been
eliminated whereas teams like Spain, England, USA, Argentina, France and two African teams,
Senegal and Morocco are having happy moments for progressing to the next stage of the
completion.
Haruna Abrahim Akudugu