Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
TAMALE - South African soccer fans are using their visit to Ghana to learn more from their west African countersparts about mobilising support for national teams.
Johannes "Mzion" Mofokeng, pictured, one of those attending the Africa Cup of Nations, said: "There is no way you can ignore the passion of the west Africans in tournaments.
"In Ghana one is impressed by the maximum support that the people of Tamale are giving to the Black Stars and the four countries based here for the group stages.
"Their creativity is awesome, they bring anything you can think of to a match venue. Young and old Ghanaians are making our stay here a memorable one.
"There are flags of various countries hanging on poles in all the main streets. Almost every private and official car, bicycle, motor bike and public transport has a flag or two.
"That is what is still lacking back home. People here have also formed supporters clubs for individual players within their national union of supporters.
"In the Ivory Coast, we know there is the Didier Drogba Supporters Club. It encourages more people to support the country."
Saddam Maake, another well known supporter, said: "I was impressed by one Ghanaian farmer (Louis Austin), who bought 1500 tickets for the Bafana game against Tunisia.
"Louis, who is originally from South Africa, bought 500 tickets when we played against Angola. It will also be great to see employers back home buying tickets for their employees.
"We know there are companies owning suites at most of the stadiums in South Africa, but they do not open them when local soccer games are played.
"But the suites are always open and well stocked when there is a rugby match. In addition, they close the suites late at night.
"As part of the preparations for the 2010 World Cup, we need to start engaging organised labour on this matter so that employees are afforded a chance to watch the games."
SA fans learn from Afcon
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
TAMALE - South African soccer fans are using their visit to Ghana to learn more from their west African countersparts about mobilising support for national teams.
Johannes "Mzion" Mofokeng, pictured, one of those attending the Africa Cup of Nations, said: "There is no way you can ignore the passion of the west Africans in tournaments.
"In Ghana one is impressed by the maximum support that the people of Tamale are giving to the Black Stars and the four countries based here for the group stages.
"Their creativity is awesome, they bring anything you can think of to a match venue. Young and old Ghanaians are making our stay here a memorable one.
"There are flags of various countries hanging on poles in all the main streets. Almost every private and official car, bicycle, motor bike and public transport has a flag or two.
"That is what is still lacking back home. People here have also formed supporters clubs for individual players within their national union of supporters.
"In the Ivory Coast, we know there is the Didier Drogba Supporters Club. It encourages more people to support the country."
Saddam Maake, another well known supporter, said: "I was impressed by one Ghanaian farmer (Louis Austin), who bought 1500 tickets for the Bafana game against Tunisia.
"Louis, who is originally from South Africa, bought 500 tickets when we played against Angola. It will also be great to see employers back home buying tickets for their employees.
"We know there are companies owning suites at most of the stadiums in South Africa, but they do not open them when local soccer games are played.
"But the suites are always open and well stocked when there is a rugby match. In addition, they close the suites late at night.
"As part of the preparations for the 2010 World Cup, we need to start engaging organised labour on this matter so that employees are afforded a chance to watch the games."
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