Ghanaian community gets behind their team for World Cup game

WHILE Ireland’s absence has left most soccer followers in the Banner County as no more than interested World Cup spectators, excitement among the Ghanaian community in Ennis has been on the rise since mid-June and will reach a new level on Friday as the only remaining African side challenge Uruguay.
No African side has ever lifted the World Cup. In fact, Ghana are only the third side from the continent to reach the quarter-finals and none has yet reached the last four. However, Comfort Ofei, who lives in Roslevan, says that will change on Friday. “We are the only African country left and now we have all the African support. We beat the United States and now we’re waiting for Uruguay. We know for sure we’re going to beat them.”
There are around 50 natives of the West African country in Ennis, with more living in Limerick and other parts of the Mid-West. Comfort says that many people leave their homeland in search of greater opportunities in Europe. “When you’re educated, you have more chances abroad. If you have education and the ability to do what you want, people often go.”
She has been in Ennis for six years and says she finds the town “quiet and relaxing”.
While Germany’s demolition of England sent out a warning to the rest of the tournament, Alfred Anafi says their days are numbered. “We lost to Germany in the group but if we qualify for the semi-finals we will meet them again and we will knock them out.”
Chris Dsane has also been enjoying his national side’s progress and says the loss of Michael Essien hasn’t been the terminal blow some felt it could be. “He’s a very good player but without him Ghana are moving on and we’re going to get to the final.”