The first president of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah was a firm believer in the unity and sustainable growth and development of African and he once sought to achieve these goals by setting up the Black Stars against Spanish team Real Madrid on Sunday, August 19, 1962; played in the Accra Sports Stadium.
Real Madrid was one of the finest team on the European side who were five times Champions under the leadership of Santiago Bernabeau. And so, the match against them was good exposure for the Black Stars, for Ghana and Africa as a whole.
The match was kicked-off by Real Madrid who held possession of the ball for the following 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning of the game. The Black Stars gradually warmed themselves into the game, battling the Champions for possession of the ball. The deadlock between the teams was broken by the Black Stars with a through ball from Aggrey Fynn which was beautifully converted by Edward Acquah on first touch.
Addo Odametey and Franklin Crentsil, both defenders of the Black Stars stood their grounds against the swift strikers of Real Madrid but they were outwitted in the 30th minute. Quick passing between Ferenc Puskas, Manuel Bueno and Alfredo Di Stefano enabled Ferenc Puskas to position himself well and nod in an accurate cross. The battled raged on with each striving to achieve dominance in the game. The tide swayed in the favor of the Black Stars in the 40th minute. With a quick pass-and-move philosophy, the Black Stars waltzed their way through the defence of Real Madrid to finish, taking back their lead.
After the break for the first half, both teams were energized to continue the game. Both teams played their best, with Ghana trying to retain their lead and if possible, score more and Madrid forcing to came back into the game. Real Madrid made a comeback in the 70th minute, putting them right back into the game. But the Black Stars were undeterred. Bent on winning game, they bulldozed their way to score their third goal for the day. However, Real Madrid had no intentions of losing and so, again, they made a comeback; tying the game as the final whistle went off for the game.
Real Madrid after the game paid a courtesy call on Dr Kwame Nkrumah at the Flagstaff House. “…sparkling performance against Europe’s number one club…To have held the fabulous Real Madrid to a 3-3 draw is a proud achievement,” he said. “Considering the fact that the Black Stars are all bona fide amateurs, I am certain that they have compelled the soccer world to acknowledge the fact that a new soccer force has arisen along the West coast of Africa.”
Santiago Bernabeu, the President of Real Madrid then gifted Dr Kwame Nkrumah, with Real Madrid souvenir- a breastpin of the Real Madrid emblem. “Your reputation in the field of soccer is enormous,” Nkrumah told Santiago Bernabeu, “Having given the Black Stars the opportunity to rub shoulders with you is an inspiring gesture,” Nkrumah said.
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Edem is a writer and loves to read. He believes that writing is an instrument of expression and an advocator of ideologies that can cause significant changes to our current dispensation and the future.
