16/08/2022
THE INTERESTING STORY ABOUT GHANA'S BLACK JERSEY
Despite being called the Black Stars, Ghana’s senior
national team has won a black jersey just once in a
competitive match.
The first time Black Stars wore the black jersey was
apparently the last time the national team ever wore such a jersey.
To fans, the black jersey brought bad luck to the Black Stars with many finding several conspiracies why Ghana should never wear a dark jersey.
The Black Stars lost their first game to Nigeria by 1-0.
Taye Taiwo struck a powerful shot to score the only goal In the match for the Super Eagles.
Ghana managed to earn a 1-0 win over Senegal in their second game thanks to a goal by Matthew Amoah.
Ghana was on the verge of exiting the tournament,
needing a win or draw to progress should in case Senegal lose Nigeria since both teams were tied on points.
Ghana came up against Zimbabwe in their final match in Group D.
The Warriors had lost two games and needed a
miracle to make it to the knockout phase.
Ghana wore their popular white jersey for the two
matches but decided to use the black jersey for the first time.
The Black Stars had a tough time playing the
Zimbabweans who had nothing to lose in the game.
After a barren first 45 minutes of action, the Warriors
came into the second half with all guns blazing.
Zimbabwe managed to find the back of the net in the
59th minute goal after Ghana defender Issah Ahmed
scored an own-goal.
It was a heart-breaking moment for Ghanaians watching the match.
Ghana's woes later compounded in the 69th minute when Benjani ran on to a loose ball on the edge of the area and calmly slotted the ball into the net to put Zimbabwe 2-0 up.
At this point, the frustration was buzzing in and Ghana was faced with being knocked out of the AFCON at the
group stages.
Ghana's first serious attack in the Zimbabwe goal was
squandered by Stephen Appiah, who was in the right place
to latch on to a bouncing ball into the net but the skipper
blasted the ball wide.
Ghana eventually scored through substitute Baba Adamu
'Amando's' spectacular strike which gave hope to the
Black Stars but soon after the ball returned to the center,
the referee blasted the whistle to end the match to the
disappointment of Ghanaians.
Ghana played the match without key players like Laryea
Kingston Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari and Michael
Essien.
After the match, fans phoned in on radio airwaves to
register their frustration and describe the black jersey as
cursed.
Later when Ghana played at the 2006 World Cup in
Germany, the black jersey rather used a stripped red
jersey as the away kit and abandoned the black jersey.
Since the sad 2-1 defeat to Zimbabwe on Tuesday
January 31, 2006, Ghana has never worn a black Jersey
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
