Stars dazzle in AU peace match

Michael Essien and his Chelsea team mate Ashley Cole enjoying every bit of the match

The Ohene Djan Sports Stadium Wednesday was turned into a great Cathedral of football as legends descended from around the World to celebrate peace and unity in Africa through football.

It was indeed an electric atmosphere, as Ghana and Chelsea’s Michael Essien, AU Ambassador for Peace, led an array of African Stars - past and present - against an Ashley Cole led World 11 to serve a delectable display of football artistry.

Not even the profound openings from heaven which poured forth its rain could stop the party; fans in their thousands filled the stadium to raptures; cheered at every skill, clapped at every turn and mobbed the Stars present.

Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, Asamoah Gyan, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Kalusha Bwalya, John Paintsil, Stephen Appiah, Tony Yeboah only to mention but a few stood tall for the African side, whilst Chelsea duo of Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda as well as Quincy Owusu Abeyie, Nigel DeYong and Frederick Ljunberg were impregnable for the World 11 side.

Akin to most charity games, Wednesday’s match was played in an atmosphere of conviviality and recorded a 4-2 score line in favour of World 11.

Kalusha Bwalya, who has lost his speed but definitely not his skill put the noses of the Africans in front early in the first half with a well placed header from a John Paintsil cross on the right.

Didier Drogba who came on in the second half put his name on the scoring sheet with a close range effort.

Malouda, Ashley Cole, Stock Smith, were the scorers for the World 11.

But really, the score line was not that important; the skill and effort by the World and African legends who defied the heavy rains and played in the soggy pitch was what actually underlined their commitment to the cause for peace, human dignity and prosperity to people in the African continent.

Buoyed by musical displays and excellent dance moves from Asamoah Gyan, Samini, Castro the stadium was turned into a carnival atmosphere as fans sang and danced the day away in absolute frenzy.

The players were presented with medallions at the end of the fun filled campaign as Essien lifted aloft the African flame to signify unity on the continent.

The game was witnessed by Youth and Sports Minister Kofi Humadu and former Tourism Minister Mike Gizo.

Former World player of the year Oppong Weah was the coach of the African 11 side whilst Marcel Dessaily coached the World 11 side.


Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana