Founder, Hearts of Oak Chapter O, Aziz Haruna Futah, has stated the significance of supporters to the morale of the Black Stars in tournaments such as the World Cup.
According to him, players are demotivated and sometimes suffer intimidation when facing ‘big’ teams which are also flanked by their ardent supporters in the stands.
“Don’t underestimate the importance of supporters to the Black Stars. The Europeans support for their teams is massive and if you go to the World Cup you’ll bear witness. It is very important for the Black Stars to see a Ghana flag in the stands so they know there are Ghanaians with them, and are also motivated more to die for them (supporters),” he told Ohene Brenya Bampoe in the Happy Sports Dialogue.
The ardent supporter of the Black Stars shared his 2006 experience in Germany.
He admitted he was confused at the tournament upon seeing players he had seen on television, especially during the Ghana-Italy game.
“I saw Pirlo and I admit I was confused. Even the drum I was supposed to play to motivate the team was left silent. I couldn’t even play the drum and just watched in awe. Just imagine if I was feeling that way then, how would’ve the players felt, especially if there were no supporters in the stands,” he added.
Aziz Futah revealed the government of Ghana has over the years never paid for supporters going for tournaments, urging Ghanaians to clear the notion of government wasting money on supporters from their heads.
The government only aids supporters to receive funding and sponsorship from corporate Ghana. He disclosed areeba, now MTN funded supporters to the 2006 World Cup.
By: Joel Sanco