Mike's Post

     Ghana is located in the northeast part of Africa.  The national soccer team was started in 1957, after they declared independence.  Just a year later, they joined FIFA and CAF.  Although they have never won a FIFA world cup, they have placed in the Olympics, as well as many other world championships.  2 years ago, they placed higher than they ever have at the FIFA cup.  They placed 14th.  The Black stars as they are called have on many African Cup of Nations, they have been finalists at FIFA, and various other mojor titles. 
     Ghana is a soccer crazed country with hundreds of youth teams throughout the country.  Although soccer is their pride and joy, the Ghana president wants there to be more than just soccer to Ghana.  He is starting programs for track, basketball, and field hockey.  He wants the country to still have the soccer craze, but he recognizes that soccer isn't everyone's sport.  He wants to offer choices just like we have choices about sports here in the states, we don't have just baseball and football.  Even though Ghana is a new country, and has a new soccer team, they have done amazing for the amount of time they have been around.  Placing 14th in the FIFA is really good, considering that over 100 countries compete.
     The Ghana team is nicknamed the black stars for the color of their skin, and for their unbelivable talent.  Winning this year will be a huge victory for both the team and the whole state.  The country will go wild if they win, but will still be proud if they don't.