Is football the glue of our nation?

Ghana qualified for the 2022 World Cup last night by beating Nigeria on the away goal rule (0-0 first leg in Kumasi; 1-1 in Abuja). The scenes of elation from our players on the pitch can only be compared with the scenes of joy and outpouring across every region of the country. At a time when the country may be bracing itself for weeks of nationwide mobilisations after yesterday's passage of the controversial E-Levy, football seems to be the greatest thing that unites every citizen.

So Ghana will go to Qatar in November! The Black Stars woke up last night after a draw in Kumasi on 25 March. Of course, one could thank Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, guilty of a gross handling error as early as the 10th minute, or Thomas Partey, England's Arsenal star and Ghana's all-round midfielder, but this is a collective achievement. The Black Stars were able to fend off the Nigerian attacking waves throughout the match, despite William Troost-Ekong's 22nd minute penalty. If Nigeria was considered favorite by most international observers, Ghana was able to thwart the predictions thanks to its heart, determination and solidity.

A team celebrated by an entire nation

Throughout the country, hundreds of people celebrated the victory until dawn. The same scenes of jubilation were witnessed in Kumasi, Accra and at Katoka International Airport. The video of President Nana Afuko-Addo celebrating both his 78th birthday and the country's qualification even went viral on social networks. After missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Ghana will return to the most beautiful of international competitions and will try to repeat its South African magnificent performance in 2010. As such, while the country found itself in the "group of death" in 2014 composed of Germany, Portugal and the United States, Ghana reached the quarterfinals in 2010. The Blacks Stars, led at the time by Asamoah Gyan, finished second in the group, just behind future world champion Germany, beat the United States in the round of 16, before losing to Uruguay on penalties (the unfairness remains immense in relation to Luis Suarez's act). This extraordinary achievement for an African team thrilled the world and remains in the memory of every Ghanaian today.

The lungs of our nation

By random chance, the qualification of the national football team came a few hours after the adoption by Parliament of the E-Levy. One day at a time. Today let's enjoy our victory and tomorrow we'll think about the economy. Cheers to the Black Stars!