Well done, Hosni Mubarack

The players, management and technical team of the national Under-20 soccer team, the Black Satellites, were paraded through some of the principal streets of Accra on Monday, to allow Ghanaians the chance to see the world cup trophy at close range, and also to thank the people of Ghana for their support.

The team later visited the Osu Castle, the seat of government, where they met President Mills and government officials, who also took turns to congratulate the team for their achievement for Ghana and the African continent.

Whilst celebrating this historic feat, The Ghana Football Association (GFA), the government and the people of Ghana appear to have forgotten one unsung hero in our success story - His Excellency Muhammad Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian President.

From reports gathered in Egypt and according to the F.A President, Mr. Kofi Nyantekyi, President Mubarak on the day of the match was all over the radio stations in Egypt appealing to his compatriots to go to the stadium in their numbers to support the Satellites in the spirit of Africa solidarity.

Those who watched the epic match on their TV sets will agree that some of the Egyptian spectators were holding Ghanaian and Egyptian flags while cheering the Satellites.

But for the massive support the players received from the Egyptian fans, they would have been downhearted when the Satellite defender was shown the exit. Even at the time Ghana was playing at a numerical disadvantage, the crowd in the stadium, dominated by Egyptians, was on the side of the Satellites and this really strengthened the team's confidence.

We believe that the conduct of President Mubarak hugely contributed to the success of the team and he should, therefore, be acknowledged in official statements, which has not happened so far.

For a President whose country was hosting the tournament, he should have stayed neutral, but he took the diplomatic gamble to garner support for a particular country.

President Mills delivered a brilliant speech when the team called on him at the Castle, but he fell short of praising the role of President Mubarak.

The Country is still in a celebration mood, therefore, The Chronicle does not think it is too late for officialdom to issue a statement to acknowledge what the Egyptian President did for the Satellites.

It is the hope of The Chronicle that when an Egyptian national team finds itself in a similar situation on our land, Ghanaians would not turn their backs on them, but will give them the needed the support.

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