Sale of Stars paraphernalia to pick up
In the next five days, the 2013 African Cup of Nation (AFCON 2013) will kick off in South Africa and sale of Black Stars paraphernalia is picking up.
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The sale of Black Stars paraphernalia is slowly beginning to take centre stages as the tournament approaches.
In some parts of Accra, particularly Osu Oxford Street, road side shops and kiosks replica jerseys and other sports wears branded in the national colours are beginning to be displayed.
A visit to the area revealed that the traders can only make money depending on the performance of the senior national team at the tournament.
According to Henry Aboagye whose shop is located on the fringes of the Danquah Circle said the sale of these items would greatly depend on the performances of the Stars.
"The more they shine at the tournament, the more people will be interested in the replica jerseys and the national flags among others things on sale", he said.
The jerseys for instance have been priced between GH¢15 and GH¢35 depending on the quality and the country of origin.
Mr Aboagye was optimistic about the prospects but said for now “people have not shown too much interest in the jerseys”
The 3-0 defeat of the Pharoahs of Egypt by the Black Stars in the recent friendly in South Africa seems to have ignited the hopes of some soccer fans who are of the view that should the performance of the Stars be improved the possibility of Ghana annexing the Cup would be grate.
The Black Stars have suffered a major cup drought because they have not been able to win the AFCON cup since 1982, a situation which tends to make people wonder why the government continues to pump the taxpayers money into sponsoring the team.
Ghana is rated very high on the continent when it comes to soccer but very little is achieved when the time comes for the Stars to justify all the support and financial sacrifices made by the government.
Their success in terms of their progress at every major international tournament has brought not only money into the pockets of the people but also sought to unify the country.
One of the hawkers, Theophilus Kumi alias (Waye Wild) told the Graphic Business that he has saved a lot of money to buy the Black Stars paraphernalia for resale to the public because he expects to make some good returns to increase his wares at every stage of the tournament.
Mr Kumi originally sells watches and ladies earrings and hopes to use the proceeds to expand his business by adding the sales of spectacles, ladies and gents underwears to his wears.
He appealed the coach of the Senior National Team, Mr Kwesi Appiah not to let the nation down because according to him, apart from the joy and pride it will bring to Ghanaians, it will also open up an avenue for them to make some money.
Mr Kumi asked for national prayers to make the team lift the cup adding "should God listen to our prayers, we will be better off".
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians are optimistic about the performance of the team and expect them to annex the ultimate this time to end the drought.
Story by Charles Benoni Okine