UK and US Diaspora Returnees to clash in football match on Oct 31
Members of Ghana's diaspora from the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America who have relocated to the country are set to clash in a friendly football match on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra.
The match dubbed Diaspora Returnees Football Match is being organised by the Diaspora Network Television (DNT) in collaboration with RITE Sports to raise money for a yet-to-be-named charity and promote collaboration between the two groups.
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A shootout between the female teams of both groups will serve as the curtain-raiser of the match.
Speaking at the official launch and jersey unveiling of the match, the President/CEO of the DNT, Mr Jermaine Nkrumah said the match will leverage on the friendly rivalry between the two groups to explore ways to contribute to the development of the Ghanaian economy.
He said the match which was open to the public will also provide the opportunity for the "returnees" to dispel some misconceptions about them.
Mr Nkrumah further disclosed that the organisers had written to the respective offices of the President and Vice President inviting them to be honorary coaches of both teams.
Tough-talk
In some verbal jousting before the big day, the co-captains of the UK Team, Mr Maxwell Ofori-Atta and Madam Jenny Adade said football was birthed in the UK so they were primed to win the tie.
Chanting their motto: "Spank the Yanks!", the duo said they will also be calling on former UK-based players Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Tony Yeboah to further their cause.
In a strong response, the captain of the American returnees Reverend Dr Nana Yaa Owusu-Prempeh said her side was going to carry the day because of their work ethic.
She said their slogan was "Beat the Brits" and they would shock their opponents on the day.
Dr Owusu-Prempeh also commended the organisers for the initiative which he said would assist a charity with a donation.
