/ 29 January 2010

Let’s ensure Ghana’s ‘superfan’ gets a potjie

Chances of seeing Samuel “Obuor” Aggrey’s colourful signature pot during the 2010 Fifa World Cup in June are slim, thanks to the barbaric behaviour of Angola’s security personnel.

View our Afcon gallery

Obuor, Ghana’s number one supporter, was attacked by security guards at the 11th November Sports Stadium in Luanda after Ghana beat Burkina Faso 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations last week. Ghana was due to play Angola, which they beat a few days later.

He suffered serious injuries to his genitals and ribs. It is alleged that security staff accused him of carrying a pot containing juju (umuthi). Well, if it did, so what? It’s his right. The famous pot broke into pieces during the skirmish.

When I received a call from Ghana informing me about what had happened to Obuor, I nearly broke down. I had the privilege of meeting Obuor late last year in Accra and spent a few days with him. He wouldn’t harm a fly. This is a man who welcomed me and showed me around Accra.

When I did my shopping, he would take my money and pretend it was his while negotiating prices for me. It worked: I managed to buy things at a lower price than usual. Walking around Accra with Obuor makes you feel like a dignitary; everyone shouts: “Obuor, Obuor!”

Now you understand where I’m coming from. That pot meant everything to Obuor. He bought it at the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany, which marked Ghana’s first appearance at the football showpiece. He paid someone two Ghana cedis (about R10,20) a day to look after the pot.

Now that person, who lives in an old train station slum in Accra, is jobless. The Angolan security personnel have taken away something most Ghanaians admire — the pot.

The Angolans who did this lack self-esteem.

It was reported in the media last week that Fiifi Tackie, a Ghanaian journalist, was also attacked by Angolan security staff for no apparent reason — this in addition to the deadly attack on the Togo national team bus.

I pray that Obuor makes it to the World Cup in June and claims his drievoet pot — just to say thank you for being a good sport.