Accra erupts in joy as the Black Stars touch down from their training camp in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the African Cup of Nations.
The Kotoka International Airport in the capital, Accra, was packed and filled with scores of supporters who had arrived from their various destinations to welcome the team back home after their 13-day training camp of the Middle East.
Lots of flags but of different sizes flew high as the nation’s colours, the red, gold and green with the black Star in the middle of Ghana’s flag flung everywhere at the airport.
Hours before the team touched down at midday, hundreds of supporters had already started the homecoming party with drumming and dancing heralding the arrival of the Emirates airliner which taxied on the tarmac at the airport.
Some supporters had to lay siege by the plane and the thunderous chorus of cheers greeted the team as John Mensah followed by Claude Le Roy stepped out to acknowledge their fans.
Then the show started with the TV crew lining up their cameras for footage as the supporters surged forward to have close contact with their Stars.
Most players took turns to grant interviews on the media.
Ghana has been camping in the Middle East nation since January 2 and their arrival at the Kotoka International Airport today makes them, the second participating team to touch down after Zambia.
The hysteria surrounding the competition which begins on Sunday January 20 and runs to February 10 by today’s account at the airport has reached its crescendo.
The Local Organising Committee has been counting on the arrival of the Black Stars to increase the tournament’s awareness.
“They will be the second team to land for the tournament. As hosts, their arrival is expected to further hype the euphoria surrounding the tournament,” Magnus Rex Danquah, Chief Operating Officer of the Local Organising Committee says the arrival of the Black Stars.
Ghana, who are four-time champions at the event and would be gunning for a record fifth title were met on arrival by officials of the Ghana Football Association, a delegation from government, members of the Local Organising Committee and largely by a strong fan base at the at the Kotoka International Airport.
The Black Stars get the campaign underway at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra against Guinea from Group A on Sunday, January 20 in the opening match of the tournament.