Circumspecte

Chale, how! Chale freeeesh! Depending on intonation, pronunciation, context, time of day, people involved, energy, mood, the Ghaniaan word " Chale " - apparently a localised version of "Charlie" - can mean very different things! In this case, it's the newest "street-talk" web series produced by the Fashionista GH and Excelsis crew which - according to the official CHALE! Facebook page - seeks to "c apture our very essence and the word on the street across an interesting mix of issues - some of which we easily gloss over." I mean, how can you knock that hustle? E be cool waaa. When Fashionista GH team lead Ob Absenser first sent me the link to preview, I was immediately captivated by the name and branding - ingenuous, I'm willing to bet that every konkonsa (gossip) session in Ghana begins with "Chale". Then came the sound bytes for M.anifest' s Blue (Charlie What Dey Happen) and it's street cred was sealed...

Yesterday the Black Stars kicked expectations and skepticism to the curb in what was perceived by many football pundits as being "an uphill challenge" against Egypt's multiple-time WC qualifier The Pharaohs. The words being used to describe what Ghana did to Egypt include "thrashed" , "crushed" and "run a riot" . But to me, this game was one of the most beautiful shows of leg action the Ghanaian National team has exhibited in a long time. It's so beautiful, I had to share. Congrats again to the Black Stars and Coach Kwasi Appiah - who also showed some of his detractors, ha! - and all the best as we chart our course to Brazil 2014 (and avenge the WC finale we were Suarezed out of :P)! You make Ghana proud! After all is said and done, even the Pharaohs looked up to the Stars ;)

This blog was initially published on www.jabdulai.com -- M any Black Stars supporters often liken their relationship with Ghana's national team to a bad (maybe even toxic?) romance. We love, believe, hope, trust, support and boast about how amazing the Black Stars are - some of us even write about them. All this to no avail - the team still cheats (on) us...with none other than 'failure'. Then proceeds the usual heartbreak cycle - disbelief, tears, anger, questioning, and finally, acceptance. Thing is, right after we accept that our relationship isn't all that it's cut out to be - and that we deserve better - along comes another football tournament that has us loving, believing and hoping all over again. Our love interest seems to improve for a while (think World Cup ), before it's heartbreak all over again. It's like a never-ending cycle. But I guess that's what you sign up for when you declare yourself a patriot. Or is it? My belief in Africa...