LOVE AND HATE FROM GHANA

From Ghana with love By SHARON SOLOMON (JPost)
The national soccer team failed to qualify the World Cup Finals, so the local fans were stunned when the Israeli flag made a surprise appearance on a field in Germany Saturday.

John Pantsil, a Ghana defender who plays professionally for Hapoel Tel Aviv, pulled a blue-and-white flag out from his sock following both of his team's goals against the Czech Republic as the "Black Stars" pulled off the tournament's most significant upset so far.

The frequently criticized and underrated side from West Africa played a tactically sound game, including an effective defensive effort against Juventus left winger Pavel Nedved. Pantsil was a major contributor in shutting Nedved down.

Ghana shocked the Czech Republic - which defeated the United States 3-0 last Monday - with brilliant strikes by Gyan Asamoah and Sulley Muntari, after which Pantsil showed his loyalty to his club's home.

Sources at Hapoel Tel Aviv disclosed later that the Ghanaian international had promised to perform the act if his team scored in the World Cup.

HEARTWARMING....UNTIL PANTSIL'S GOVERNMENT FELT TO APOLOGIZE FOR OFFENDING ARABS...

Apology for Israeli flag-waving at World Cup (JTA)
Ghana apologized after one of its soccer players waved an Israeli flag at the World Cup. John Pantsil’s gesture during a weekend game against the Czech Republic was aimed at solidarity with the Hapoel Tel Aviv soccer team, which he usually plays for, but it raised eyebrows among Arabs.

A Ghana Football Association spokesman apologized Monday and said Pantsil had been cautioned. “He is obviously unaware of the implications of what he did. He’s unaware of the international politics. We apologize to anybody who was offended and we promise that it will never happen again,” the spokesman said. “He did not act out of malice for the Arab people or in support of Israel. He was naive.”