Late former President Jerry John Rawlings
Ghanaian football great, Philip Opoku Sampene, has recounted an interesting story of how the late former President Jerry John Rawlings gifted the players of the Black Stars a half-piece cloth for beating the Super Eagles (known then as Green Eagles) of Nigeria in a friendly match in 1983.
Sampene detailed in an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah that JJ Rawlings was impressed with the performance of the team and showed his appreciation by gifting them a half-piece cloth.
Opoku Sampene stated that the game was his second for the Black Stars and the most crucial one, as his performance in that game became the starting point for his continued stay with the Black Stars.
He mentioned that ahead of the game, the late Ghanaian coach, Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie, had a pep talk that motivated him.
He stated that the game was one of his best in Ghana colours as he controlled the midfield and established his name.
He credited coach Afranie for his role in his career, describing him as his favorite coach.
“Coach Afranie and Osam Duodo invited me to the Black Stars. They used to invite me, Joe Amoateng, Joe Odoi, and Karim Alhassan to join the Black Stars training. It was through that I got a chance, thanks to coach Afranie. He was my favorite coach. He brought me to the Black Stars and gave me a new pair of boots, warning that this was my chance.
“It was against the Green Eagles of Nigeria at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, and he gave me jersey number 8. I had an excellent game, and we won 1-0. After our victory against Nigeria, JJ Rawlings gave us a half-piece cloth as our reward,” he said.
Unfortunately for Sampene and the Black Stars, Nigeria enjoyed sweet revenge as they defeated the Black Stars 2-1 in the reverse fixture.
2:39 PM Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians tell Dede Ayew to retire from Black Stars to protect his legacy