At about 22:13 GMT Sunday night, Sol Campbell and George Boateng flanked by two military men with Stephen Appiah the torch brightening the way led them out of the arrival hall of the Kotoka International Airport.
Five photographers stood at the heart of the main arrival entrance to take pictures of the former Arsenal defender and Netherland’s midfielder, George Boateng. Arsenal fans in the country who had heard of the coming of their legend and thronged to the Kotoka International Airport to catch a glimpse of the defender they saw on television ooze class and played with elegance, battled and led the team courageously to go unbeaten in the 2003/2004 season and reached the champions league final in 2006, filled the Forex Bureu Automated Teller Machine end, singing, clapping and dancing in excitement.
“Are we passing here?” Came the voice of Stephen Appiah who wanted to know whether they are heading to meet the fans and the media at the dance ground.
“Yes!” I answered. And as they marched towards the crowd, media men slipped through with recorders and cameras for Sol’s first words on his first visit to the West African country. Stephen Appiah, the gentle giant who invited him over, stepped up and said: “i am here to introduce Sol Campbell and George Boateng. As you all know, towards our unity game in June, tomorrow we’re going to launch the the unity game. If you have one or two questions you can ask them. Thank you!”
He turned and smiled at Sol Campbell, and he laughed out loud “hahahahahaha, wow!” And moved towards the journalists who had prepared their recorders.
After a few seconds of silence, George Addo Jnr of Accra-based radio station, Joy FM, pushed out the first words from the journalists.
George “Sol welcome to Ghana.”
Sol Campbell “Thank you! Is a pleasure to be here.”
George “why are you motivated to come down to assist Stephen Appiah in this event?”
Sol Campbell “I think is important for players like me to be motivated to honour this invitation.You have the elections coming up and having football and politics is quiteful together. You need to bring everybody together for peace and unity and playing some football I think is quite fantastic.”
George Addo “Is really a good time for Arsenal fans here…”
Sol “Yeah, yeah, Is fantastic and i can see the fans out there. And also more importantly, I can feel the love.”
George Addo “you’re enjoying it here?”
Sol “yeah, is good. Hot? I like it hot.” With a grin, he turned as media satellite centred on George Boateng afterwards. He thanked Sol Campbell for coming and said “is an honour for Ghana to have such a legend player come into the country to share his experiences with us. Sol, we say Akwaaba.” And Sol replied “Akwaaba!”
Everyone laughed in unison. And that was that
Organisers whisked him away much to the surprise of fans who gathered at the arrival hall and waited for about four hours to have a glimpse and probably a selfie with the Jamaican-born England international.
“He’s had a long journey and is tired, he needs to take some rest.” Came the voice media director of Primeval Media who empathized with the 41-year old.
“And to the media, let’s meet at the house former president Kuffour at 10:30.”
Some fans ran across for photographs, and got it, others stood with mouths wide open in disappointment.
“Is that all? This is not what we were told.” A disappointed Arsenal fan said whilst looking at his red and white paraphernalia with the Gunners crest boldly on the heart of it.
“I should have slept instead of wasting my time to come here,” another disgruntled fan told sportscrusader.com.
“We were here as early as 7 – something because they said he will arrive at 8 and see the time now!”
“Mu j3” he told a friend in the Hausa parlance meaning “let’s go”.
With anger, they moved to where their bus was parked. Others too could not hide their disappointment. They poured out their venom with passion. Leaders of the group were no where to be found for their reaction to what unfolded.
Organisers too left before the frustrations and disappointment poured out and their side as why they could not fulfill their promise to let Sol appreciate the love they showed him on his arrival with even ‘thank you!”for the love one-on-one.
Ghana football lovers and Arsenl fans came out in their numbers to support, but they were served with the bitters of wine one would ever swallow.
Arsenal Fans Serve A Wine Difficult To Swallow As Euphoria Surrounding Sol Campbell"s Arrival Turn Bitter.
