The Nigeria national team in Stuttgart once again won the 18th African football Gala at the Mercedes sport Stadium in Stuttgart by beating their Burkina Faso counterparts by five goals to nil. Organised by the Africa Union Stuttgart ev, this year´s event was participated by ten African national teams, and above all, the Pioneers who had the vision thirty years ago to form the African Union here in Stuttgart were conferred with Merits of Excellence Award.
The newly elected Executive members of African Union Stuttgart, in a special presentation honoured the founding fathers of the Association for their great endeavor in all forms enabling them to establish the union. It is recollected that some thirty years back, a small group of African students from different African countries agreed in one accord the need to come together under one umbrella, fostering peace and mutual assistance among themselves. The union has grown up effectively and as today two major cultural and sport events in the Metropolis goes to their credits.
Awarding the Merits to the old Elites, Mr. Lanre Mabinouri, the current Executive Chairperson of the African Union Stuttgart recommended his predecessors for the good legacies, including, the professional structures and external contact linkages making it easier for him to build upon. “ As you all know to mobilize our people here is a very difficult task because of the German labor system, but this football gala has brought all Africans here together, and as that, I think the founding members deserve the recognition”, Mr. Mabinouri said this in his key note before the presentation.
Among the recipients were Mr. Guy Akame, a 60year old radio moderator from Cameroon, Mr. Victor Awuku and Augustine Affovi both from Togo, Mrs Sussanne Dada, the only female German member at that time, Mr Debali Kontey of Sierra Leone, Guy Xaxier (Caribbean Island) Mr Kwaku Appiah from Ghana, Mr. Felix Saka (Nigeria) and Dr. Muana Nzolo-Tshisuaka from Democratic Republic of Congo respectively .
Narrating on how it get started, Dr. Tshisuaka explained that it was really difficult to find an African here in the region, specifically in early seventies. “ Not even at the University campus” so when the circular was distributed almost all the black students in the regional capital never hesitated at all, “ We were glad first and foremost to know ourselves especially our colleagues from America and the Caribbean Island and the concept of African Union were unanimously accepted” Dr. Tshisuaka, the 61year old intellectual added.
In all ten African countries participated in this year tournament, namely, Angola, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania Republic, Mozambique, Nigeria, Togo and Sierra Leone respectively. Four nations, Gambia, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia withdrew their participation this year because the date scheduled coincides with the sacred Ramadan period and such an oversight in planning should be avoided by the Association enabling all to justify their inclusive. Burkina Faso eliminated Ghana by five goals to three in a in a penalty duel in the semi-finals whilst Nigeria too scored a lone goal against Togo. The wide margin of five goals to zero with their encounter against Burkina Faso confirms Nigeria superiority of the I8 year- African football tournament here in Stuttgart. The next African Football Gala in Stuttgart is scheduled on July next year with much expectations.
Covered by
David Adu Boahene
Media Practitioner, Germany
Nigeria Wins African Football Gala 2012 Held in Stuttgart
