One Company Saw The US-Ghana Matchup Coming

Not everyone in the U.S. foresaw three months ahead of time that the American team would be meeting the Black Stars of Ghana in the World Cup round-of-16. But one major American airline did! I found this in my mailbox a few months ago. It mystified me then, but now all is clear.

Until I saw how the World Cup brackets worked out, I had thought that perhaps this was personalized for my family. My wife and I actually spent the first few months of our married life together on work camps in inland Ghana, in the cities of Bolgatanga, Tamale, and Assin-Fosu. Improbably, we are still married. We liked Ghana and Ghanaians a lot, so we wish the Black Stars well. Still: USA!

PS. Not to add to the pressure, but: Here is what the Ghana Football Association site says before the match:

On Saturday, it would be a meeting of a familiar opponents but Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng, playing in his debut World Cup says the Black Stars are not only playing for a country, rather they are carrying the hopes of an entire continent.

"Now we're playing for all Africa. Ghana is the standard-bearer for the whole continent. The African fans will be behind us as we do everything we can to reach the quarter-finals," the Ghana midfielder said.