For a single day in the entire academic calendar, the finest minds in KNUST are willing to put aside the mathematical analysis, the numerous laboratory experiments, the engineering drawings and the sorts to meet on the field of greatness, Paa Joe stadium, and etch their legends into the ever green grass with skill and utmost professionalism.
Yes, it is the Ghana Engineering Students Association (GESA) week celebration and the crowning event would be the GESA games of which football is the most patronized.
Strolling through the classrooms of the various departments in the college of engineering, you can hear whispers of possible line ups and team formations. Herds of students gather on benches at the Vodafone cafe study area to plot the defeat of their arch rivals. Students from various departments vigorously argue their case for which style of play their team should model. Of course everyone wants to play “tiki taka” like FC Barcelona yet some opt for approaches like “park the bus” of Chelsea F.C or the flamboyant “Jogo Bonito” of the famous Brazilian national team.
It is only apt that as a mechanical engineering student, and one with a vested interest in the game of football, that I use this platform to espouse the qualities of the mechanical department’s team, and by so doing put fear and panic into the heart of the opposition.
The mechanical team plays according to the “die manschafft” philosophy. The term “die manschaft” is a German word used to describe the German national football team. Their style of play is almost bookish as they play cyclic and methodic football. Efficiency is their hall mark as they dominate in defense, the midfield and the Attack. In full gear, they are fearsome and so rightly won the 2014 world cup. Like the ” die manschafft”, total domination of all areas of the game would be our priority. In aiding this cause, allow me to highlight a few of our most gifted players.
In goal, hoping to keep a clean sheet throughout the tournament is DEE. The mechanical department would be hoping he is able to transfer his skills from solid works and auto CAD to the football pitch and visualize the manner in which the opposition hopes to get the goals in order to stop them. If defense is truly the best offence, then look no further for the embodiment of Rock solid defense than T-PHORCE and BOSS-NEGGER. These two have proven time and again that they have a telepathic understanding and can keep the back four in check. Not failing to mention that BOSS-NEGGER is a deadly header of the ball and also the team captain.
In the middle of the park, hoping to conduct affairs from deep is O.J. I like to call him the mechanical Zidane, due to his fleet footed nature, his vision, and his movements of and on the ball. He would be looking to orchestrate the team and keep the ball moving towards the opposition’s goal.
Alongside him is NII MANTSE, a very skillful and attack minded player. His ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations would be key to unlocking many a stubborn defense. The midfield would not be complete without me mentioning MELO. Underestimate him at your own peril. His diminutive stature and style of play reminds me of Leicester city’s Ngolou Kante. Melo is a tireless runner, a silky dribbler and has a good eye for goal.
In the final third of the park, hoping to do the business on the opposition is star striker and play maker KUN AVEIRO. His record of three goals in three matches for the department stands unmatched. A pacy attacker, deadly shooter, and possesses a knacky ability to be in the right place at the right time. He is and has been many a defense undoing.
What is a team without a technical staff? On the sidelines looking to make the game changing substitutions and deliver play instructions are two fine football experts. ROUND ONE and PUTU have shown time and again that they know how to get the best out of the team, and would be looking to do so again come game day at Paa Joe Stadium.
Make no mistake, this is a statement of intent from the mechanical department. Come game day, we would approach the task at hand with utmost technicality and strict adherence to our footballing philosophy. Indeed victory is from God alone, but we are leaving no stones unturned.
