2006年VOA标准英语-Ghanaians Confident Of Black Stars' Win Over Un

By Efam Dovi
Accra
21 June 2006

Fans buying Black Stars t-shirts and souvenirs  
  
Ghanaians have been celebrating since the first victory by an African side in this World Cup, and are hoping to beat the United States to advance to the next round.

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Last Saturday, enthusiastic football fans in Ghana's capital, Accra, sang the Ghana national anthem¹ as they watched their team on television just before the game with the Czech Republic.
 
That match ended in a two-one victory for the Black Stars of Ghana, the first by an African side in this World Cup, and a very good reason to start the Saturday night party.
 
It has been five days since that historic² victory over the Czechs, but some fans like Abas, are yet to recover from the celebration, even as he looks forward to another win over United States Thursday in a Group-E match.

"As a result of that winning, because of too much of happiness, even up till now I am still sick, so I am hoping that tomorrow we are going to win by four goals to nil³, I will celebrate it as if the World Cup is already in Ghana here," he said.
 
Ghanaians have waited a long time to see the Black Stars at the world tournament, so it is understandable why World Cup fever is spreading to everyone, including this fan, Jacob.

"Yeah!  I have been celebrating the goals, because we went to the African Cup and we lost," he explained.  "So because we are winning this match I have been celebrating, because we have not won a big match before.  So because of that I am really happy.  Saturday, I celebrated⁴ it too much that even I had a headache."
 
Jacob is a tailor who makes unisex clothes, but since the World Cup started two weeks ago he has switched to making Ghanaian flags.
 
He says sales have been good and a Black Stars win tomorrow would be even better.
 
"Sure, I am hoping to sell more.  Because I hope that tomorrow's match we will probably win, so because of that I have decided⁵ to buy more materials to sew, but I am waiting for the match tomorrow before I start sewing more," he added.
 
There have never been so many Ghanaian flags seen in the city of Accra, not even on Independence Day.  Virtually anything in red, gold, green and a black star symbol is selling at a premium⁶ price in Ghana.

This is Oxford⁷ Street in the Ghanaian Capital, Accra.  Prices of goods here are usually higher than elsewhere in the capital, but business has been booming⁸ since the tournament started as fans buy Black Stars T-shirts and souvenirs.
 
On the same streets, electronics⁹ shops are offering discounts on wide-screen and flat-screen televisions.  But one does not need to buy a new television to watch the games.  All across the city, in bars and conference centers, huge screens have been mounted¹⁰ for fans to watch the matches.
 
But because the Black Stars match on Thursday will be played during working hours, some fans, like Raymond, are taking extra measures to ensure they do not miss a moment of the match.
 
"This is my work place, so I have to bring my television, and the area everything preparing myself to watch the game, because the area around here is so low, so I have to raise the pole so high so that I can view the match properly," he said.  "Tomorrow is a great day for us.  Last time I opened champaign because Ghana has win.  Tomorrow I am going to open three or four champaign, because Ghana is going to win." 

Whether employers like it or not, unofficially, Thursday will be a half-day of work for many, and should the Black Stars defeat the United States, Ghana will be joining Raymond for the champagne party

1 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

2 historic   

adj.历史上著名的，具有历史意义的

参考例句：

• This is a historic occasion.这是具有重大历史意义的时刻。
• We are living in a great historic era.我们正处在一个伟大的历史时代。

3 nil   

n.无，全无，零

参考例句：

• My knowledge of the subject is practically nil.我在这方面的知识几乎等于零。
• Their legal rights are virtually nil.他们实际上毫无法律权利。

4 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 premium   

n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的

参考例句：

• You have to pay a premium for express delivery.寄快递你得付额外费用。
• Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.在水库被污染之后，清水便因稀而贵了。

7 Oxford   

n.牛津（英国城市）

参考例句：

• At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
• This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。

8 booming   

adj.急速发展的v.激增( boom的现在分词 )；猛涨；发出隆隆声；以低沉有力的声音说话

参考例句：

• The opera singer has a deep, booming, masculine voice. 这位歌剧演唱家有一副深沉而又浑厚有力的嗓音。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He is booming as a teacher. 作为一位教师，他日趋成功。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 electronics   

n.电子器件，电子学，电子技术

参考例句：

• About 45000 people worked in electronics in Scotland.苏格兰约有4.5万人在电子行业工作。
• He wants to brush up his knowledge of electronics.他想温习他的电子学知识。

10 mounted   

adj.骑在马[自行车]上的；安装好的；裱好的v.登上，骑上( mount的过去式和过去分词)；增加，上升；上演；准备

参考例句：

• He mounted his horse and rode off. 他跨上马骑走了。
• He saddled his horse, mounted, and rode away at a gallop. 他给马套上鞍子，跨上马背疾驰而去。 来自《简明英汉词典》