'Black-Star Line' of Ghanaian football

When you hear "black-star line" what comes to mind? Is it a phenomenon in astronomy? For sure, it is not the name of any Ghanaian Airline you know. Sorry, this has nothing to do with Marcus Garvey's 'Black Star line'. (For those who don't know, the 'Black Star Line' was first thought of by Marcus Garvey as a company to build ships for the repatriation of African Americans, 'home', to Africa). As important as this is to me, it would be besides the point. Don't go too far or think too hard because the answer is not in your head. Well, there is 'Black-Star line' in football too. What is it then, why do we care.

A 'black-star line' is a single file that we form on a football pitch as children when we were about to play a football match. Boys in my age bracket will catch my drift but those who haven't, let me explain.

 

1963 squad of Ghanaian Players in a "Black-star line" Source: Peacefmonline.com

A 'black star line' is not the typical file we form at a school assembly, where we put the shortest in front, No. To form a 'black star line', you have to stand in the file, shoulder-to-shoulder like proud African men to battle 

Source: ghanatoghana.com

 Typical example of a black-star line in the days when Micheal Essien's Squad (2006 African Cup of Nations) had something called 'National Pride and National Duty' in the team

 or like we see in the Detective movies where suspected 'perps' are paraded for identification.

"Well, what can I say about this? these are Bevy of 'Miss Malaika' ladies doing photo shoot. It looks to me like a black-star line too"

 On a football field, when asked to form a 'Black-star line', what is expected of one is to fall-in at the center and form a straight line, joining shoulder. Normally, this is when the selections for teams begin so you must as well put up a poker face. It works, you would be selected for the best team. If not, you would be selected as a defender but then, you still get to make the team.

Aside: If only i had learnt that early in life, I wouldn't have been a towel boy all my childhood, coupled with the fact that I couldn't play well.

The 'black star line' used to symbolise our belief and pride, a pride in the Black Stars of Ghana. We hoped, as children, that we might be called to represent our country someday like the then Black Stars of old to bring glory to Ghana.

What can you say about this?