A Shawnee priest’s World Cup dream has come true as his home country of Ghana plays in the knockout round in Kansas City. Father Joseph Asante, associate pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, was gifted tickets to see Ghana play in the World Cup and is excited to see his team compete.

A Dream Come True

Asante, who grew up in Kumasi, Ghana, has always been passionate about soccer. He played the sport throughout his childhood and into seminary. When he was given the opportunity to see Ghana play in the World Cup, he was overjoyed. “(Living in Ghana), I dreamed that I was in America watching a World Cup game,” Asante said.

Asante’s love for soccer is not just about the game itself, but about the connections it brings. “When I watch soccer, I see beauty, I see connection,” he said. “It’s bringing us together. ‘Go Ghana.’ ‘Go USA!’ That kind of thing is so beautiful. People who once were not watching, now they are watching.”

A Community of Fans

Asante’s experience watching Ghana play in the World Cup has also given him a sense of community. He met other fans from around the world and enjoyed the excitement of the game. “We had Croatian friends. We had people from different parts of the world, they were all there enjoying the fun and the excitement of it,” he said.

Asante believes that soccer has the power to bring people together and generate positivity. “Soccer is peace. Soccer is love. Even though there is money involved, and all the politics, for us human beings who watch or who play, our hearts connect,” he said.

Ghana will play Colombia in the knockout round on Friday night in Kansas City. Asante is confident that his team will win and advance in the tournament. “Colombia is a very good team. I respect them,” he said. “I’m praying that USA gets to the semifinals because it will still generate more fun and more joy, more happiness.”

Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.