By Daily Sports on May 11, 2020
Benjamin Aidoo, the man behind the viral ‘dancing pallbearers’ meme, says he would be honoured to ‘take Ronaldinho to his final home’.
Aidoo set up Nana Otafrija Pallbearing and Waiting Services in Accra in 2007, aiming to bring some joy into the funeral service by celebrating the life of the deceased with music and dance.
“Some people don’t want to cry anymore,” Aidoo explained to Foot Mercato. “Others do cry, but whether they want to cry or not, we make them happy, we make them happy thanks to what we do.”
The company have now become famous beyond Ghana and all over the world, with one video of their service in particular finding popularity on social media.
A supporter of Barcelona and Chelsea, Aidoo was jokingly asked which footballer he would most like to take to their grave.
“I wish them a long life, of course, but if I had that chance, I dream of driving Ronaldinho to his last home!” he said. “Then Maradona and finally Messi. Ronaldinho is a player who has always impressed me.
“It would be a tribute from the dancer that I am to the dancer that he was in the field.”
There is some conflict in Aidoo’s footballing allegiance. As a Barca fan, he admits finding it difficult celebrating the success of Luis Suarez – the man who helped dump Ghana out of the 2010 World Cup with his last-gasp handball on the line to deny a certain goal.
“I’m divided. I am ashamed. I feel so bad,” he said. “Whenever I see this player, even when I hear his name, Suarez, I am sad.
“Because a hand from Suarez made my Ghana team return home without being able to play in the semi-finals, which was terrible.
“We have a saying here for Suarez. The name Suarez means the impossible. If you want to achieve something or go somewhere and Suarez is there, it means that you will not succeed. If you really want something and Suarez is there, you can never reach it.”
The resulting penalty from Suarez’ handball was infamously missed by Asamoah Gyan, Ghana’s top appearance-maker and record goalscorer. Despite his many accomplishments, Aidoo says many still haven’t forgiven him.
“No, no, they still haven’t forgiven him,” he said. “You know that Ghanaians do not forgive.
“The day he missed the penalty, some Ghanaians went to his mother’s house and harassed her. His failure had consequences on her mother’s health after that, it was really sad.
“So his mother told Asamoah to never take a penalty in his life again. This is why you will never see Asamoah again venture to take a penalty. Because he promised never to risk it again, and now that his mother is 80 years old, I think he is following his wish, never to take a penalty for Ghana again.” (Goal)
•PHOTO: Ronaldinho and Benjamin Aidoo
Source Daily Sports
Posted May 11, 2020
You may also like...
Man City To Erect Statue To Honour Silva’s...
Armed Forces College Sports Ends In Kaduna
Eight Nigerian stars face off in English topflight...
Rohr hails ‘amazing’ winger Samuel Kalu
Redknapp Backs Pochettino To Replace Emery At Arsenal...
Euro 2020: Ukraine Beat North Macedonia To Boost...

Maiden Eagles call-up shocks Sor
Iwobi gets EPL Player of The Month nomination
I see myself as a soldier on the field – Demehin
D’Tigress add Indiana Fever clash to US tour
Everyone knows we are African champions, insists Senegal coach
Simon, Akor Adams score as Nigeria beat Iran 2-1 in friendly
100 golfers storm Uyo for Ladies Golf Championship
Fernandez keen to make mark with Eagles
Individual awards race heats up at NCF T20i
Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame returns Saturday
Ikeja Golf Club captain bows out in style
NSC warns against conflict in NBBF elections
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,658 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,985 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,901 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,510 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,435 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,336 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,203 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,744 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,934 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,442 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,843 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,314 views)