The 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Ghana and Egypt has already gone down in history as one of the best matches witnessed at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. Few could have predicted the 6-1 final score but the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), headline sponsor of the Black Stars, made sure that they played their role almost to perfection.

In September, following appeals from Kumasi fans to the Sports Minister Hon Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, a giant screen was provided at the Jackson's Park for the Ghana v Zambia World Cup qualifier.

This time around, GNPC joined the partnership and once again broke new ground in their promise to deliver the passion of the nation to all Ghanaians. In an unprecedented move to fulfil their promise, GNPC rolled out giant screens at special viewing spots in the nation's two major capitals.

In Accra, the Osu Oxford Street was a carnival of red, gold and green as similar scenes were repeated at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi as well as Bantama High Street.

GNPC could not have timed their move better with a series of well coordinated and structured events aimed at giving Ghanaian football fans who were unable to watch from the match venue, a stadium feel of the action.

Events Manager Mr Fred Darko said the response was overwhelming. ''This has far exceeded our expectations and I think we may have to include other regional capitals in future''

As expected, the atmosphere at each of the GNPC Fans Arenas was electrifying and highly entertaining. The CEO of GNPC had predicted before the match that fans would witness something special but even his high expectations were exceeded. ''Victory was never in doubt but I think the players showed that when properly motivated they can will offer their own special thank you to their loyal fans''

Majority of supporters told *the* *Sports Brand* that they would never forget the experience they had at the GNPC Fans Arenas and pleaded for more of such wonderful gestures. Ofosu Bright a supporter who was one of the first to grab a seat at the Jubilee Park venue was delighted '' “I only used to hear negative thing about GNPC but I can now see that they genuinely think about us (the fans).

It would be recalled that the much acclaimed *AFCON 2013 Fans Diaries *which followed the exploits of the Black Stars through the eyes of their fans and players was also sponsored by GNPC.

Before the match, opinion was divided as to the wisdom of announcing a 50% increment on the winning bonus for the team. That division has dramatically changed with fans now applauding GNPC for the morale booster ahead of the crucial match.

It is widely believed that the gesture also helped in producing the desired results, since the potential rewards Ghana will derive from FIFA upon making it to Brazil 2014 far outweighs the investment by GNPC.

The partnership between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and GNPC ensured that the game on Tuesday 15 October 2013 was a special experience for millions before, during and after the match.

With mega P.A Systems, beautiful crowds and top DJ's to provide music, there was no shortage of excitement to stimulate and hype the crowds. The atmosphere at the GNPC Fans Arenas promises to be a hit any time the Black Stars are in action.

The CEO of GNPC, Alex Mould has assured all stakeholders that the national petroleum body would continue to “fuel the passion of the nation and that includes making provision for the fans to experience their team the Black Stars”.