The sole Ghanaian restaurant owner in Boston issued a challenge to the England football team today, declaring, “We’re going to defeat you.” Will Yakah, aged 30, emphasized his confidence by stating, “England may have Declan Rice, but we have jollof rice,” referring to Ghana’s beloved national dish.
Yakah, a passionate Manchester United supporter, extended an invitation to the multitude of Three Lions fans to visit his eatery, RedRed, for a taste of authentic Ghanaian cuisine and a refreshing beer.
Expressing excitement over the World Cup draw that led to the England-Ghana match, Yakah shared, “Drawing England, with all their Premier League stars, for a World Cup match, not just in the US but here in Boston, was a dream come true.” He added, “Ghana has a track record of not losing the second group match in any World Cup tournament we’ve participated in. England should watch out; we’re poised for victory.”
The highly anticipated clash between England and Ghana is scheduled at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on Tuesday evening. Both teams secured wins in their opening matches, guaranteeing the victor a spot in the knockout stages.
Yakah’s restaurant, located in Nubian Square, Roxbury, serves a variety of traditional dishes such as jollof rice, waakye, kelewele (spicy fried plantain), and puff puff. The establishment’s walls are adorned with powerful murals paying homage to civil rights icons like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King.
Highlighting the strong ties between Ghanaian players and the Premier League, Yakah mentioned footballers like Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City, Mohammed Kudus from Tottenham Hotspur, and Andre Ayew, who previously played for Nottingham Forest and West Ham United. He also noted the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as Ghana’s new manager, who previously served as Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United.
Yakah, originally from Accra, Ghana, but now residing in the US for 12 years, co-owns the restaurant, which has been in operation for three years. Additionally, he operates a stand at the Fifa Fanfest in central Boston, offering food items due to restrictions on selling drinks, which are controlled by Fifa.
The town of Worcester, near Boston, boasts the second largest Ghanaian population in the United States, reflecting the strong Ghanaian community in the region.