By: Abe Lingh (lingh), Canada
Soccer fansà wish to see their national team in the finest of allà soccer tournamentsà in the world - theà FIFA World Cup.
This time around not only is it going to be a experience for the whole world but a history to be made since it is the first time such a prestigious tourney is hosted on African soil.
This means a lot to Africans to show the world we are capable of hosting the world; furthermore to prove to the world that African football has really come of age.
The beauty and futuristic stadia built fromSoccer City stadiumà â⬓ Johannesburg toà Cape Town stadiumà really shows the continent is ready to host and house the whole world in her(mother Africa) bosoms.
The qualified countries to represent Africa has vowed to make the continent proud by going far to achieve a more respectable feat much more than what countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal and Ghana had achieved in the previous tournaments.
Ghana is one of the countries expected to go far beyond the group stages in the tourney. The Black Stars are noted to be very strong in the midfield with exceptional qualities from players like Michael Essien(irreplaceable),Stephen Appiahà ,à Sulley Muntarià and the new entrantà Kwadwo Asamoahof Udinese.
Even in the absence of Stephen and Muntari, there are other equally talented players like in-form Dereck Boateng of Getafe,à Anthony Annan,à Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Andre Dede Ayew,à Laryea Kingston, Bernard Kumordzi,à Haminu Dramanià not forgettingà Kevin Prince-Boateng whose nationality switch is yet to be finalized.
No wonder Ghana was named among the countries with the best midfield in Germany 2006.
Prolificà Asamoah Gyanà undoubtedly remains Ghanaââ¬â¢s hitman. Other players likeà Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyia are strikers that will trouble defenders on any given day.
Their ability to posses the ball, wiggle their way through defenders and strength are among the qualities they boast of.
The inconsistency ofà Mathew Amoahà has given many Ghanaians the room to ask questions about his inclusion. Other strikers likeà Eric Bekoe,à Charles Takyi, Erixon Danso,à Yaw Antwià are all making headlines in their respective clubs.
Unfortunately its only four (4) or even less strikers who might represent the country. In any given day, the pairing of Dominic Adiyiah orà Prince Tagoeà withà Asamoah Gyanà with good midfielders to feed them with balls will cause a nightmare in the defence of any world class team.
Milovan is expected to pick the best in-form strikers for the tourney since total defensive game cannot take the team beyond the group stages. The defence is one department I expect the coach to take it very serious.
Over some years now there has not been consistency in the Black Starââ¬â¢ defence line up. In Germany 2006,à John Mensah, Shilla Illiasu andà John Paintsilà rose to the occasion. There seems to be absolutelyà no problemà with the right full backs since the return of Paintsil from injury and Inkoom is good enough.
The left full back has always been the problem over the years. Sarpei might not possess the best qualities of a left full back but he is an obvious choice. Other players likeà Lennard Sowahà ofà Portsmouth who is making headlines in theà English premier leagueà every week deserves an attention from the technical men of Black Star.
David Addy, Nana Kwasi Asare and Lee Ardy are all fighting for the position. In the absence of deputy skipperà John Mensah,à Isaac Vorsah,à Jonathan Quartey, Lee Addy, Eric Addoà are the names one has to expect to fill in the central defence. Very fità John Mensahà will be an extreme advantage to the team.
The department of the game that seems to be a problem and has generated controversies over some months now is the Goal keeping. It will be very difficult to even say thatà Richard Kingsonà is the third choice goal keeper forà Wigan athletic. He has been inactive for almost a year now in the club level coupled with injury.
The likes of Stephen Ahorlu,à PhilemonMcCarthy andà Daniel Adjeià likely to make the team ahead of an in-form and activeà Adam Larsen Kwaraseyà of Stromgodset in Norway whose nationality switch has taken a dramatic turn.
Will the head coach of the Black Star Milovan be allowed to pick the best players for the job or going to face pressure and influence coming from the GFA. (Watch-out for GFA andà Adam Kwarasey Larsenà article)
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