Thirty years ago in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, the Black Stars won the 13th edition of the African Cup of Nations (CAN). It was a record 4th Nations cup triumph for Ghana which was by far the best team in Africa. This made Ghana earn the nickname “Brazilians of Africa”, having won the cup earlier on in 1963, 1965 and 1978.
Expectations were therefore quite high at the time because having used just 19 years to win four major cups, the Stars were expected to win many more laurels in the years to come. However, rather surprisingly, it has been 30 odd years since the country last tasted a cup of that magnitude.
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This feat surely isn’t beyond us as Ghana’s football has come of age as was evidenced during the first African Fifa World Cup held in South Africa in 2010. The Black Stars was the sole torchbearer for Africa getting into the quarter-final stage, and the rest is history.
Ghana placed third when we hosted the soccer fiesta in 2008, finished second to Egypt in Angola 2010 with a virtually young team and anything short of the cup will be a huge disappointment at Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea 2012 because many people think the moment of truth is now.
When Ghana won the title in 1982, Egypt who now has won the title a record Seven (7) times had won it only twice in 1957 and 1959. However, the Pharaoh’s has made a strong case for North African football by winning again in 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroun is now joint second with Ghana by virtue of their title triumphs in 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002.
Quite refreshingly, these two powerhouses of African football will not be part of the 2012 edition as they both failed to qualify together with the Super Green Eagles of Nigeria. There will therefore be little or no further excuses not to win this time around as was the case in Senegal 1992 when the Stars lost via a marathon penalty shoot-out with the Elephants of Ivory Coast. Many argue the absence of the maestro Abedi Ayew Pele in the final game after he received a second bookable offence in the semi-final game against Nigeria cost us dearly.
Even though there are no more underdogs in association football, the Ivorians together with Senegal obviously will be the nemesis of the Stars as they parade one of the strongest teams coming to the tournament.
The Elephants will be coming to the tournament with the likes of Kolo and Yaya Toure (Man City), Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou (Chelsea), Siaka Tiene (PSG), Emmanuel Eboue (Galatasaray), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow), Gervinho (Arsenal), Cheick Tiote (Newcastle United), Romaric Kofi Ndri (Espanyol), Emerse Fae (Nice) among others.
The Lions of Teranga from Senegal also has some fantastic players in the shape of Souleymane Diawara (Marseille), Armand Traore (Queens Park Rangers), Papiss Cisse (Freiburg), Moussa Sow (Lille), Mame Biram Diouf (Man Utd), Demba Ba (Newcastle Utd), Mamadou Niang (Al-Sadd) and the likes.
The likes of Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso also possess a well-knit team which can cause surprises at the tournament, and so must not be underrated at all. They have an array of talented players who are plying their trades in very competitive leagues all over the world.
Even though so-called big names do not play football these days, these names will certainly put the fear of God in many a team. It is in this vein that our sports administrators must do away with their parochial interests and pick the best players available for the tourney.
The following players must certainly be called-up for the Gabon and Equatorial Guinea African Cup of Nations Championship if we stand any chance of annexing the title;
Goalkeepers: Adam Larsen Kwarasey (Strømsgodset, Norway), Richard Kingson (Unattached), Sammy Adjei (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)
Defenders: John Mensah (Lyon, France), Isaac Vorsah (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Jonathan Mensah (Evian Thonon Gaillard, France), John Paintsil (Leicester City, England), Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Lee Addy (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)
Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Vitesse Arnheim, Netherlands), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Derek Boateng (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France), Rabiu Mohammed (Evian Thonon Gaillard, France)
Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain, UAE), Prince Tagoe (Bursaspor, Turkey), Derek Asamoah (Pohang Steelers, South Korea), Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France), Dominic Adiyiah (Karşiyaka, Turkey).
There is absolutely no doubt that these players are the best available material the nation currently has at its disposal take it or leave it. So in calling up these players for the assignment ahead, objectivity must strictly override nepotism and favouritism.
Goran Stevanovic must understand that he needs to be a bit tough in order to deal with certain manipulative hands. It is understood that certain bigwigs within the football fraternity always try to have their own way as far as player selection especially for tournaments are concerned. But, he needs to stick to his guns because Ghanaians will not forgive him if he fails to win this cup as he promised all Ghanaians during his unveiling on January 12, 2011.
With the “bison” Michael Essien out injured, Stephen “Tornado” Appiah and Kelvin Prince Boateng both retiring recently, our team will definitely be bereft of some talent but there are adequate backups that can neutralize their absence.
The current crop of players has achieved so much but yet to win a single cup. Majority of these players have been playing together for well over ten years. The core of the team has been together since being runners-up at the Under 20 World Cup in Argentina 2001 which has created a strong bond between the players and so they are always willing to die for each other, a key ingredient in their success.
The time for Ghana to win its fifth Africa Cup is now. The achievements in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 World Cups must be made to reflect on the African terrain. All hands must therefore be on deck to help the boys in their quest to rule Africa once again.
Long Live Ghana Football!!!
Long Live Black Stars!!!
A masterpiece like this from you has been long awaited...You could'nt hav adressed the issues much better.I definetely agree with you that the tym for the black stars to win the coveted Nations cup trophy is now,without having to sound over confident and direspectful to other participating teams this is by far the most glorious opportunity for the Stars to exorcise the Ghosts of not winning the illustrious trophy for the past 30yrs...VIVA Black Stars,your time is now!!!
ReplyDeleteA masterpiece like this from you has been long awaited...You could'nt hav adressed the issues any better.I definetely agree with you that the tym for the black stars to win the coveted Nations cup trophy is now,the strides that the Stars have made in the last six or seven yrs places them on a much better pedastal to annex the AFCON trophy come February next year. Without having to sound over confident and direspectful to other participating teams this is by far the most glorious opportunity for the Stars to exorcise the Ghosts of not winning the illustrious trophy for the past 30yrs..The current crop of players,as it stands have everything in their armoury to come home with the ultimate,this is a technically well directed side Goran Plavi Stefanovic has at his disposal,a young but fairly experienced outfit as well,a highly motivated and success driven team is what the Black Stars has now metamorphosised into and we'd certainly have no excuses to make if we did not come back home with the Trophy in our hands...VIVA Black Stars,your time is now!!!
ReplyDeleteNathan.