A winning team must never be changed and that is not unfamiliar to Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac. The Black Stars might be without the so called senior players but they have managed the unimaginable by qualifying for the semi final of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Angola.
Were you expecting the team this far? Definitely not and that should give you every reason to form the impression that these young boys really deserve every bit of praise being showered on them.
It's amazing those who wished the Stars evil ahead of the tournament in Angola, thinking they would crush out in first round are now compelled to eat humble pie. As all Ghanaians revel in the glory of a semi final berth in Angola, the issue of who can show up in the national colours at the world cup in South Africa in just about five months time begin to prevail for answers.
The issue of 'monkey dey work, baboo the chop' comes up. This can only happen when Milovan decides to drop the current crop of players and commit his faith to those senior ones who abandoned him in respect of the Africa cup of Nations. There is no denying the fact that the current crop of players in camp have proven their worth, in the way they have displayed tactical efficiency, determination and a great sense of willingness as epitomised by the two wins recorded so far. It was clearly expressed that tactical nou did the trick against Burkina Faso but that performance put up by the Stars against the host nation Angola in the quarter final was simply awesome.
The Black Stars stuck to a certain playing pathern, defended gallantly after scoring one past the Angolans, who could not find the antidote to split apart the Ghanaian defence. Even Asamoah Gyan who was the arrow head striker on the day fell back to clear some sticky situations at the backline of Ghana at a point in time. Youngster Kwadwo Asamoah was like another Abedi Pele for Ghana, his pass to Asamoah Gyan who would convert that chance spectacularly was just spot on. Udinese of Italy are ready to pay $54million for a new deal with Kwadwo Asamoah.
No wonder he was the man of the match against Angola, and who will drop a player of immense quality as Kojo Asamoah from the world Cup squad? . It is no secret some senior players have bloated ego to the extent they could leave the small boys in the team to do all the donkey works for them in a match. Obviously you would agree with me that team work does not function like that and maybe it was a blessing in disguise (excuse me), our key players got injured.
The past is always here to remind us, in 2006 when it was time to go for the nations cup in Egypt, many players decided to turn their back on the nation since they felt the world cup was more rewarding and you couldn't begrudge them as truly the nations cup is nowhere near the world given the scale of importance and value attached to the global showpiece.
However it was appauling to say the least that when the world cup begun, those who snubbed Ghana at the Nations cup were there in Germany, a situation which raised a lot of eyebrows locally. Of course experience is important; trading it for anything else will be suicidal.
There are some players who will be in South Arica by hook or crook if they stay fit while others must fight for their positions. Players such as Paintsil, Essien, Anthony Annan, John Mensah constitute what is termed the untouchables , the rest are not automatic. Bologna midfielder Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari of Inter , Laryea Kingston among others who missed the Angola tournament must be having serious headache as to whether their stamina could much that of Agyemang Badu and Opoku Agyemang who can run ninety mnutes without getting tired; they seem to be learning fast.
From what has been observed so far, Ghana only need John Mensah back to partner Lee Addy at the center back while Paintsil takes his position at the right back, Adu Sarpei has silenlty told Milovan the left back problem is over.
Essien, Annan and Agyemang Badu should form a gritty midfiled containing everything a good teams requires for the world cup. The striking options are in Asamoah Gyan, Adiyiah and Mathew Amoah who need to sharpen his scoring instincts. If you ask me, I would say that Inkoom, Agyemang Badu, Kojo Asamoah, Lee Addy, Dede Ayew and Adiyiah form the future of Ghana football and Milovan must not skip them when selecting his squad for South Africa 2010 world Cup tournament. What do you think?
Source: Yaw Osagyefo Anaman/peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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