If the Black Stars win the Africa Cup of nations, I will be the first person to congratulate the Black stars and subsequently jump naked onto the streets as I did in 2009 when the Satellites won the youth championship but before that, we must be circumspect in our hopes since the Stars are not the best going into the tourney.
Sometimes, people misuse facts for pessimism and brand people in that regard and most often unpatriotic, however in as much as there are glaring evidence out there, it must be stated equivocally and in case of eventualities, they are taken by surprise and that is the Black Stars team under perspective.
The only positive the Black Stars take to the Gabon competition is history and nothing more. For years running, Ghana has established itself as one of the few countries who stand tall in the continent greatest competition.
When the stakes are down and the odds are against the team, they rise to the occasion, but can the same be said today; the tactics, the players and what does history has to do with the fortnight tournament.
Tactics (Avram Grant)
There is growing belief in Ghana that the Black Stars are well-placed to undo the 35 years trophy drought but who leads Ghana to this feat, obviously Avram Grant maintains his role, the question remains, what has Grant added to his tactics. A coach who has suffered (winless streak) in his last five matches is being tipped to wrestle power from compatriots who are doing the right things. Per the figures, it is only Avram Grant who has not won a match in his last four or five games compared to his counterparts who would be meeting in the AFCON group D games.
Uganda’s Mulutin Sredojevic
Uganda 0-0 Ghana
Uganda 0-1 Zambia
Uganda 1-0 Congo
Mali’s Alain Giresse
Nigeria 1-0 Mali
South Africa 0-3 Mali
Mali 5-2 Benin
Cote d’lovire 3-1 Mali
Mali 0-0 Gabon
Egypt’s Hector Raul
Egypt 1-1 Guinea
South Africa 1-0 Egypt
Congo 1-2 Egypt
Egypt 2-0 Ghana
Ghana’s Avram Grant
Ghana 1-1 Rwanda
Russia 1-0 Ghana
Ghana 0-0 Ugnada
South Africa 1-1 Uganda
Egypt 2-0 Ghana
Some would want to make a case for Ghana’s trainer depending on the opponents and the nature of the game but fact-bearers will prove that nothing is too absorbing than Rwanda and Uganda at home grounds. It is not to draw conclusion on Grant yet but we wait to see how he would be able to map against Hector Raul, Mulutin Sredojovic and Alain Gresse weeks from now.
Players
When things seem down in the technical part, it is not the best news to report on Ghanaians all over the world.
The core of the Black Stars team are going through downs in their careers. Ghanaians should not bank high hopes on players who have limited playing times in their respective teams. Those who are the core of the team are hit by injuries of different sort, most have dip into form hence dropped to the bench. Unfortunately, they are the ones tipped to hoist the flag. There is no need to put up names.
A critical look at Ghana’s group opponents give evidence that Ghana is short of in-depth going into the tourney. other opponents have players who see week- in week- out football action across the football world. Unfortunately, the same players who oversaw Ghana’s five games winless streak are the same legs who will be making the list to Gabon.
Apart from Richard Ofori, who trade his business in the Ghanaian league, no outfield player made into the provisional squad? This is a confirmation that, Ghana is the only team with no African based player with the exception of Edwin Gyimah in the South African league.
Unlike Avram Grant, his other three group D compatriots have made a blend of African and foreign selection.
The idea is that the tournament is being played in Africa, therefore prominence must be given to weather acclimatization and the nature of the continent game.
Ghanaian must take their minds off history and luck because these are characteristics of right measures. Should Ghana makes any inroads, it would have been borne out of hard work and determination, in case of failure, its reality don on them.
