BRAVO, BLACK STARS (JAN 25, 2010)

Ghana's Black Stars yesterday became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations after a deserved 1-0 victory over the host nation, displaying admirable will power, work ethics and tactical discipline that ended the host nation's party.
The victory lifted the nation's spirit, as Ghanaians in every nook and cranny erupted into spontaneous jubilation when Referee Benouza Mohamed blew the final whistle to send Ghana into the last four.
Yesterday's victory was made sweeter because when it mattered most the Stars stepped up the game and rose to the occasion in an intimidating atmosphere made more difficult by questionable officiating that was, perhaps, aimed at frustrating the Stars and breaking their spirits.
It is never an easy affair playing against 50,000 home fans when the stakes are high, not least when the Head of State, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, was in attendance to cheer the home team to victory. Impressively, the Stars defied all odds, played with passion and hardly appeared intimidated.
Asamoah Gyan, a player whose commitment had been questioned after refusing to play in a friendly game against Angola, provided the touch of class that silenced his critics and sent Ghana into the last four.
Ghana might have been depleted of big-name stars such as Michael Essien, John Mensah, John Paintsil, Stephen Appiah, Anthony Annan and Sulley Muntari but yesterday there was a desire to die for the nation among all the Ghanaian players on the field who were driven by unity of purpose and sheer bravado in pursuit of a national aspiration.
The decision by Coach Milovan Rajevac to axe some big stars and fall on the key players who masterminded Ghana's triumph at the FIFA Under-20 championship has proved a resounding success in giving the young players an opportunity to carry their recent form to Africa's flagship tournament, as well as send a clear message that no player's position is guaranteed.
The Stars' performance so far provides valuable lessons to Ghanaians that with unity of purpose, determination, hard work and encouragement, Ghana can make giant strides in nation building and all spheres of life.
As Ghana moves even closer to the final, the task ahead of the team will be even greater, as all eyes will be on the injury-ravaged Black Stars who limped into the tournament but shook off a bad start to progress to the last four.
It requires smart tactics and quick thinking on the part of Coach Rajevac and tactical discipline and hard work on the part of the players for Ghana to scale their next hurdle.
It is the hope of the DAILY GRAPHIC that Anthony Annan and Asamoah Gyan who pulled out of yesterday's game with injury will recuperate quickly to enable the Black Stars to go into Thursday's semi-final game at full strength to enable the team to live the dream of ending a 28-year drought to lift a fifth continental title.
The DAILY GRAPHIC congratulates the players and their technical handlers on their effort and hope they will not rest on their laurels but press on to win the African cup.