HISTORY BECKONS STARS (JAN 30, 2010)

THE curtains will be brought down on the 27th edition of the African Cup of Nations (CAN 2010) at the November 11 National Stadium in Angola tomorrow with what many people have described as an intriguing match-up.
After three weeks of exciting competition involving 15 teams and characterised by stunning results and excellent performances, defending champions Egypt, already six times winners of the tournament, face off with Ghana’s Black Stars, four times champions.
Both sides stand on the threshold of history, the Pharaohs eyeing their third successive title and the Stars chasing their fifth after 28 years in the wilderness.
The two teams reached the finals with contrasting performances and results — the Pharaohs of Egypt maintained a 100 per cent record and have scored as many as 14 goals while the Stars reached the final with more of a tactical game plan which saw them progressing with a goal each at every stage.
Indeed, the Egyptians were among the favourites to impress at this competition, and the Stars, on the other hand, confronted with a tall injury list, were not given a dog’s chance but the Ghanaian team, built around a bunch of youngsters, have proved all the sceptics wrong, at least to this point.
Again, the Egyptians won the title as recent as two years ago when Ghana hosted the event, while the Stars last featured in the final during the 1992 competition staged in Senegal and which they lost to Cote d’Ivoire on penalties.
Looking at the performance at this competition, the Stars are again considered the outsiders in tomorrow’s final and conquering the Pharaohs may seem a tall order.
The Daily Graphic, however, believes that the Stars reached the final by great team spirit, unity of purpose and determination coupled with a high level of tactical discipline and those same ingredients will not be missing when they line up against Egypt.
Against a resilient Egyptian side though, the game plan should change and for this reason the Daily Graphic urges Coach Milovan Rajevac and his men to lift their game.
We also appeal to the Stars to draw inspiration from the Black Satellites who, against all odds, won the Under-20 World Cup last year against Brazil to make themselves and Ghana proud.
By reaching this far, the Stars have achieved a proud feat and winning the title tomorrow will be the icing on the cake.
As they themselves have shown at this tournament, football does not follow logic and anything and everything is possible.
They can reach for the skies where they truly belong. The Daily Graphic and all Ghanaians wish them the best of luck.
With prayers from all Ghanaians and determination on the players’ side, there can be a David-Goliath encounter in Luanda tomorrow.