FOUR years ago, Ghana's Black Stars stunned the world of football and made history when they beat the United States 2-1 in their final Group E clash in their World Cup debut in Germany to qualify for the one-sixteenth round of the tournament.
As fate will have it, the two sides come face to face in a crucial round of 16 duel to be played in Rustenburg this evening. Whichever way one looks at it, this is another unique opportunity for the Ghanaians to improve upon their previous showing by advancing to the quarter-final stage of the competition.
When they first met, it was considered a David-and-Goliath affair, with many doubting the football credentials of the Americans. But the same cannot be said today by any stretch of imagination.
Indeed, not only have the Americans improved their game tremendously over the years but, more important, they have produced younger and skilful players over the period.
In the ongoing tournament, we saw them come from behind on two occasions to draw 1-1 with England and 2-2 with Slovenia, before pipping Algeria 1-0 to book the date with the Stars.
The Ghanaians, on the other hand, beat Serbia in their opening match, drew 1-1 with Australia and, despite losing 0-1 to Germany, managed to squeeze themselves into the one-sixteenth round, thanks largely to Australia’s 2-1 defeat of Serbia.
It is against this background that the DAILY GRAPHIC, like most anxious Stars' fans dotted around the world, would expect the Black Stars to lift their game and come out with flying colours tonight to ensure that Africa's interest is sustained in the tournament.
As the only African country to have come this far in the competition, a lot of pressure will, no doubt, be on the Black Stars to continue to shine and keep the African dream on course.
The Ghanaians enter the field tonight fully aware that they carry the hopes of all Africa in this second round match of the World Cup tournament.
They must, therefore, not break any hearts but help mend those already broken elsewhere on the continent by the tragic failures of hosts, South Africa, Cameroun, Nigeria, Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire.
On this account, the DAILY GRAPHIC advises the players not to allow anxiety or over-confidence to creep into their performance. Just as they displayed against Germany last Wednesday, they must keep an ice-cool composure and stride the game with determination, dedication and devotion and wrap up the victory.
Again, it is important to alert the Ghanaians not to underrate the Americans, given the 2-1 victory they recorded over them in their first meeting in 2006. The fact is that there is no logic in the game of football and nobody needs to remind the players that our victory over the Americans some four years ago is no guarantee for another success this evening.
Indeed, victory in tonight’s duel will only come from hard work and determination and we know the Black Stars are capable of rising to the occasion.
Happily, the players know that they are on the threshold of making history, as qualification to the quarter-final round will make them the third African nation — after Cameroun in 1990 and Senegal in 2002 — to reach the quarter-final round of a FIFA World Cup tournament and they cannot allow such a great opportunity to slip by.
On behalf of the teeming soccer fans of this nation, the DAILY GRAPHIC wishes the Black Stars tonnes of luck in tonight’s battle.
Gentlemen, our prayers are with you. You are the hope of Africa. We trust you will deliver.
No comments:
Post a Comment