THE SWEET VICTORY THAT NEVER WAS!

The team which was seeking to end the over 30 years trophy drought on the continent was trampled upon by high-spirited Stallions which looked more composed and eager to get to the finals than the Ghanaians did, making the dream of victory an unrealistic one as far as the 2013 edition was concerned.

How could this dream have been possible if the likes of Bance and Pitroipa were marshalling the attack of the Stallions who remained a thorn in the flesh for the Ghanaian team from the first minute of the game through to the penalty kicks.

Though it looked like the Stars had run out of luck, the Burkinabe deserved more than that victory over Ghana with the telepathic play between the duo; Bance and Pitroipa and the rest of the squad for the night(6th Febrauary,2013).

The defeat was enough to silence a football nation like Ghana making national issues which had died as a result of the AFCON, resurfacing.

As bad losers as the Stars could be, playing for a third place compounded their defensive lapses and other problems with the team.

However, it was not surprising that the master tactician for the Super Eagles of Nigeria; Stephen Keshi, found a way of neutralizing the threats posed by Bance and co in the finals(10th February,2013).

The Super Eagles who had beaten one of the pre-tournament favourites; La Cote D’Ivoire(Ivory Coast) were in full flight on the night making it impossible for the Stallions from Burkina Faso to repeat what they did to Ghana in the Semi-Finals of the competition.

By the commitment and character shown by Burkina Faso, this team would be a very tough customer on any given day as far as football is concerned.

This should inspire other teams on the continent as they are preparing for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.


CONGRATULATIONS TO NIGERIA FOR WINNING THIS EDITION OF AFCON!

“A WEST AFRICAN WAR IN THE OFFING”

If one had told me that the Semi-finals and finals of the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa were to be dominated by teams from West Africa from the onset, I would have been caught between optimism and pessimism.

This is due to the fact that reigning Champions; Zambia were looking forward to defend their title within a period of one year, making the title chase by other teams a keen one.
Try as teams from other blocs of the continent(Eastern, Southern and Northern) did, the saying that “The best comes from the West” has manifested itself here with four teams from West Africa progressing from the quarter final stage to the semis and the grande finale.

These four teams include; The Black Stars(Ghana),The Stallions(Burkina Faso),The Eagles(Mali) and The Super Eagles(Nigeria). These teams would have to outwit each other in order to lift the cup in the finals and doing this will be very fascinating. For the one between Ghana and Burkina Faso, if there is any word to describe it, I would opt for “War” as the Stars might fight to the last drop of their blood to clinch this year’s trophy to end their 30- year drought of trophy.

The last meeting between the two was in 2010 and it ended 1-0 in favour of Ghana but I know the following questions are lingering on the minds of many and being asked repeatedly.

1.Will the Black Stars of Ghana have any bragging right and shine today?

2. Can the Stallions outrun the Stars?

Beside the encounter between the two, another scintillating match would be the one involving the two other teams from West Africa; Mali and Nigeria. Africans and audiences worldwide would be treated to moves, skills, physique, telepathic play among African players in the semis and the grande finale.

All the best to the Black Stars in their quest for the title!

Go Africa! Go Ghana!! Go Black Stars!!!

“BLUE SHARKS ATTACK GHANA TODAY”

If pedigree in football is a factor in today’s quarter final match between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, then I would humbly ask anxious Ghanaians to sleep and not bother to watch the match but modern football has always proven pundits wrong.

This is simply because, Cape Verde is not well-known in football circles as compared to Ghana which is a power house in Africa and a team to reckon with on the world stage but the sharks can “kill” the Stars if complacency sets in.
The Blue Sharks have not had a lot of encounters with Ghana’s Black Stars as a couple of games between the two teams have gone the way of the latter.

Cape Verde was the last country the Black Stars of Ghana played before qualifying for the World Cup in 2006(Germany).
The most recent was a friendly one which ended 1-0 in favour of Ghana but today’s match might bring something different on board as the Ghanaians would want to jump to the semi-final and keep their continental glory dream alive. For many Ghanaians, winning today’s match is a must but modern football does not follow any logic. It often goes the way of the best and lucky team for the day.

Although the match seems crucial, Cape Verde is bearing no pressure as against Ghana which must win at all cost in order to make their chase for a title which has eluded them for over 30 years a viable one.

Ghana and Mali qualified from Group ‘B’ made of Ghana, Mali, DR Congo and Niger. Cape Verde on the other hand, found themselves qualifying with South Africa; the host nation,leaving Angola and Morocco in Group ‘A’.

In the on-going African Cup of Nations in South Africa, some teams have disappointed soccer- loving fans including Zambia; the reigning champions, Angola among others could not qualify from the group stage but Ghana can’t afford to crash out. GO AFRICA! GO GHANA!! GO BLACK STARS!!!