GHANA HITS EGYPT FOR SIX IN 1st LEG WORLD CUP 2014 PLAY-OFF QUALIFIER

By Frederick Quaye
In my preview yesterday, I likened Ghana’s World Cup first leg play-off qualifier with Egypt in Kumasi to the 5-1 drubbing two-time African Club Champions, Asante Kotoko, gave to Zamalek in 1987.

However, I did not think they would be able to overwhelm the Pharaohs the way they did to achieve a lopsided 6-1 record performance at the Baba Yara Stadium this evening.

Just as in 1987 during which Kotoko led Zamalek by 3-1 on the half-way mark, the Black Stars of Ghana mirrored that result with an Asamoah Gyan strike, complemented by a Wael Goma own goal, then a Mohammed Aboutrika penalty conversion before Majeed Warris restored the 2 goal cushion to Ghana.

In 1987, the second half was all Kotoko and the dominance was reflected in two goals from midfield strongman, Sarfo Gyamfi and power forward, Saraah-Mensah; however in the second half of this evening’s match, the Black Stars nailed the 7 time African Champions with three goals from Gyan, Sulley Muntari and Christian Atsu to complete the 6-1 hiding.

In my preview I implied that the injured defenders John Boye, Isaac Vorsah and Jonathan Mensah won’t be missed. Indeed their absences were not felt with the exception of a mistake by Rachid Sumaila that resulted in the penalty converted by an Aboutrika who was a mere shadow of himself.

On a personal level I think the Egyptians were defeated long before the match. Who would be able to take the festive and massive support Kumasi fans give to their beloved Black Stars?

The unrelenting chants of praise and “oje” songs will be enough to drive the fear of God into any side that plays in the BabaYara Stadium.

The early goals also did their bit to unsettle the Pharaohs and even more so the Ghana strategy of taking the fight to Egypt from the whistle,totally deflated the usual flow of their game.This defeat should not signal the end of the Pharaohs,perhaps rather it is a pointer to what they need to do away with and something they need to bring into their game and again it just could be that Ghana was too potent in their backyard to be beaten. Who knows?

   

At first glance, this unprecedented massive score line against the Pharaohs of Egypt gives the Black Stars of Ghana an almost automatic ticket to Brazil.

However, an appeal by the Ghana Football Association to FIFA to play their return leg in a neutral place due to the unstable situation in Egypt will not affect the aggregate outcome.

I daresay the ticket to Brazil has been truly booked regardless of the venue of the return leg match which is slated for next month.

GHANA V EGYPT : A WORLD CUP 2014 PLAYOFF QUALIFIER -"UNTESTED DEFENDERS?"

By Frederick Quaye

As a precocious 18 year old defender in 1981, Kwasi Appiah,now Ghana's manager superbly handled the skilful Zairean winger, Mayele Ayele, and blunted his wizardry such that Ghana was able to qualify for the 13th Africa Cup Of Nations in Libya which they eventually won.

That same skill and calm confidence to disable and neutralize forwards,will come in handy when they face Egypt in the penultimate qualifier for Word Cup 2014 in Brazil tomorrow in Kumasi.

Ghana, who are popularly known as the Black Stars, has been hit by an injury epidemic that has effectively sidelined three of her  regular  defenders who played in the World Cup 2010 and the last 2 Africa Cup of Nations .

John Boye, Jonathan Mensah and Isaac Vorsah have all been hit by injuries which will prevent them from featuring for at least two weeks, however the coach Appiah has an answer to naysayers and those who think their substitutes will find it hard to fit in against the Pharaohs on the night.

Drawing from his own personal story of having to lace on the boots for his first full international as an “untested” left full back against a marauding Zaire side who had drawn 2-2 with Ghana in Accra, the Ghana manager has more than enough wisdom to share and instill into Mohammad Awal, Edwin Gyimah and Rachid Sumaila, the replacements for Boye, Mensah and Vorsah.

Says he” 'I have never relied on one particular player, I always believe that as a team you prepare and make sure you have very good substitutes so that when you have issues of players getting injury you can replace them,'' he told Joy Sports

''And if other players had not been given the opportunity and used, it would have been very difficult at this moment. Fortunately for us, we have a very strong group that we can always depend on.''

The same composure and quiet confidence that he now exudes as Black Stars coach are the ones that he has always had as a player and will help his lads tomorrow to achieve a huge victory against 7 time African champions, Egypt whose last visit at the FIFA World Cup was in 1990.

Similarly, when Ghana qualified for Libya in 1982, a new generation with comparatively scant experience had taken over from those who won the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, so understandably very few gave them a dog’s chance of even qualifying beyond the first round, much more conquering the continent.

With the likes of legendary players like Thomas Nkono of Cameroon, Salah Assad and Rabah Madjer of Algeria, Stephen Keshie of Nigeria among other celebrated names, Ghana indeed presented a sorry pack of untested schoolboys.

Some of the untested players of the make-shift Ghana team who featured were, “Tarkwa Polo”-Opoku Nti, “Zion Train”-John Essien,”Gaddafi”-Sampson Lamptey, George Alhassan, and a then seventeen year old,  you might know-,Abedi Ayew Pele.

At the end of the tournament “make-shift “Ghana ran away with 5 players voted to the CAF Team of the tournament!

So whoever tells me Mohammed Awal, Edwin Gyimah and Rachid Sumaila who have been drafted in to replace regular defenders John Boye, Jonathan Mensah and Isaac Vorsah will not have an excellent day tomorrow, tell them there was no Kwasi Appiah for Ghana in 1981 against Mayele Ayele for Zaire and Ghana never won the 13^th edition of the Africa Cup Of Nations in Libya. Period.

Ghana v England: A Preview-By Frederick Quaye

By now you would have heard that England coach Fabio Capello has released Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, and back-to –Bataan captain John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard of Chelsea after their 2-0 triumph over Wales in a 2012 Euro qualifier. This means these players will not feature tomorrow against Ghana in London in the first ever match between the two sides which pits former colonial master against former colony if you will.

Some have claimed that these players are very important to their teams’ European Champions league quarterfinal s to be played on April 6 when Chelsea face Manchester United in a grudge match. Remember Chelsea lost the Champions league Final against Manchester United 2 years ago on penalties.

Anyway back to the point. Some have said it is just a ploy by Capello to escape blame if in-form Ghana beats his side on Tueday.Neequaye Addison of Dallas says” They are so afraid Ghana will disgrace them that he had to drop these guys so a defeat would be seen as against a watered-down England”. However others have also argued that whether watered -down or not Capello’s side is England.

Still others have maintained that dropping players is normal. Germany also released captain Philip Lamm and Real Madrid pair Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira for their friendly against Australia tomorrow. However Neequaye Addison maintains that that is different. Austria are minnows in football, however Ghana who have been to two successive World Cups [2006, 2010] where the qualified for the second round and quarters respectively cannot be termed minnows. So the Italian must have an agenda which is to steal away the glory should Ghana win and take the glory should Ghana lose.” he said.

Whatever it is on paper England are favorites ranked sixth on the FIFA Rankings while Ghana are 15^th.However, the only times the two have met are in the FIFA U-20 tournaments in Australia 1993 and Egypt 2009.In the first encounter in Sydney, finalists Ghana won 2-1 with goals from Augustine Ahinful and Mohammed Gargo while Jamie Pollock replied for his country in the semis. Ghana overran them in Egypt 4-0 two years ago on the way to becoming World U-20 champions.

So for Ghana there is no fear only high expectation with at least 5 players from their U-20 world championship side including Andre Ayew, Dominic Adiyiah, Ransford Osei and Jonathan Mensah and Samuel Inkoom that they will bloody the eyes of their former colonial masters for good measure. I think Ghana has a very committed group of players who although were not expected to qualify for the second round at the 2010 World Cup almost slid into the semis but for a Suarez hand of God incident. England who were expected to go as far as the semis, slunk out at the second round. England may have a lot to fear from Ghana.

Indeed with players as Sunderland trio Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah and Sulley Muntari and Schalke’s Annan, among the original group that played the World Cup, The Three Lions who are reportedly going to field an entirely different XI should have a lot to fear from 4-time African champions Black Stars. They are playing their best football at this stage enough for them to overrun England and make nonsense of the FIFA rankings.

Perhaps it would be more pragmatic to peg FIFA rankings to World Cup performance? At the World Cup2006, debutants Ghana were not expected to qualify from the group which included eventual winners Italy, Czech Republic [then ranked #2] ,the USA [then ranked #4]. Ghana made a no brainer of the FIFA rankings blowing away the Czech Republic and USA to qualify for the second round. If indeed Ghana does win then they would have made a case for a revision of FIFA Rankings?

Whatever happens on the pitch tomorrow, Fabio Capello would have no excuses and I feel Ghana has enough chemistry to soundly beat England at home to make history.

OPEN LETTER TO FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER

Ordinarily,the blue and yellow FIFA Fairplay flag straining against the grip of four ball boys would not elicit any emotion in me.However,these are not ordinary days and so my emotions are aroused if just because I do not want it to be only a media showpiece.A media showpiece for the Fifa World Cup in South Africa 2010.
Indeed, Mr Blatter your time in Fifa presidency has brought a lot of smiles to all the federations and especially when you historically helped in making Africa's hosting not only an idea but a reality, the melodic refrain of justice and fair play was chorused around the globe. For Egypt had first represented the continent in the 1934 World Cup and it took another thirty-six years before Africa was given a spot in the Finals.Then another forty years to be able to host the mundial.Hmmm,Mr. Blatter the walk has not been easy.But anyway forgive me, I digress!
Mr.Blatter,I know the FIFA Fairplay idea is to ensure that play and officiating on the field is fair.And everyone plays by the FIFA book and has access to the proverbial even playing field.
However a series of events in this World Cup have contrived to make a tragedy of fairplay.
The USA v Slovenia Group C match provided an insight to what must not be at the World Cup. After falling behind 2-0 in the first half,the Red,White and Blue Stripes got even in one of their gutsiest performances ever,only to be denied a game winning Maurice Edu strike in the dying embers of the match.Fair?Definitely not!Yet Malian referee Coman Koulibaly waved off the goal.A simple playback would have clarified the situation and prevented heart troubles!
Mr Blatter,I am sure you also familiar with the England- Germany second round match in which the English were denied a perfect goal scored by Frank Lampard was ignored by referee Jorge Larrionda of Uruguay. Indeed ,it goes without saying that this goal could either have been potentially the game-turning goal for the Three Lions or could have further inspired die Nationalelf to a much better performance.However, we will never know because fairplay was denied.
Also the Argentina-Mexico match in the second round in which Argentina went ahead in a clearly offside position through forward CarlosTevez.Argentina went on to win 3-1,but we would not truly know what would have been if the goal had rightly been ruled off-side. What we know is that fairplay was denied the El Tri of Mexico,with the attendant painful frustrations etc.
Again,Mr Blatter, in that stunner of a match where La Cote D'Ivoire dominated Brazil for 20 minutes before falling to a Luis Fabiano goal which had foul written all lover it. We can say that was a tide-turner for the Samba Boys of Brazil who went on to win 3-1. But what would have happened if that infringement had been penalized and the Fabiano goal annulled?But then again fairplay was denied.French referee Stephane Lannoy saw to that.
Mr. Blatter, I am sure you get the picture,but this is the last one I am going to talk about.Ghana was heading towards [in fact had it sewn up]victory late in the final period of extra time when an headed Dominic Adiyiah effort was clawed out by Luis Suarez. Referee Olegario Benquerenca of Portugal sent him off and awarded Ghana the penalty.But then again fair play was denied.Why?Because the ball crossed the line first ,so a goal should have been awarded. Second, a penalty which has a 50-50 chance of being converted is not enough or rather not the enough compensation.The Black Stars of Ghana should have been in the semis by now, if play had been fair. A video playback would have assisted the referee in coming to the right decision to ward off controversy.
Indeed,Luis Suarez even celebrated his paid-off gamble proving that a red card was not sufficient punishment.Thus to serve as deterrent in the future any goal bound shot handled by a player other than a goalkeeper must be awarded as goal to the shooter and the offender suspended for five competitive FIFA-sanctioned matches.
Mr. Blatter, your tenure has seen Africa awarded 5 places at the World Cup and its hosting the globe's most watched event for the first time ever and a host of changes that have made the World Cup a truly global affair.If change had been effected before this World Cup in terms of using technology to ensure fairplay,Ghana would have been in the semi-finals thus making history and that, sir,would have sealed your contribution to African football and fairplay in the World Cup as a whole.We look forward to another tenure for you as you stand again for the FIFA Presidency.

GHANA RECEIVES LOW BLOW TO BOW OUT OF WC2010!

It was cruel,it was undeserved,it was even very stupid that Ghana should lose in the manner they did to Uruguay.Many people I encountered after the match have commented on how Ghana lost the opportunity to win the match by first making a hash of the first penalty on the stroke of end of extra time.And also missing two penalties during the penalty kick.
There were others who saw it differently,Bright of Irving, Texas says the blame goes squarely to Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez,who clawed out Adiyiahs goal-bound shot to deny the Africans a spot in the semifinals and history."If he had not INTENTIONALLY handle the ball,we would have been home and dry in the semis.What irks me even more is that he was caught on television on his way out in the tunnel celebrating!I can only say he and his sort always get their reward,see France?a visibly upset Bright said.
For me I think Fifa must revise their rules and make a goal bound shot cleared off the line count as a goal and the offender sent off.This might be a far-fetched idea seeing how Fifa is slow to effect any changes in their rule book! Incidentally Gyan and the other Black Stars said the ball crossed the line and the goal should have been given. But remember a certain disallowed England's potential match-turning goal, a week ago against Germany?
Again, a penalty is not always converted as a certain Roberto Baggio can attest to,that is the reason why Suarez risked a red card and a hand a crucial lifeline to Celeste to qualify for the semis.As it played out,his gamble paid off and he celebrated on his way to a late shower!Gyans resultant pk had cannoned off the crossbar with the goalie completely beaten,the shrill whistle ended Ghana's chance of winning in regulation time.
During the shootout,Asamoah Gyan and Stephen Appiah converted while spielfuhrer John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah missed .Inspirational striker Forlan sunk for Uruguay while Abreu chipped Kingston to send his side into the semifinals.
Pastor Richard of Dallas said Ghana's inability to put a match away also led to this situation. Says he"When Ghana led the USA,they could not kill of the game until during extra time.That kind of play plays to the advantage of more experienced teams who could use any means to deny you as we saw"He believes however that this young team has a great future and if they are consistent in building they will become a force to recon with.

ghana v URUGUAY

I could not have predicted Holland's stunning defeat of Brazil a few hours ago,however that is football.So going into the next match between Ghana and Uruguay who have won the World Cup twice[1930,1950],its just a wait and see thing.
However with the mercy of God the overwhelming support of Africans for the only team left in the competition and history beckoning ,Ghana could yet prove experts wrong. They could step into the semis for the first time for Africa and also go through as as team that was not expected to deliver after a host of injuries,most notably Michael Essien their talismanic player who plays for Chelsea.However three, in fact four players[Ayew,Gyan,Boateng,Kingston] have stepped up to the plate to fill the inspirational roleof Essien.
For Uruguay having last participated in 1990 they already look devastating with all their goals coming from the Atletico Madrid man Diego Forlan and Suarez.They are solid but they are yet to be tried by any team and Ghana could yet provide that explosion.They are also looking to their cool coach Tabarez,who also led them in 1990 to provide the tactical grey matter to beat Ghana.
Whether they are able to achieve this or not will also depend on their fortitude. How they play after going down .
However this duel will be titanic with no quarter given or asked and as this World Cup has revealed,no one knows what will transpire until after the final whistle!However I do see Ghana making history if the referee's are fair.

HISTORY -MAKING GHANA QUALIFIES FOR THEWORLD CUP 2010 QUARTERS

Finally after 120 pulsating minutes, Ghana moved into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in her history.Ghana have thus equaled a similar record achieved by Cameroun in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
The Black Stars achieved the victory over The Stars and Stripes through spectacular strikes by Germany-reject Prince Kevin Boateng in the 5th minute while World Cup Golden Boot contender ,Asamoah Gyan, rocked the American net with his scorcher in the 2nd minute of extra time.The Yanks had their goal via a penalty expertly taken by talisman,Landon Donovan in the 62nd.
It was indeed a tale of two halves and lived up to its pre-match billing.Prior to the match media hype was that the USA intended to avenge the 2-1 loss to their counterparts at the FIFA World Cup in Germany,four years ago.In fact Stephen Appiah's penalty which knocked the Americans out of the World Cup was a sore point.So the stage was set for an epic battle and both sides were ready!
Ghana,in red,totally dominated the first half while ,the Americans owned the second half.Just after 5 minutes,disaster struck the Americans.Kwadjo Asamoah dispossessed Ricardo Clark in midfield, set up Kevin Boateng ,who breezed past the gawking American defence and dragged his carpet shot wide of the despairing dive of Tim Howard into the net for the opener.
Needless to say this superb goal unsettled the white-jerseyed Americans who have a habit of giving away early goals[Group C opponents,England and Slovakia]. From then on Ghana did as they pleased with the ball piling pressure on the American defence without increasing their tally.
However again composure deserted the Yanks when speedster Robbie Findley failed to put away a golden chance when in the clear.Kingston came to Ghana's recue with a stuck-out left foot to deny the Yanks.
Kwadjo Asamoah who left Demerit in his wake had his connection firmly smothered by Howard who also came up big with a couple of other saves.
A totally different picture payed out after the interval for the Yanks with the introduction of midfielders Maurice Edu and Benny Feilhaber. These sublime players made all the difference and the tables turned with Ghana increasingly on the backfoot. It was a surprise though that 19 year old defender Jonathan Mensah was penalized for clearing from a marauding Clint Dempsey.That penalty was indeed controversial just like Ghana's four years ago.Landon Donovan wrong footed Richard Kingston in converting the penalty.His kick caressed the inside post before settling in the net.
In one of their surging runs, a pass from midfield found Jozy Altidore,whose delayed reaction kick just veered wide off the Ghana back post with both Kingston and captain Mensah committed.Earlier on Michael Bradley had beaten the offside trap but his limp shot was easily cradled by Kingston.
America continued to press their advantage with the addition of Herculez Gomez but it was the Ghanaians who benefited in the 2nd minute of extra time.Carlos Bocanegra challenged Asamoah Gyan after a lofted midfield pass but while the striker was still off-balance ,he struck in a thunderbolt left footer that Tim Howard could only claw at. That goal deflated American hopes of taking the day and Ghana took possession of the game until full time,with Andre Ayew strutting his stuff allover the field much to American discomfort.
Maurice Edu's teary face ,the deeply-disappointed eyes of Coach Bradley and Donovan's bowed down head told it all,while the animated dance by Asamoah Gyan and diminutive AnthonyAnnan summed up Ghanaian and African emotions.
However the pictures that will stay with me forever are the ones on both sides of the match. The first was a frontal of Kingston in prayer with outstretched arms imploring God for mercy.The second was at the end with the shot from his back with outstretched arms in thankful prayer with Ghana flags dancing in the background.He knew what mercies he had received.... the race is not to the swift...