In 2010, Ghana was a penalty kick away from the World Cup semifinals; something if it had happened would have been a first for Africa. It was a fairytale the neutrals would have loved, for in Ghanaians they saw the new darlings of world football. But it ended abruptly when a certain goal was denied after Luis Suarez handled the ball and the resulting penalty was missed by Asamoah Gyan.
Four years on, they are back on the World stage, to try their luck at a third successive World Cup. It is still a good team, a nice blend of youth and experience driven by a strong work ethic inculcated by manager Kwesi Appiah. It had a convincing qualifying campaign as well, losing only once.
Yet, its group leaves it with anything but a sense of comfort. It’s arguably the toughest of groups an African side can find itself in. If Germany and Portugal are world class sides, a third team in the United States hardly offers encouragement, though it’s a country which has faced elimination at the hands of Ghana in the last two editions.
Appiah has chosen to exclude the Black Stars' former captain John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah over fitness issues. Known as the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’, Mensah was a source of strength and stability at the back for long. Now, the job of mitigating the effect the duo’s absence will have falls on Samuel Inkoom and Harrison Afful.
With defense being a weak point, Ghana’s hopes of progressing will rest on the trio of Michael Essien, Gyan and Sulley Muntari with Kevin-Prince Boateng expected to assist them ably. Ghana legend Abedi Pele’s son Andre Ayew and Juventus’ Kwadwo Asamoah will be the other front men in the spotlight.
“You don't go there limiting yourself because some people think it's impossible,” said Mensah recently. “I think we can put Africa on the map in Brazil.” Whatever be the odds, it is this bullishness that sets the team apart.
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