2015 Nations Cup Special: The Black Stars of Ghana

In a volatile and a tensed environment like the Ghanaian soccer fraternity, the least expected of the Ghana national team is to generate another unfortunate incident after the Brazil palaver.

From the torment of slaps in camps to league injunctions, injuries to star players to change in managerial in staff, the good days of the blacks might have been left behind way too far.

Their qualification campaign to the ebola threatened continental show piece almost ended in jeopardy, not least the performance of the team against the cranes of Uganda in Kumasi, in the opener.

Known for been the favourite hunting grounds of late, the unpredictable Ghanaian spectator for once failed to become a supporter, at least for the black stars. It took a late contentious penalty from Andre Dede Ayew to split the points in Kumasi. The jerky performance in Lome or the nail biting defeat to Sylli nationals only buttressed the undulating nature of their qualification campaign.

Meandering their way through nations like Togo, Uganda and Guinea, you might be forgiven for thinking the Black stars were battling giants like Cameroon and Ivory coast for the two tickets available.

Their 13 goals scored in the qualification might only be second to the dreaded Elephants of Ivory Coast, but when you realize they labored to a 3-1 victory over the Sylli Nationals or their checkered 3-0 spanking of the Hawks in Tamale, you will get the picture clearer.

Their 6 goals scored away in the qualification looks impressive, but considering 3 of the 6 were scored in one game against the limping Hawks side in a heart breaking 90 minutes for any black stars fan.

Their defensive benevolence can be likened to the Stephen Appiah charity foundation, but in this case they give away goals, goals and goals. Seven goals conceded in 6 matches is in no way bad for any national side, but looking at their disjointed nature, bad reading of movement from strikers, and no natural leader at the back, you might be forced to spot where I am sighting.

They will be slaughtered alive should they meet quality opposition than a disturbed Adebayor in a disjointed Togolese team.  The black stars of Ghana might be scoring a goal every 50.91 minutes in their 560 minutes of qualification campaign, whiles conceding a goal every 80 minutes en route to the continental gathering.

Only the Ivorians (13) scored more than the black stars (11) whiles the leaky defense is ranked 6^th , worsened by just 3 nations amongst the competing teams assembled. Will you prefer a solid defense to a potent attack or the vice versa? Remember, strikers win matches but defenders win trophies.

With a rich history as that of the Ghana Black stars, it is only normal that no nation among the competing sides betters that of the black stars. Having played more matches, won more matches and played more finals than any other competing side, the time may just be ripe for Asamoah Gyan and his golden era to finally lay their hands on the greatest for an African footballer.

Champions on four different occasions, the magic of Libya 1982 may not be far away. 33 years without a Nations cup medal to a team as consistent as the black stars may include injustice from lady luck as well, but the blank truth is bad planning before tournaments, change in managerial heads, and lack of faith on the local scene- players and coaches alike.

Remember, all four titles won previously were achieved under black coaches of Ghanaian descents. If Stephen Keshi can win it for Nigeria with locally based players, why not Ghana under Maxwell Konadu of Kwesi Appiah? Who scored the winning goal for the beleaguered defending champions? I hope you know he is from the NPL. Paa Grant may have other ideas in Equitorial Guinea.

Nations cup records in brief

They might be known in the continent for producing quality players from across the field, from the era of Osei Kofi to Abedi Ayew Pele, Micheal Essien to Agyeman Badu or the goal scoring heroics of former liberty professional youth prodigy, Asamoah Gyan. The long and joyous history of the black stars on the continental show piece is seen below:

Appearance : 20 th

DEBUT: 1963

83 MP                   46-MW                 16-MD                  21-ML                   111-GS                  71-GC

BEST PLACE FINISH: CHAMPIONS IN 1963, 1965, 1978 AND 1982( 4 times champions)

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS AGAINST GROUP MEMBERS

NATION              P                             W                            D                             L

SENEGAL             11                           5                              5                              1

ALGERIA              11                           4                              3                              4

S. AFRICA            9                              2                              3                              4

Having won just over 37% of matches against group opponents,  only a strong show in Equatorial Guinea will bridge the ever widening gap between the players and the agitated fans. Do not expect too many Ghanaians in Equitorial Guinea, not least the league starting just a week into the tourney. Can the stars bulldoze their way out of the Desert Foxes? How will they cope with Vilakazi and Chalaala combination in the Baffana Baffana squad? The least you imagine about Sadio Mane and the well lubricated Terranga lions side the better.  My worry is who will partner the ever reliable Jonathan Mensah. Keep your choice like I kept mine.

STAR PLAYER TO WATCH:

On his day, any member of the 23 players selected by veteran Israeli trainer can be a star player of his own. The one crystalline clear fact however is, over 60% of their competition goals are usually orchestrated by Asamoah Gyan, either as a scorer or a creator.

With the former liberty professional, Modena, Udinese, Stade Renes, Sunderland and now Al AIn forward, has always by far their main route to goals in any tournament under recent memory.

He might have boiled down a bit, but his goals are as priceless as Ronaldo’s goals to the course of Portuguese football.

With stellar names  like Sulley Ali Muntari, Micheal Kobina Essien , Dereck Boateng , Kwadwo Asamoah all missing the train because of one reason or another, the chance for the new comers to gel may just end the 33 year wait for any continental bragging right. Can you rely on Mubarak Wakaso to augment Asamoah Gyan as a goal threat?

Football can never be understood in the fullest.

The 23 man released by Paa Avrant Grant is seen below:

BLACK STARS PLAYERS AND THEIR JERSEY NUMBER FOR CAN 2015

They might be 15 other competitors alongside the black stars of Ghana, but if there ever is a nation that is more demanding of winning the continental glory, then it is the black stars.

They need to win the ultimate prize , so as to win back the Ghanaian hospitality. Will they be afforded the kind of heroics welcome they received at Tamale? 6 matches away from ending a 33 year old torment or 3 matches away from erasing the 2006, and 2010 world cup palaver.

See you in the review for the 1996 nations cup winners, BAFFAN BAFFANA.

Written by : Saani Abacha

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: saani_abacha