Black Stars Are Ready!

Wurzburg (Germany) June 21, GNA - Ghana's Black Stars left their base in Wurzburg early Wednesday morning for Nuremburg ahead of their very important, last Group E fixture against the United States of America on Thursday.

The Ghanaians, regarded as favourites for this game after their splendid performance against the Czech Republic last Saturday, must win to be assured of a stay in the championship believe it is possible to post a decent win in the game against the physical Americas presently ranked fifth in the world.


The Stars are third on the log and though they will be missing two influential players in the game, they believe they can come good with a replica of their performances against the Azzuris and the Czechs. Understandably, the Stars who stunned the soccer world with their outstanding performance last Saturday will be under pressure to deliver against their opponents who may be playing for pride after a loss to Czech and a draw with Italy.


Skipper Stephen Appiah and his charges understand the need to make a statement for themselves and the continent whose other representatives are falling apart game after game.


And when they step out onto the pitch, their sole aim will be to play well and score all the important goals that prove decisive in football matches.


The duel presents the team with the last chance to progress and the feeling in camp is that the hour to do or die is here. The Stars are buoyant the Americas are beatable, though they played an improved game against the Italians after losing 3-0 to the Czechs. One thing that is running through their minds now is how to conjure mother luck - that one ingredient they claimed worked in their favour against the East Europeans.

It is continuously being repeated, how useful lessons picked up in the opener would be applied on Thursday and the players are yearning to find their rhythm to enable them to glitter.


The players themselves reckon how costly mistakes at this level can wreck their ambition.


Hopefully, Coach Ratomir Djukovic must have found a way to fill the vacuum the absebnce of Muntari and Gyan would create in attack and midfield.


The Serbian has already described that task as tedious, based on the abilities of the duo. It is believed he would start skilful midfielder, Derek Boateng and another attacker, which may be Razak Pimpong who had come on as a substitute in all two duels so far.


Djukovic has confirmed his desire to keep faith in the rear that played on Saturday; John Painstil, Habib Mohammed, Sheila Illiasu and John Mensah.

Eric Addo who replaced Otto Addo is expected to return to starting line up, with many hoping that the coach would be able to motivate the boys and adopt the right substitution and strategy that would ensure they come out victorious.


The Americans will no doubt stick to their 4-4-2 formation, which ensures they attack in droves and yet defend, with not less than six players behind the ball at any point in time.


The Stars need fluidity between the midfield and the attack and one can only be hopeful that the 'Bison' Michael Essien and his men would be able to find their rhythm and produce the kind of understanding that existed between the midfielders and strikers in the match against the Czechs.


The battle lines have been drawn, and now more than ever, the Stars require a strong character to enable them to walk off the pitch in national and continental triumph.