Can coach Attuquayefio make it with the locals?

The battle between two of Africa's great soccer nations-Ghana and Nigeria at any level had always been uncompromising and full of drama both on and off the field of play. But perhaps what makes Sunday's encounter in their Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup qualifier at the Accra Sports unique is the fact Blacks Stars coach Jones Attuquayefio is risking featuring entirely home-based players as against a world class foreign-based Nigerian side in this crucial game.

It may not be the first time when a coach has decided to use an entirely local team. But it important to note that in those days, especially in the 1950s and 60s the issue of player exodus was either non-existent or was just being introduced, more so the exercise was not unique to only Ghana.

Even in days of player exodus especially in the mid 1980s coaches in the country had always maintained a blend of locals and foreign best materials to execute any task. It was in the days of Germany coach Bukard Zieds when players like Sam Johnson and Stanley Abora among other local players were transformed.

The scenario in the case of Attuquayefio is quite different. Even though in his case he has his best crop of players in the foreign land, he has opted for the locals on the basis of commitment and loyalty. The coach is yet to register a win since taking over as the Stars' coach after the unfortunate exist of Italian Giusseppe Dossena a couple of months earlier.

He lost 1-2 to the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1-3 to war torn Liberia in Accra and 0-1 to yet another war ravage Sudan, all in a World Cup qualifier. The Black Stars are in a distant forth place in their five-team group including Nigeria who trail Liberia at the top on goals difference while Sudan is stuck at the bottom.

The coach seems to be desperate for a win and could not have relied on any other than his own homeboys most of who are drawn from his Super Cup team, Accra Hearts of Oak. Thirteen of the 23 players invited to camp at Swedru are from Hearts while the remaining 10 are shared among a few other premier clubs. Some of the key players include Africa goalking Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Ishmael Addo, Isaac Owusu, Jacob Nettey and goalkeeper Sammy Adjei.

On the contrary, Nigerian Dutch coach Jo Bonfrer has assembled crack foreign players including former Africa number one Kanu Nwankwo at neighbouring Togo for the do-or-die battle on Sunday.

For a very long time, the Super Eagles have tried to break the myth surrounding their inability to beat the Stars and perhaps this could be their Sunday. But that is not going to be easy.

The Ghana Football Association has sent a spy to Togo to study the Nigerians game plan as they engage the Hawks of Togo in an international friendly on Thursday. But all these notwithstanding, Coach Attuquayefio has one point to proof on Sunday, that he could do without the foreign-based players-but is that possible?