Ghana already eyeing 2010 World Cup glory

With four matches to go, Ghana’s Black Stars have already started planning for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and coach Milovan Rajevac is confident nothing would block their quest for a second appearance in the global event.

The Star’s currently have a 100 per cent record in the qualifiers, having won their first two Group D matches against Benin in Accra and Mali in Bamako, but their immediate task is to beat Sudan in the soaring heat of Khartoum today.


"We are really enjoying the climate and hospitality in Kenya and we would certainly come back to prepare for the world cup in South Africa next year," said a confident Rajevac.


The 55-year old Serbian coach who was appointed to the job in August last year, was with the team in Naivasha where they camped for four days before leaving for Khartoum on Thursday.


"We cannot afford to tumble in any of our remaining matches, our target is to finish the qualifying campaign with a 100 per cent record and guarantee our participation in the world cup.


I have a lot of respect for Sudan and we are not going to under rate them on Saturday (today). They have a very talented team and the fact that they will be playing in Khartoum makes them even more dangerous because they even held Mali to a 1-1 draw in March, but we are going for three points," said Rajevac.

If Ghana beats Sudan today, they would have one foot in the World Cup finals as they would have amassed nine points from three matches and remaining with two home matches against Mali and Sudan at the dreaded Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra where they have never been beaten, before facing Benin away.


"I know we are on the driving seat after winning our first two matches especially beating Mali 2-0 in Bamako two weeks ago, but I would not allow that to enter into our players minds.


We are very focused and will be treating each and every of our remaining matches as a final," he said.


Rajevac a former coach of Red Star Belgrade believes that it is time an African team lifted the World Cup trophy.


"Africa football has come of age and produced some of the best players in the world and they are currently dominating most of the European leagues. I think next year, one of the Africa representatives would right history by winning the coveted title," said the Serbian tactician.