Since Ghana won the friendly against Jamaica and Korea there wind of optimism has been blowing across the people of Ghana. Suddenly we all think we can actually win the world cup or at least make a significant impact. I beg to differ, my expectations haven?t changed one bit. I believe that the only wins we'll get this year will be the ones already played against Jamaica and Korea. I may be deemed a pessimist but i would like to think that i am a realist.
Here are my reasons:
Italy
We are playing Italy in our first match. The three time world champions and two times runner-up at the world cup, they have the experience, good technique and exceptional defensive skills ? they are called the ?specialists of clean sheets?.They certainly know how to handle teams like Ghana. Infact they?ve said they wouldn?t want to peak in the first round. They have their minds on the semifinal!! Gyan and Amoah are not exactly Tierry Henry are they? So where is the goal going to come from, given the fact that Italy just don?t let goals in. They have arguably the world?s best goal keeper (in Buffon) and the most feared defence in the tournament. They have Del Pierro and Luca Toni who is the most prolific goal scorer in Italy at the moment. I haven?t even mentioned Totti!!
Now fellas, note the names I have mentioned!! Keep them in memory for Monday.
Czech Republic
Czech republic ranked number 2 in the world, are fearsome and exceptionally gifted, they can shoot from everywhere and anywhere, they can run the whole day. Did you see their 3:0 destruction of Trinidad and Tobago? One would say that T&T are no footballing nation and rightly so, but that?s not my point. My point is simply this; Did you also see the goal that beat Sammy Adjei during the Korea match? How about the goal that beat him during the Jamaica match? And I?ll give you another another one, the goal that beat him during the Ghana-Nigeria match? Ahhh, Expect ten of those per minute in the match with the Czechs. Has anybody heard of Jan Koller? A giant of a striker, this guy will make Kuffour work the whole 90 mins. How about Baros, the guy with the pace of a squirrel who can shoot crisply from any angle. And the the almighty Nedved who needs no introduction as I am assuming you all watch European football. And finally Smicer and the old horse Pobosky. Please remember these names, for they will be familiar to you after the match. Remember also that the Czechs have arguably the safest goal keeper in the world at the moment?..his name is Petr Cech - He is so good they named the country after him.
The USA
Against the USA we may have a 50:50 chance of drawing but by then we would have lost 2 games and will be playing purely on the back of national pride. Yet I cannot see us winning that match either. USA, the most underrated team in that group is ranked 5 in the world by the way. They will certainly not be pushovers at all. I cannot envisage Ghana beating the USA and if one has the fear of God in him, they wouldn?t bank on Ghana winning that match. In order to win, we should score goals and Ghana hasn?t no goal scorers. Our midfield have provided the goals all along but at the worldcup they will be so busy they would need a goal scorer to help out. A luxury Ghana doesn?t have.
Remember our Achilles heal ? Free kicks and set pieces. The Italians are expects and the Czechs are also very good (Nedved). How about defending against corner kicks?
I am still weary about Sammy's slippery hands. Nigel Robinson (England Goal keeper) has confirmed what we knew already, that the worldcup balls are not goalkeeper friendly as they are very slippery and difficult to grip unto especially in wet weather!!!!
I know for sure Gyan and Amoah wont score the goals as they would be pushed and shoved aside by more experienced defenders like the Italians. They couldn?t even score against a tired Jamaica. Gyan managed only a penalty against Korea!!!!
Like Nigeria?s last appearance at the world cup, I cannot see Ghana getting past the group stages even if we play well. I simply cannot envisage Ghana winning a match. We cannot be compared to countries like Turkey, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Senegal etc who actually pulled surprises. They all were the most in form teams before the world cup when they made their appearance. We are not!!!! The only wins this year is against Saudi, Jamaica and Korea ?apart from Korea, nothing good can be said about the rest.
Our win against Korea has made us so optimistic (typical of Ghanaian football fans) that we think we can even win the world cup. I think we need to be realistic!!!
Because of our good midfield, we may not concede a lot of goals like Saudi Arabia did at the last world cup but we certainly will not win a game. That?s for sure.
I am so sure that even the Ghanaian coach (Duya) doesn?t believe Ghana will get past the first round? Why do you think he didn?t include Kingston Laryea in the squad? It was simply going to be a waste of time and he knows it. There is no way we will get past the group stages. So friends and countrymen, hold unto your hard earned cash and do not for heavens sake, gamble on Ghana winning a match or getting past the first round - your wives and kids, if you have any would never forgive you!
Let?s not expect too much, and like the Soca warriors of Trinidad and Tobago, lets make up our minds that we are going there to make the long awaited appearance and be part of this world cup. Let?s enjoy the world cup party whatever happens!
We have done well by getting this far but I am afraid this is where the carnival will end. Enjoy the atmosphere and be happy regardless but don?t expect miracles.
