Ghana’s WC group a blessing in disguise?

I have been contemplating on the World Cup draw last Friday in one of Africa’s mist beautiful city of Cape Town and I have been wondering what the implications of the draw will be for our beloved Ghana.

As sat and watched the draw, I was hoping we drew teams that won’t give us much headache in terms of qualifying for the next round is worth mentioning that there are no longer minnows in world football. Before the draw people had done their analysis as to what team they wanted Ghana to be drawn with even coach Milo said he never wanted to draw the likes of Brazil and his native Serbia. To be honest I wanted us to play the best teams like Brazil, England and others in the group stages. We have a great team especially in midfield where our strength is with star players like Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, Kojo Asamoah and with the pending inclusion of Prince Boateng and may be Mario Balotelli we will become one of the feared sides in the World cup.

After the draw I reflected over the teams we will be playing against in the first round and I concluded by saying this is one of the best groups we could bargain for considering the group of Ivory Coast.

The ‘German machine’

A lot of people have their own opinions about Germany considering the ‘Bochum disaster’ when Germany beat us 6-1. I think they are a very good team tactically. They have height, strength, experience and are very good with set pieces but I think they are an aging side which means Ghana can still match them well in the middle of the park with our strength in midfield and I hope to catch on the counter. Certainly on paper this will be the most difficult game Ghana will have to play in the group stages but am confident we will over-power the old German machine.

The Socceroos

I was at the Loftus Park when Ghana played Australia back in 2006. I think we should have won that game had we not missed a couple of chances. They are a good team but Ghana can beat them on the day. I think their key players in the 2006 World cup like Lucas Neil, Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Aloisi to mention a few are not really firing at present which can be to our advantage if they don’t revive their form before June 2010.

Milo’s Serbia

Serbia is a great team. They had automatic qualification from the group which had France as favourite during their WC qualifiers which meant teams like France and Rep. of Ireland had to settle for a play-off. They have the likes of Vidic, Ivanovic and Kezman. I still think we have much depth and width in midfield compared to this current Serbian team. Contrary to public opinion in Ghana that Milo will favour the Serbs over Ghana, I am confident that coach Milo being Serbian will have a great knowledge of the Serbian team, the technical and tactical abilities amongst others than many non Serbian coaches will do. Serbian football is a strong emerging force in the world of soccer which has taken a lot a top European coaches and pundits by surprise. However with Milo at the helm of affairs we can win the mind games and hopefully the match itself. I am sure he will put his job first and nation second on the day because that is where his bread and butter lies. He will certainly like to prove a point to the world, the Serbs and Ghanaians that he is a great coach and committed a professional. Who knows? He might even be eyeing the job as future Serbian national team coach hence will have a point or two to make to his home country. His heart will be with Serbia but his head will be with Ghana.

In conclusion, let me say I think this draw is a blessing in disguise for Ghana. Let us desist from asking that the coach should be sacked because he will try to play a team or tactics that will favour his native Serbia. Come on Ghana the let’s show the world what we can do.

Kweku Objective.

(This writer is always asking intuitive questions that will aid national development. My objective is to see a ‘corruption free’ Ghana where people are given equal opportunities to excel irrespective of their tribe, colour, creed, religion, gender or age. Join Kweku Objective on this crusade) God Bless you! Contacts: Email: dr.objective@yahoo.co.uk Facebook: Kweku Objective