Ghana?s World Cup squad predictor

- Dujkovic?s likely 23

Coach Ratomir Dujkovic is expected to name the 23-man Black Stars squad on Friday; the line-up that will make Ghana?s debut appearance at the World Cup,76 years into the inception of the superb global football showpiece event. Officially, the 58-year old Serb has the prerogative to decide but I, with the aid of the real technical issues on the ground, can only agree on the following:

Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel), George Owu (AshantiGold), Richard Kingston.

Defenders: Daniel Quaye(Hearts of Oak), Issah Ahmed(Randers FC,Denmark) , Aziz Ansah (Asante Kotoko), Samuel Osei Kuffour (Roma, Italy), Emmanuel Pappoe (Hapoel Kfar Sava, Israel), John Painstil (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), John Mensah (Stade Rennais FC , France) , Hans Adu Sarpei(VfL Wolfsburg, Germany).

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache, Turkey), Baba Adamu (Krylya Sovietov Samara, Russia), Haminu Dramani (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro), Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese,Italy), Michael Essien(Chelsea,England),Otto Addo( Mainz, Germany),Derek Boateng( AIK,Sweden).

Forwards: Matthew Amoah (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Isaac Boakye(Armenia Bilifield,Germany),Patrick Agyeman(Preston North End,England), Asamoah Gyan (Modena,Italy) and, Ibrahim Salou (Zulte-Waregem, BEL)

THE ARGUMENT

GOALKEEPERS:

While Richard Kingston and George Owu have both not had truly convincing and consistent in-forms for seasons now, Sammy Adjei has consistently, since 1999 when he stood well in goal for the Black Satellites, being superb in the national colors. The 2004 and 2006 African Nations Cups saw him emerge an agile man in goal and there shouldn?t be absolutely any threat to his number one status. Philemon McCarthy of Feyenoord Academy, the other only true option, was the best local goalkeeper award recipient for the past season but, he needs time to mature. Kingston and Owu, thus are better options for the reserve.

MIDFIELDERS:

Ghana?s game traditionally has been concentrated here so the success or otherwise of the Stars? campaign is depended upon who plays in midfield. Skipper Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari and Otto Addo are certainties because they are all in the midst of the best midfielders in the world today. Baba Adamu hasn?t had convincing club proof but with the few games for the stars couple with his awe-inspiring form on the ball and dribbling skill, makes him valid for the squad ticket. Haminu Dramani, according many is not good enough but I disagree because he looks good on the ball, is the type that can dismantle defense to create confusing and is matured enough. Derek Boateng was a star at the Under-20 level and is reportedly commanding huge reverence in Sweden for his pace, goal scoring and tactical organizing ability. Laryea Kingston of course would have been a sure for the squad but he is suspended, while it remains utterly clear that Eric Addo, Dong Bortey and Yusif Chibsah are not in the best of forms now to merit World Cup berths ahead of the names I have picked.

DEFENDERS:

One big headache for Dujkovic is centered on the left and right full-back positions. Emmanuel Pappoe and John Painstil have proven to be good but they are slow in recovering. Daniel Quaye , Aziz Ansah and Issah Ahmed are running on well whilst returnee Samuel Osei Kuffour, John Mensah and Hans Adu Sarpei are simply the best materials we have in their part of the defensive area.

FORWARDS:

The bane of Ghana?s failure in most competition has been its inability to score goals. Matthew Amoah , Isaac Boakye and Asamoah Gyan are unarguably the best materials we have upfront. The better on the list of optional resorts, I?m convinced is headed jointly by 26-year-old Ibrahim Salou who has scored 14 goals for Zulte-Waregem in Belgium and Patrick Agyeman. Louis Agyemang has scored nine goals so far this season for Kaiser Chiefs of South Africa but his exploits at the last Nations Cup were not convincing enough. Lloyd Owusu would have been a pick at the expense of Patrick Agyeman but the unfortunate injury he sustained against Stuttgart ruled him out.

DUJKOVIC?S LIKELY 1X PICK

Sammy Adjei , Samuel Osei Kuffour, Emmanuel Pappoe, John Painstil,John Mensah, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Ali Muntari, Michael Essien and Otto Addo. The rest could include Matthew Amoah and Isaac Boakye.

DUJKOVIC?S LIKELY SYSTEM FORMAT

VRS Italy - 1:4:4:2

VRS Czech Republic - 1:5:3:2

VRS United States - 1:4:4:2