Ghana's Black Stars will be proud to commence the AFCON 2012 with a leap to the 26th on the FIFA world ranking.
Xfm 95.1 hit the street to sample views of soccer loving fans on how the new ranking would affect the Stars in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea, where the 28th edition of Africa's most glamorous tournament would be held.
On the Oxford Street, Osu, soccer fans conceived the new FIFA ranking would be an advantage for the national team. ³If the whole world, Ghana is placed 26th and Africa 2nd, that will be a plus for the team to bring the cup, we the fans are fully behind the team², a soccer fan stated.
Some also do believe the new ranking wouldn¹t change anything and made reference to 2006 world cup when Ghana beat Czech Republic who was then ranked 2nd in the world on the FIFA world ranking.
Kweku, a football fanatic told Xfm's sports team ³the new ranking would ginger the player and if possible Ghana would emerge victors, I pray Ghana win this year¹s tournament²
With high feelings, soccer fans expressed that there shouldn¹t be any complacency in camp because the team is ranked 2nd in Africa and 26th in the world but rather, the players should concentrate on the game and shouldn¹t let the rankings ³eat into their head². Almost all soccer fans Xfm sports team spoke to said Ghanaians should rally behind the stars with prayers.
Ghana, before the new ranking was the 29th on the FIFA log and 3rd in Africa. The Black Stars are now second Africa¹s best whiles Ivory Coast sits on top as Africa¹s best. Algeria and Egypt follows 3rd and 4th respectively.
The stars will be gunning for their 5th AFCON cup which is to be co-hosted by Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.
Xfm 95.1/ Accra/ Ghana