Has reality dawned on coach Rajevic?

(From William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent in Cabinda, Angola, courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Cabinda, Angola, Jan. 18, GNA - The Black Stars of Ghana are licking their wounds after they were heavily defeated by Cote d'Ivoire in a Group B game of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations at the Estado Nacionale Do Chaizi in Cabinda last Friday.

The 3-1 score line was least expected in an encounter that carried the destiny of the two sides in the competition but not as the game of football continues to be unpredictable and illogical. However a more critical assessment of the game coupled with the view of the head coach Milovan Rajevic gives an indication that, the new look Black Stars have a long way to go so far as this tournament was concern.

Right from the blast of the referees whistle, it was evident that the Ivorians were endowed with the required quality and experience ahead of the relatively young and determined Ghanaian side to carry the day. The midfield trio of Didier Zakora, Yaya Toure and Tiene Siaka assumed firm control of the midfield and the first goal was the outcome of that dominance. It was therefore no surprise when Rajevic stated at the post match press conference that the game was about quality and experience against inexperience which in a way seems to indicate that reality has indeed dawned on the Ghanaian coach after the match.

The Serbian coach will definitely for this reason, have to revise his notes if he is to lead the team to the next stage of the competition by beating Burkina Faso who are also comprise of a strong and experienced players as compared to the present Ghanaian side. Throughout the game, it was evident that the Stars had an uncoordinated defensive set up of Samuel Inkoom, Isaac Vorsah, Eric Addo and Rahim Ayew despite the display of individual brilliance. With the exception of Agyeman Badu who exhibited some amount of maturity and strength in the midfield, his partnership with Moussa Narry did not gel compelling coach Rajevic to consider the early introduction of half fit Michael Essien into the game.

Essien, who started the game from the first minute of the second half made a lot of great difference in the game as he reorganized the midfield and cut supply to the Ivorian attack temporally whilst pushing the team forward. As Didier Drogba said at the post match conference, "even though Essien was not that fit he showed his high quality and brought a lot of pressure on us".

The attack of the Stars did not exist despite the flashes of brilliance and this may probably be attributed to inadequate supply from the midfield or perhaps due to the decision of the coach to put Mathew Amoah on top as the lone striker. Andre Ayew could not find his rhythm in the game and had to pave way for a half fit Asamoah Gyan whilst Opoku Agyeman was just no match for Arsenal star Emmanuel Eboue, who had to take an early shower after a violent tackle on the young Ghanaian. The presence of Gyan though not very fit, brought some bite upfront as he helped to subject the Ivorians to constant pressure but the connection was not there.

As coach Rajevic noted, it was not a very bad performance from his players but it was clear experience was lacking. The coach is therefore relishing the early recovery of Essien and Gyan for the next game against Burkina Faso in Luanda on Tuesday, January 19 and may possibly include the more experienced Haminu Dramani for a better delivery. From the performance of the team, there is no doubt that significant changes will be made to the starting line up and game plan as well in battle of destiny on Tuesday.