The Black Stars

Bafana, Bafana. By that, I mean The Boys, The Boys of the Black Stars (sorry South Africa). I was never more proud of The Black Stars: this coming from someone who is always so very proud of our boys. Yes, I have room to be even more proud and I believe our boys will get me there. Amen anyone? No one asked me but if the good folks at Ghanaweb will allow me, I will like to put my two cents in; to help our boys get me “there.”

As I have watched the 2010 World Cup and past games, I have come to believe that the teams who are disciplined and make accurate passes often do well. The Black Stars have achieved such discipline and have improved tremendously in the accuracy of their passes since the last World Cup. There is only one thing that we lack. If we can improve in this area, we will be on a path to possibly bringing the cup home. We have to have the hunger for winning.

Nothing demonstrates how motivating the hunger for winning more than USA’s climb from a 0-2 down at half time to not only a 2-2 draw, but to a controversial winning goal that was not allowed. If we develop the hunger for a win and concentrate on winning, I believe it will happen. At this time, it is very critical that we win.

Yesterday we were in a pretty good place. Germany’s loss to Serbia today dampened our chances and made it very critical for us to win against Australia. A draw is not an option if we want to go on to the group of 16. If we draw with Australia, then it becomes a crap shoot which teams move on to the next round. Everything will depend on each team winning their final game. Do we want to be in a position where our moving forward depends on beating Germany? This is a feat that until today, many would have thought is a tall order. I still think it is a tall order. We have to bank everything on beating Australia. If we beat Germany, which we can do, it will be the icing on the cake.

On the other hand, Australia will be eager to redeem themselves after their loss to German: thus their hunger to win. Nothing will motivate them more than the prospect of losing to an African country. They will fight for this one. We have to be more hungry than they are.

I have faith in the boys. We have what it takes. So boys, go out and do me proud. Do your country proud. Do Africa proud. From South Africa to Algeria: DO US PROUD. Bafana, Bafana

Tony Pobee-Mensah