CAN 2008 ? Fans in the US very optimistic

All is now set for the quarter final showdown between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday (February 3rd) at the ongoing 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations. The next opponent of the Black Stars was only confirmed after the last group B matches were honored where the Elephants of La Cote D?Ivoire spanked the Eagles of Mali by 3-0, and the Super Eagles dismissed the bluff of the Squirrels of Benin on a 2-0 margin. Most fans that the compilers of this piece interviewed expressed varied views of the Blacks Stars meeting the Super Eagles of Nigeria. While some have described the meeting as going to renew old rivalry between the two West African soccer giants others see it as a cagey encounter which could go either way. But then Ghanaian fans who belong to the ?Optimistic Fan Club? see this match as a sure victory for Ghana and have expressed their view that this is a sure way for the Black Stars to move unto the semi-final berth of the tournament on a silver platter. Below are some of the views of fans in the US.

Adolf Armah (Chicago-Illinois), a former Black Stars player and also of Accra Hearts of Oak fame, said that he is so excited that the Black Stars have made it to this stage of the tournament, and he is hopefully that the Stars will lift the trophy come February 10th. Answering a question on our quarter final opponents- the Super Eagles, Adolf Armah said ?this is a renewal of rivalry between the two nations, but Ghana is at a stage and moving at a pace where no team can apply breaks to her forward match course?. He concluded by saying with dedication, devotion and sacrifice on the part of the boys, victory will crown the efforts of the Black Stars.

George Kwame Awuku (Lafayette ?Colorado), George, a social commentator said with the victory of the Black Stars over the Moroccans, the Black Stars should not become complacent especially against the backdrop that the Stars in a friendly encounter defeated the Super Eagles in London by 4-1 margin last year. He has therefore asked that the Stars should stay focused and deliver what all Ghanaians are expecting of the team by teaching the Nigerians a lesson, in absence of that he cannot see how Ghanaians will see themselves elbowed out of the competition by The Super Eagles.

Nana Ohemeng Adjei, aka Obolobo (Framingham-MA),said this quarter final encounter between the Black Stars and the Super Eagles at the CAN 2008 reminds him of the 11th African Cup of Nations in 1978 which was held in Ghana. He added ?in spite of the Nigerians parading a galaxy of stars like Christian Chuku, Mathematical Odegbamey, and Okalla etc? The Black Stars under the captainship of Awuley Quaye, and the likes of Abdul Razak, Ofei Ansah, Opoku Afriyie, Kwasi Owusu? were able to contain the Nigerians and went on to lift the trophy?. So under this current situation, Nana Ohemeng believes history is going to repeat itself, for the Black Stars will triumph once again come Sunday.

Joseph Kofi Agyenim-Boateng, a student (Akron-Ohio), said ?The nature of the opposition that the Black Stars meet determines the level of play of the team?. Kofi believes there are some deadly players in the Nigerian squad like Taiwo Taiwo, Mikel Obi, and Yakubu Ayegbeni etc ? who could cause havoc so the Stars should be cautious of them. He summed up by saying that the technical team should strengthen the full backs of the Black Stars to avert any disaster. All the same he is hopeful of the Stars making it to the next stage.

Leonard Moffat (New Jersey), a former goalkeeper of the Black Stars and Accra Hearts of Oak stated, ?Ghanaian soccer fans should be patient with the players as things will improve for the Black Stars as the tournament goes on?. He added that has been the tradition of Ghana?s national teams in every soccer tournament. He acknowledged that things did not go well with the Stars performance match against Namibia but the next against Morocco saw an improved side. He therefore added that the fans should ceaselessly cheer the Stars in all games from the beginning to the end.

Ebenezer Ofori Anim alias Shamo(Connecticut), a former sports presenter at Fox and Hello FM, all radio stations based in Kumasi. Ebenezer main thrust is on the technical lapse that he has identified with the Black Stars. He stated that the engine of the team is the midfield, and should the midfield be crippled by our opponents that will spell the doom of the team. He has therefore called on the technical handlers to help improve upon the shooting abilities of our strikers like Asamoah Gyan, Junior Agogo. Ebenezer thinks some of the Stars players are too stylish in the vital area of our opponents as if they are engaged in an exhibition game, he described this attitude as heart breaking and uninspiring when fans are yearning for goals.

Seth Osei Bonsu a.k.a Tee (Denver-Colorado) asked the fans that will troop to the sports stadium to support the Black Stars should sing, clap, and dance till the last blast of the referee. To him this unflinching support base will urge the Black Stars to also shine and win all their matches.

James Atteen, (Atlanta-Georgia), said with the qualification of the Stars to the quarter final stage of the tourney, Ghanaians should be rest assured that the Black Stars will work hard to lift the cup to crown their effort. He asked that the team should vary its attack by using the flanks as well, instead of launching all attacks from the middle.

David Gyamfi (Massachusetts) said he is so far impressed with the performance of the Black Stars and that their steady progress will see the team winning the ultimate on February 10. He doffed his hat for Junior Agogo and Quincy Abeyie for their output in the group matches played by Ghana. He said the team spirit should be kept burning in all matches.

Nana Kwaku Adjei Yeboah (Hartford, Connecticut), the First Vice Chairman of The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the US, has asked that all Ghanaians should give the necessary support to the Black Stars by showing signs of unity amongst all so that the boys will see the nature of support that they have, this to him will urge them to die a little for mother Ghana to overcome all oppositions. He added ?Although during a certain stage of the tourney the performance of the Black Stars was not impressive, we should rather give them the needed support, pray for them and should stop using abusive language and threats during phone-ins organized by radio stations?. Nana Yeboah has also challenged the technical bench to give pep talks to some of the boys especially Dede Ayew, that he should not over indulged in dribbling in and around the vital area of our opponents?. Sammy Adjei, a former skipper of the Black Meteors squad of Barcelona 92 Olympic Games and Obuasi Goldfields Sporting Club cannot be left out of fans that have been monitoring and have expressed their candid views of the performance of the Black Stars. He was so excited that the Stars have made it to the quarter final stage of the CAN 2008. In his view it was better not to have met The Elephants of La Cote D?Ivoire at this stage of the tournament, as the Elephants have exhibited ample evidence that they have a perfect squad that plays with the much desired team cohesion, good individual players and technically ahead of all teams in the ongoing tournament. Sammy Adjei commenting on the performance of the Black Stars from his base in New Jersey, said ?Ghana in our game against Nigeria the players should go in for all the 50-50 balls, match them boot for boot?. He also offered some technical suggestion, ?Dramani should be made to start the game, Essien should man the midfield to control affairs from there and that the coach should permit Sulley Muntari to have a free role to play during the course of the game?.