Gyan rallies wounded troops for German battle

Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan is no stranger to controversy, sensationalism or sheer emotional euphoria. He is used to the hype; good or bad and he is one player you cannot ignore on or off the pitch.

The pin-up boy of Ghana football has matured from an exciting, raw, fearless teenage talent to an assured leader and captain of his national team over a period spanning ten years.

Today, ''Baby Jet'' as he is fondly called by fans in Ghana, is leading the art of mental toughness that he seems to have mastered over time and telling his team mates ''Yes we can'' beat Germany.

Even before stepping onto the Fortaleza turf here at the Castelão Arena, the Black Stars must first conquer the fear of failure against Germany and who better than Gyan to lead the way.

''We are down yes, but we are not out. I have been down this road before and I know we can still make it but it won't be easy'' Those were the measured comments of a man who knows that he can and probably will be the torch to light up the city known as “The Land of Light” especially against the backdrop of recent disturbing media reports of ''anarchy'' in Ghana's camp.

There is a general belief held by most people that there is no smoke without fire and water that seeps out from the ground always has a source deep down. So talk of dis-unity, players revolt and acrimony over appearance fees in Ghana's camp must be very worrying.

For the 25 million citizens back home in Africa and also those following the team passionately around the world, this is bad news. But are these reports that have surfaced from a couple of ''sources'' genuine?

Is the Ghana team really divided? Not that I can see or smell from such close quarters. Obviously the code of conduct regarding what happens in the dressing room ''stays in the dressing room'' must not be ignored.

However, it is unlikely that players and officials can conceal such a big crisis within the team no matter how hard they try. The obvious truth is that the players are hurt after losing a game hey could easily have won.

But then the coaches, team managers and supporters are also hurt by the 2-1 defeat. It is normal and thankfully all stake holders appear to have gotten over the setback.

That is why the Ghana FA here at the World Cup have not entirely dismissed the possibility of sanctions and even legal action against those they feel are executing acts of ''sabotage and treason'' against team and country.

For now, the team administrators led by the effervescent President Kwesi Nyantakyi simply do not have the time nor patience to dwell on these distractions.

Coach Kwasi Appiah must find an antidote to stop the free scoring Europeans and also pump belief into his players that they can turn the tables on one of the tournaments favourites.

He may take solace in the fact that he still has a chance to advance in this all too unpredictable World Cup. It is an opportunity that will come and go in just 90 minutes.