Ghana' s credibility under Claude Le Roy continues to soar with the sunshine, whiles the 4-1 success over the super Eagles of Nigeria in the international friendly has helped push the Frenchman even further into the national chill of approval. But many followers of the team are still skeptical about the attacking prowess of the Stars frontline.
It is not Le Roy ' s fault that we are struggling to identify a top marksman to deliver the goods during the Nations Cup tournament.
With eleven months to go , the search continues as we engage in international friendlies to put a formidable squad together.
Refreshingly the net has been widened for Ghanaian footballers who are playing consistently for their respective European sides to fight for a place in the Stars set -up.
One player who has had his chance to justify his inclusion is former Olympiokos Pireaus star man Peter Ofori Quaye. After almost five years in the wilderness he was given the chance to win his 16th Cap when Ghana played the Soccerroos of Australia in London last November.
By his high standards many fans thought Ofori Quaye' s performance on the night was average and that he failed to utilize his chance .
Now playing for Greek side OFI CRETE who are lying sixth on the league table, Ofori Quaye is unfazed with the level of competition that lies ahead as far as getting a place in Le Roy' s final squad for the CAN 2008 is concerned.
Peter ofori Quaye whose dexterity, pace and unpredictability made him such a devilish opponent is so fired up to fight for his place. " I am glad that I finally got the chance to halt my stay in international exile with the invitation to play against Australia in London last year. It was a massive boost for my confidence after all that I had to go through."
"I was always confident of playing for Ghana again because I have always enjoyed my time with the national team. I know a lot of people completely dismiss my chances of staging a comeback , let alone earning a recall into the Black Stars following the serious nature of the injuries", he said in telephone conversation.
Asked whether he thought he made an impression in the Australia game and how he felt missing out in the friendly against Nigeria, he said he had no hard feelings for not getting the chance to feature in the Nigeria game. I am fully aware of the fact that between now and the CAN 2008, the team is going to engage in an awful lot of friendly matches so it is only natural that the coach gives opportunity to other Ghanaian players.
"Sincerely speaking my performance on the night was by no means a classic one, but after a long absence from the team I was pleased with my overall output since that was the first time I was meeting most of the players."
With two nations Cup appearances under his belt , Ofori Quaye insist there is no better time for Ghanaian footballers to fight for a place in the new Black Stars.
"It is exciting time , the spirit , camaraderie and the determination in the team is unbelievable, I was stunned with the fresh air brewing within the squad when I joined for the Australia game, it is something I have never seen throughout my stint with the various National teams, it is refreshing and that' s the more reason why I am so fired up to work my way into the team, there is a lot of potential in the team and it' s only a matter of time before we annexed silverwares" he reavealed.
With Le Roy still searching for the man who will score on a consistent basis Nottingham Forest Junior Agogo who has scored in each of his last two outings seems to be in the driving seat as the man likely to partner Asamoah Gyan in the attacking line up
"I know it is very important for every leading striker to score but it is all about patience and hard work, I know when I get the chance couple with the right services I will excel , it is vital that I start scoring again for the Black stars , I have done it before and I know I still possess the qualities to perform at that level", he explained.
