It's Meteor's Turn To Deliver

ONE of the continent?s ferocious moments in football is expected to be staged in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, today as Ghana seeks to put off the Ivorian flame in the international game.

The nation?s Under-23 representation, Black Meteors, are in the Land of the Elephants, searching for the result that will put them in good stead for qualification to the 2007 All Africa Games in Algeria.

When the two arch rivals clashed in the first leg, the Ghanaians put on exhibition some composed football to deflate the Young Elephants 2-0 ? a scoreline that could have been bigger had the home team showed enough self-belief in front of goal.

All the same, the two spectacular goals produced by Nafia Iddrisu and skipper Michael Helegbe should just be enough to serve the much-needed booster to complete the hurdle.

Reports monitored from Cote d?Ivoire indicate that the Ivorian FA is creaking under immense pressure to flush out the Meteors after having seen their Under-17 side (Baby Elephants) bludgeoned out by the Black Starlets from this year?s youth championship in Togo. That is why the fear of Ghanaians is steeped in biased officiating.

However, celebrated coach of the Meteors, Jones Attuquayefio, told the Spectator Sports before his team?s departure: "We are aware of the enormity of task that lies ahead of us and we are fully loaded for the bear."

"I guess we are all-too ready for the challenge. We know the ropes in Abidjan and hope to return with flying colours", assured the continent?s best technical brain for 2000.

Skipper of the team, Michael Helegbe, who is linked to a French move, is expected to strike a prolific partnership with Alex Asamoah, while full-house defenders ? Charles Vardis and Isaac Vorsah will be called upon to smoulder the Ivorian fire-power.

It looks good for the Meteors ? but they must behave like the rattle-snake ? always looking for the least opportunity to spit venom.