It's make or break for Stars

The Black Stars of Ghana would on Sunday engage in a make or break game against the Cranes of Uganda in a nations cup qualifier at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

The assignment is a daunting task for the Stars, considering the poor performance of the team in some friendly matches and two invitational tournaments. The dismal performance of the Stars has led to a psychological boost for their opponents as was reported by the Ugandan press.

However, the team would be banking its hopes on the large army of foreign-based players who have arrived for the match but did not play in the failed matches.

Coach Ziese, at the moment, has the likes Samuel Kufuor, Kofi Amponsah, Yakubu Abubakari, Lawrence Aidoo, Micheal Essien, Stephen Appiah, Charles Amoah, Daniel Edusei and John Painstil all set for the match on Sunday with support from locally based players like Joe Hendricks, Micheal Asante, Bernard Don Bortey, Daniel Coleman, William Teirro and Addoquaye Pappoe to form a formidable squad against the Cranes.

Apart from the match being a decider for the Stars' continued stay in contention for Tunisia 2004, the coach is now faced with his first major international assignment to prove his worth to Ghanaians as the man to take the nation back to its past glory.

Being credited with qualifying the nation for the Senegal 1992 Nations Cup after which he was booted out, Coach Ziese would now seek to redeem his image as well as that of the nation's on Sunday by picking the needed three points at stake to enhance his chances of making another history for the nation.

Aside these, the determination of the players in camp at the moment would go a long way in helping the team to win, judging from the pronouncements of key players like skipper Stephen Appiah, leading striker Baffour Gyan. Others who have expressed optimism about their chances include John Paintstil, Lukeman Imoro, and Kofi Ampnsah.

On the other hand the coach cannot ignore the ability of the local boys to perform since over the past years, they have stood the test of time. The home based players made a serious case for themselves again on Wednesday in the Star's last friendly match against Kumasi Asante Kotoko that ended in a one all draw as William Tierro scored from a Bortey pass.

The Ugandans cannot be underrated, having beaten the Stars in the first leg by a lone goal in Kampala last year. Reports from Uganda indicate that they are bent on snatching the needed points at stake to book their qualification to the tournament after so many years of absence.

The Ugandan coach would rely on the services of Posnet Omwony in post with Bana Zidane combining with Livingston Mbazi in midfield while Ekutchu Kasongo and Hassan Mubiru would lead the front liners to achieve their dream.

The Ghanaian coach would likely play Abubakari Kankani in post, with Amponsah, Yakubi, Hendricks, Imoro, and Coleman in defence to stop any threat from the Ugandans.

While the combination of Essien, Appiah and Painstil in midfield would ensure the regular supply of balls to the likes of Aidoo, Amoah, Bortey and Tiero upfront to plant in the goals.

The team would also draw much strength from the cheers of the home fans as Kumasi supporters are noted for their unrelenting support for our national teams.