Feature: Ghana's footballing hopes for 2011

Published on: 19 January 2011

By: www.mtnfootball.com

Ghana football is full of hope as we enter 2011 with many ambitious plans not only for the local federation, but also for some clubs and individuals too as well.

Great things happened to the country’s game in 2010 with the Black Stars being the only African side to reach the quarterfinal of the first World Cup to be held on the continent.

With the youthful side, the country was able to reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations last year and that has given fans the hopes that if the team is able to build on its performance, the Black Stars can win the Africa Cup of Nations in the near future and be real title contenders at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The only glitch was that Milovan Rajevac opted not to extend his expired contract which left the Black Stars searching for an inspirer for the future.

The Ghana FA (GFA), not keen to gamble, employed his Serbian compatriot Goran Stevanovic to replace him just at the start of 2011. Now the ex-Partizan Belgrade boss is expected to build on what ‘Milo’ did, continuously evolve the squad based on current form and maintain the discipline.

Stevanovic has stated that he wants Sulley Muntari back in the squad and there’s no doubt that the Inter Milan player is talented but his disruptiveness could wreck the unity in the camp unless he manages him well. If he threatens the peace he must be promptly shown the door.

With the history of how captaincy problems damaged the Black Stars in the past, John Mensah must be confirmed as the captain since Stephen Appiah decided to retire from the national team. If you read Mensah’s personal website he still refers to himself as the deputy captain. In Appiah’s absence Mensah has proven to be capable and competent of handling all the conflicting interests in the team so this year he must be confirmed.

Michael Essien has so far been evasive on his return to the Black Stars after he asked for some time out. He has been given enough time – now he must return to boss the midfield to help the Black Stars qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Apart from the Black Stars, the Under-20 world champions have qualified for the Africa Youth Championship in Libya. The Black Satellites have a strong team to win the tournament again with the likes of Jordan Ayew, Richmond Boakye Yiadom and Mahatma Otoo in the squad. They can conquer Africa and go on to retain the world title but it won’t be an easy ride.

Coach Orlando Wellington must not only consider the players in the current squad, but there are others on the periphery like Abdul Basit of Berekum Chelsea and others who can still make the team. Most of the players who helped Ghana to win the Under-20 World Cup two years ago are part of the Under-23 side bidding to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

With Andre Ayew as captain and several others like Jonathan Mensah, Samuel Inkoom and Dominic Adiyiah gaining experience at the World Cup, the Black Meteors are Africa’s best bet to qualify and go for gold at the competition in London.

Ghana was second at the maiden CHAN tournament and next month the local Black Stars have got the chance to win the tournament in Sudan even though holders DR Congo are still a threat.

On the club front, we expect a new name on the league title as Berekum Chelsea have dominated the competition so far. It is healthy for the country’s league itself because the Hearts-Kotoko duopoly was only sustaining interest in Accra and Kumasi.

But with Aduana winning last year, other teams like Chelsea, New Edubiase and Medeama Sporting Club can all challenge for the title and spread the interest across the country. But the current state of Kotoko and Hearts is pathetic, especially for the Accra giants who will celebrate their 100th anniversary.

They must fight not to be relegated in their centenary year and must put in place credible structures to revive the side by the time next season stars when they turn 100 on 11th November 2011. All the lavish plans to celebrate their 100th birthday would mean nothing if they are not impressive by the start of next season in September.

Hearts must forget getting anything from this season. Thanks to MTN the Ghana FA Cup returned after a nine-year hiatus and this year football will engulf the entire country and attract fans who have hitherto concentrated on the foreign league.

The clubs in the lower divisions like Danbort FC and Pure Joy who have the opportunity to play against the weak giants Kotoko and Hearts respectively must take chances.

Shocks in the MTN Ghana FA Cup will ignite interest not only in the league but also in the lower division competitions. The media has a role to play and an effective coverage of the competition means that the interest in local matches will return as the foreign leagues have taken over.

Asamoah Gyan, who was second at the African Player of the Year award ceremony for 2010, has got another chance with the way he started this year with Sunderland.

While there are many things Ghana football will forward to, the cooperation between government the federation is something that must be enhanced. The tense relationship between the GFA and government hit its lowest point last year and nearly led to an international ban by Fifa.

President John Atta Mills stated clearly in his ‘Year of Action’ address that he has not sanctioned moves by some government operatives to unseat the current GFA board led by Kwesi Nyantakyi and that is a good start.

The GFA must also respond in a similar faith by courting government for peace to prevail in the running of the game, at a time that stability and good leadership has taken Ghana football to unprecedented heights.

Source: http://africanfootball.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=38663

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