Opeele:"There's no excuse to fail in South Africa"

Psychology takes 25% of the game – Phil Scolari (2002 World Cup winner with Brazil)

Black Stars of Ghana must qualify from Group D. We have no excuse!

Ghana Black Stars have quality players that can beat any team on a good day. Losing Michael Essien must be as normal as any casualty that happens to all teams.

It should not be a theory of failure. With the right tactics, we have a big chance to qualify!

TEAM PROBLEMS;

GERMANS:

Group D favorites, Germany, are struggling to make – up for injured ones like Michael Ballack, Christian Traecsch of Stuttgart and number one Goalkeeper Rene Adler.

AUSTRALIANS:

The Australian national team may end up having Tim Cahill as their only big shot.

The Aussies may have Brett Emerton, Mark Bresciano and Mark Schwarzer, but on a good day the Black Stars of Ghana will overcome them with physical strength and good technical skill.

Harry Kewell of Galatasaray is still a major doubt. Their medical staffs are working tooth and nail to get him ready.

Coach Pim Verbeerk looks very disturbing with Harry Kewell’s injury situation. "There are rumors, there are opinions, but Harry will be ready," Verbeek said.

"The medical staff and Harry himself convinced me that Harry will be OK.”We still have five weeks to prepare for the first game against Germany, so don’t worry, Harry will be there." Verbeerk said.

It is a panicking talk!

SERBIANS:

When asked about Ghana? Coach Radomir Antic passed these comments:“We will show what we are made of on the pitch, with all due respect to our opponent. Ghana is the first match and it will be a mentally tough game to play. We will try to predict every detail and leave nothing to improvisation in terms of our tactics, as we want to be original (real). Ghana has fine individuals and some really talented lads that are ready to upset the big guns.”

When asked about his opposite number, Milovan Rajevac, on the Ghana bench, he said: "There is very little room for maneuver or hiding trump cards up ones sleeve. I love to play an open game. It’s not easy to promise a win against Ghana, but we will do everything to get ourselves in a favorable position ahead of the game against Germany."

MATCH PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SERBIANS: June 13, 2010

In the first game, the Serbians will be under pressure to beat Ghana to position themselves well for the German game.

Whilst Ghana will have a second chance against the Australians, we will technically have to play the under-dog role by asking the Serbians to come at us whiles we play on the counter-attack.

The Serbians are in a disadvantage position.

They are under pressure to defeat Ghana; and that is where we have a big chance to beat them! This will suit Milovan Rajevac’s tactics of relying on the counter-attack.

MATCH PSYCHOLOGY OF THE AUSTRALIANS: June 19, 2010

How will the Black Stars feel after a victory over the Serbian before coming face to face with the Aussies? Imagine the Aussies facing Ghana after a defeat to the Germans in their first game? It will give Ghana an added psychological advantage.

MATCH PSYCHOLOGY OF THE GERMANS: June 23, 2010

At this stage we hope that the German-Serbia game played will give us an added advantage.

We hope that the Germans maybe burnt-out and may have a result that will put them under pressure to win; this will help the Black Stars to gain an advantage over their frustration. Hopefully, Coach Milovan Rajevac’s counter attacking game will help us.

GHANA’S MENTALITY:

Playing in our first World Cup on African soil might cause some initial difficulties; but Ghana can hope to be in a better position to have a good tournament.

Our opponents are having their own difficulties that we must utilize. It is a different World Cup in terms of atmosphere because we are playing at home-Africa.

I wouldn't say there will not be any excuses. But with this bigger picture ahead of us, we have no excuses to advance beyond our group!

We have sadly lost Michael Essien, but it is time for each player to fight and defend the Ghana flag. Coach Milovan will surely implement the right tactical scheme;

And surely we have no excuse!

Come on Black Stars!