Ghana ready for Egyptian Test

A passionate, tactical to the latter, relentless and resilient when the chips seem falling Ghanaian team against a very obstinate side at the back, nippy on the counter-attack and such splendor to watch in full elements Egyptian side. We all have seen Egypt's matches in the past 6 years and frankly, they are dominating the continent due to their stylish playing style and some outstanding key players like legendary Ahmed Hassan, Mohammed Zidan and Mohamed Aboutrika who is not present in Angola-2010 due to injury. It's a query they are unlucky in World Cup appearences. The Egyptian team has received some flake as they consistently builds up the fans' hopes by overcoming crazy odds, only to break down in the last match. It happened in the last Confederations Cup in Egyptand again in the World Cup Qualifiers against Algeria in Omdurman, Sudan.

This is no time to get another hands on the trophy. Lets go, Ghana!


If there is an inspirational story to come out of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, it has to be the emergence of a youthful and tenacious Ghana side, whose performances in Angola have won hearts and sent warnings through the continent that the Black Satellites have become fully fledged Black Stars.

Riddled by injury in the run-up to the tournament, coach Milovan Rajevac and his team have since had to deal with losing inspirational midfielder Michael Essien after he made a brief appearance at the biennial event. As a solution, the Serb-born coach has turned to a nucleus of players from the Satellites that made history by winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt three months ago. Though they still have their highest mountain to climb on Sunday when they meet clinical and enterprising continental champions Egypt in the final, Ghana have already achieved more than anyone expected.

Holding their nerve
While nobody is too surprised that the Egyptians are playing for their third consecutive CAN, the young Ghanaians started the tournament as outsiders compared to the likes of Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire. They had a shaky start - the Ivorians brushed them aside 3-1 in their opener - but the team showed remarkable confidence in winning their next three matches by the score of 1-0. And all were impressive.

Shrugging off the defeat to the Elephants, they beat Burkina Faso to advance from Group B when a draw would have seen them eliminated. And their two knockout wins, over Angola in front of a demanding home crowd and against their more experienced regional rivals Nigeria, proved them to be remarkably solid at the back and determined all around. Irrespective of the results at the 11 November Stadium in Luanda on Sunday, Ghana will have achieved much in reaching their eighth Cup of Nations final, though clearly the Black Stars have proven that they are capable of grinding out a result.
We have been enjoying ourselves and our football. I think we have done very well in this tournament. Most of the guys are hungry. They were presented with an opportunity and they grabbed it.
Ghana's Andre Ayew

They're playing with a level of confidence that the players are clearly enjoying. It has been apparent in the play of both veterans like Asamoah Gyan, scorer of three of Ghana’s four goals, and goalkeeping stalwart Richard Kingson, as well as the younger players like Andre Ayew, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and Agyemang Opoku.

Ayew, the son of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele (who was part of Ghana's last Nations Cup-winning squad in 1982), was one of the success stories at the U-20 World Cup, and he scored the winning goal against Burkina Faso. He says the team spirit couldn’t be higher. “We have been enjoying ourselves and our football. I think we have done very well in this tournament. Most of the guys are hungry. They were presented with an opportunity and they grabbed it,” he explained to FIFA.com.

Making Ghana proud
After losing players like Essien, John Mensah, Laryea Kingston, Stephen Appiah and others, Rajevac plugged the holes in his backline with Inkoom, Addy and 21-year-old Issac Vorsah, and they have been mostly cool under pressure. The rapid maturation of the youngsters has repaid the faith of the coach, and in return the boss will have a more mature squad when they are called to duty at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa this summer.

“One must give credit to these boys, they have done well,” said the coach after the 1-0 semi-final win over Nigeria. “They have exceeded all expectations. This is a young team. They were at this tournament to learn, and I think most of them have emerged better players. This has given them priceless exposure to international football and the demands of competing in big tournaments.”

Black Stars keeper, 31-year-old Richard Kingson, is one of the senior members of the team, and he also heaped praise on his young team-mates. “When the tournament started, most of the guys were a bit nervous, and that is expected when you have a young team. But they have adjusted and adapted well. From time to time, I have to shout some instructions because they are young and nerves might have the better of them. But they have made Ghana proud.”

They will try make Ghana even happier against an equally confident Egyptian team fresh off a 4-0 beating of Algeria in the semi-finals. The North Africans are trying to extend their 18-match unbeaten streak in the Cup of Nations and also win their seventh continental trophy.

FIFA

Ghana vs Nigeria- Angola 2010 Preview

Luanda, Thursday, 4pm. The Black Stars face perennial rivals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Forget history! It's a clash of teams who like to rip into each other, which means current form is likely to be the discriminator. Ghana presents an exciting young squad orchestrated by a crafty Serbian. Nigeria has not been pretty, but they have been productive. The Super Eagles are more about experience than youth, but they have good experience. The Nigerian team barely did just enough to scrap pass the Zambian side and such was the case for Ghana against Angola. It was a surpise that unfancied Zambia held Nigeria to a draw. Nigeria is certainly under-achieving. That said, both teams are excellent and would be extremely cautious and score few goals in between them. It would come down to who's calmer, makes less mistakes and who's got the most experience. My verdict- patriotism and self-interest put on hold- Ghana wins!

How do you think this derby will go?


Ghana face neighbours Nigeria in a charged west African derby here Thursday with the prize a ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations final. The semi-finalists who face off at Luanda's 11 November stadium made it through in wildly contrasting fashions. While four-time winners Ghana impressed in their 1-0 quarter-final win over hosts Angola, Nigeria laboured to a goalless extra-time draw with Zambia, only prevailing on penalties, with Israeli-based goalkeeper Victor Enyeama converting the decisive spot kick for a 5-4 win.

Despite their far from impressive performance Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is too wily a coach to take Nigeria's form in Benguela at face value. "If you just look at Nigeria's quarter-final performance it can create a false impression," warned the Serb, speaking as ever with the help of his trusty translator.

"Yesterday (Tuesday) they showed they were an experienced team who knew what they wanted. "You can't draw any conclusions from that game, you have to look at the bigger picture. "Take for example Ivory Coast. They didn't play very well against Burkina Faso, then showed they could play a lot better in their next matches." Rajevac has worked wonders to get Ghana this far given the injury crisis he has had to contend with, Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien among a host of key players out injured.

Yet he said he wasn't surprised at Ghana's progress to the semi-finals. "When you consider we have eight younger players from Ghana's Under-20 World Cup winning team combined with some experienced players it's an excellent mix. "My team has proved its quality, they know how to compete, they are tough, and there is an excellent atmosphere and spirit in the squad." Rajevac is due to welcome back Norwegian-based midfielder Anthony Annan, who has missed all of Ghana's matches in Angola up to now. "Anthony is recovering well and we can use him for the semi-final," Rajevac confirmed.

However, he will be without Agyemang Opuku, who is suspended. Rajevac, meanwhile, may be a 'blow in' from Serbia but he doesn't need reminding of the importance Ghanaians attach to beating Nigeria. "There is a definite rivalry between the two countries. On top of that this is a semi-final in the Africa Cup of Nations, with a place in the final up for grabs." Recent history is on Ghana's side, after they knocked out Nigeria in the quarter-finals at the 2008 competition on home soil.

Asamoah Gyan scored the decisive goal in Ghana's quarter-final win over the hosts in Luanda on Sunday and the Rennes striker is relishing facing Nigeria again. Gyan said: "Every Ghanaian knows how important it is to play Nigeria. We are ready for them and prepared and we will stick to the game plan that the coach has mapped out for us. "We beat Nigeria two years ago. We have a lot of young guys in the team but we are concentrated and we will do everything possible to win."

Ghana are four time winners of the competition but their last title dates back to 1982. Nigeria, meanwhile, champions in 1980 and 1994, have yet to catch fire in Angola, and will have to put in a more convincing display than they did against Zambia to see off Ghana. Nigeria's under-fire coach Shaibu Amodu said after edging Zambia: "I was worried for the reputation of Nigeria, not for my job. It wouldn't have been good to once again be knocked out in the quarter-finals. "We've said from day one that we have a team that can win this tournament. I know that I have the players to win it. "We didn't play very well against Zambia but we showed how to play as a team. "We're not at our best at the moment but we are improving all the time, and in five months (at the World Cup) we'll be a lot better."

Black Stars Through to Semi's

Pure, unadulterated zeal and hunger from these young lads. Even when the chips looked lost, the big boys being absent, the odds against us, and the pundits warning of an early exit, we stood tall! The Angolans should know that games are not won by adopting and implementing primitive strategies to wear your opponents down.Ghana has shown the stuff they are made of even in the face of intimidations and harassment . I predicted Ghana would win 1:0 though. I do not have any crystal ball but only followed the trends of happenings in this tournament and I have the believe that only a mentally strong team like Ghana can survive the host nation onslaught.


Ghana destroyed Angola's Africa Cup of Nations dream with a 1-0 quarter-final win over the hosts here on Sunday to keep them on course for a fifth title.

Asamoah Gyan's first half goal put the Black Stars into the semi-finals where they will face the winner of Monday's match in Lubango between Zambia and Nigeria.

As a severely depleted Ghana side marched on in search of their first continental crown in 28 years Angola rued not putting away a number of clear cut chances, not least Manucho's shot over the woodwork approaching the interval. Angola made two changes from the side that qualified for the last eight with a goalless draw against Algeria - defender Stelvio returning from suspension and three-goal hero Flavio back from injury to join Manucho up front.

Ghana, missing a raft of star players including Michael Essien, made one alteration from their last run out, Mathew Amoah making way for Qatar-based midfielder Opoku Agyemang.

A minute's silence for the victims of the Haiti earthquake preceded this first ever competitive meeting between the two west African states.

Angola's president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, sporting the team scarf, eased into his seat just in time to watch Ghana's Andre Ayew booked in the opening seconds for a foul on Mabina.

With the stakes high an understandably nervy opening saw Ghana defender Lee Addy twice inadvertently try to lob his own keeper, captain Richard Kingson. On 16 minutes the 50,000 largely partisan crowd fell silent as Udinese's Kwadwo Asamoah conjured up a neat pass to release Gyan down the right, the Rennes striker racing by Angola skipper Kali to shoot past keeper Carlos Fernandes. This was the first time in the competition that Angola had fallen behind and only a fine goalline save from Kingson denied them an equaliser on the half hour.

The danger arose when Flavio zipped down the right, crossing for Manucho to head home with the Wigan stopper blocking the ball with his body.

Gyan had a second goal disallowed on 33 minutes when Algerian referee Mohammed Benouza hauled him up for offside.

The Flavio-Manucho show should have produced a goal a minute from the break, but Kingson's reflex save from close range and Manucho's poor miscue over the woodwork saved Ghana.

Angola coach Manuel Jose went into the interval scratching his head and fans listened dubiously as from the stadium speakers the Black Eyed Peas' claimed that 'tonight was going to be a good night'.

Angola midfielder Job got a warm welcome when he came on for Stelvio before the hour and his cross from the right shortly after his entrance almost led to the leveller but Manucho's header from in front of goal went high.

Angola had virtually all the possession in the second half and were putting together some slick attacking moves down both flanks yet Ghana's impressive backline held firm time and time again.

Deep in injury time Kali had only Kingson to beat but he failed to make proper contact and the loose ball, slithering towards goal, was cleared by Hoffenheim defender Isaac Vorsah.
Summary
Angola 0 Ghana 1 - African Nations Cup quarter-final halftime score:
At the November 11th Stadium:
Scorer: Asamoah Gyan 16

Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 12-Lee Addy, 7-Samuel Inkoom, 2-Hans Sarpei, 15-Isaac Vorsah; 19-Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, 13-Dede Ayew/I. Ayew, 9-Agyemang Opoku, 10-Kwadwo Asamoah, 23-Haminu Dramani/E. Addo; 3-Asamoah Gyan/M Amoah

Angola: 13-Carlos Fernandes; 5-Kali, 15-Rui Marques, 10-Zuela; 21-Mabina, 20-Stelvio, 8-Xara, 14-Djalma, 11-Gilberto; 23-Manucho, 16-Flavio

Referee: Mohamed Benouza (Algeria)

Ghana Reports Angola to CAF

Is Angola's hosting of the AFCON a piss-take or what? They've epitomized disorganization and unreadiness. This barbaric, intimidating, harassment and disgraceful acts is unacceptable; GFA was right to lodge a serious complaints to both FIFA and CAF. This is one huge dreary act, and at this rate if something drastic is not done about this and Ghana wins against Angola on Sunday, Ghanaians (footballers, journalists, supporters) and everyone who raises a smile about it will get some beating which nobody will do jack about it after the event.

I am completely saddened and disappointed by CAF President Issa Hayattou for giving this war torn nation the advantage to host the most prestigious tourney on the continent. The Angolans are deploying communist inferior tactics and other acts of intimidation before the game on Sunday. The Angolan Police have set up a 24 hour Surveillance Unit transmitting live from the Black Stars hotel with the use of an OB (Out Broadcasting) van? That's ridiculous! When the GH delegation protested, the Angloans presented a different story and even went to the extent of accusing them of assaulting the police. Again, before and after the Stars training, the security personnel's assigned to the team are found to be either asleep or loitering about, whiles the team is on the bus waiting for them to be escorted, sometimes for hours.



The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has sent a letter of complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), expressing concerns over various incidents in the lead-up to their 2010 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal against Angola.
In what is becoming a worrying trend, they are the third of Angola’s opponents to lodge official complaints due to disruptions to their tournament activities after Malawi and Mali did likewise in the group stages.

The Black Stars and Angola meet in the quarterfinals on Sunday, but the GFA are outraged over an attack on a Ghanaian journalist at the team hotel in Luanda, a reported assault on a fan last Tuesday, and the setting up of a 24-hour surveillance unit transmitting live from the team's hotel with the use of an OB (Outside Broadcast) van.

GFA spokesperson Randy Abbey says that the complaint was lodged with CAF due to "the harassment and intimidation tactics that the Angolans are deploying".

"We've compiled all these and lodged a formal complaint with CAF – then this issue [the attack on the journalist] took place," he says. "Football has come of age – these incidents shouldn't occur in 2010; perhaps in the 80s it would be understandable. This is disgraceful; we're just hoping that things will improve.

"But if it's because they [Angola] are dreading the possibility of elimination, then they better come again because we intend to defeat them and they can assault us however much they like.

"We have issues with the Angolan Police – they've set-up a 24 hour surveillance unit transmitting live from our hotel with the use of an OB (Outside Broadcast) van.

"When we protested, they presented a different story and even went to the extent of accusing us of assaulting their policemen. We find that very unfortunate.

"There have been a couple of occasions where security personnel detailed to provide us protection at training grounds, are found to be either asleep or loitering about, while the team is on a bus waiting for them … sometimes for more than 40 mins."

credit: Kickoffghana

Essien Out of Orange Nations Cup

Some collossal blow! Essien's absence has suddenly got the pundits mouthing an early exit like was in Egypt in 2005 and the passionate soccer souls upbeat. It's unfortunate that such talent is being wasted due to injury. What a pity! I feel sorry for Essien and Ghana. This Nations Cup has been marred by misfortunes, upsets and surprises. The best team may not win. I pray he recovers in time to continue with his career.

Ghana can't catch a break from these injuries recently can we? Essien, Appiah, Muntari, Mensah, Quincy, Paintsil, Annan, Sarpei, Laryea, Agogo, KP Boateng, Gyan (still unfit) That's 12 World Cup first team Players for Ghana - all basically out of the team right now.

What makes Michael Essien superior to many midfielders is that he plays clean football, respects the adversaries, and always accepts the referee's decision. When he talks, he always respects the other team and never says he's the best or his team is the best. Overall, Essien is one the best role models for young football players worldwide, not only Africans.




Ghana suffered a collossal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when their star player, Michael Essien, was ruled out of Tuesday's game against Burkina Faso.

Chelsea's star midfielder misses the final Group B game in Luanda after injuring his right knee in training on Saturday. Randy Abbey, Ghana's team spokesman, told AFP: "Unfortunately we have had the results of the scan back and the coach has confirmed that Michael will definitely miss Tuesday's game."

It was unclear how serious this latest setback was and whether Essien might recover in time to play any further role in Ghana's Cup of Nations campaign should they progress to the last eight. Reports suggest he has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and damage to his meniscus leaving him facing at least one month on the sidelines.
This is a big blow because Michael is so important to our team. We've lost the motor in our midfield, and this is very bad.
Ghana's Matthew Amoah

The 27-year-old is walking with the aid of crutches. FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers Ghana are one point behind Burkina Faso and the four-time champions need a win to avoid being eliminated after the first round of the biennial African football showpiece.

With a raft of key players missing the Black Stars fell 3-1 to competition favourites Côte d'Ivoire in their opening game with coach Milovan Rajevac having to field a largely inexperienced side. Ghana kicked off without first-choice players like defenders John Pantsil and John Mensah, midfielders Anthony Annan, Stephen Appiah, Essien, who came on as a substitute, Laryea Kingson, Sulley Muntari and striker Asamoah Gyan.

A fully fit Essien would have given Ghana strength and experience in midfield against a Burkina Faso side that was good enough to hold Côte d'Ivoire to a goalless draw in their opening Group C game. Essien, who arrived in Angola late for the tournament because snow delayed his flight from London, has been struggling to recover from a hamstring injury sustained playing for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League last month.

Ghana striker Matthew Amoah told BBC Sport: "This is a big blow because Michael is so important to our team. We've lost the motor in our midfield, and this is very bad."

Ivory Coast Through, Ghana Left Lurking!

Is Richard Kingston losing his past glory? Wasn't Kwadow Asamoah a pure act of a gem? Why didnt Essien and Gyan acquire Milo's starting rights? So much questions than answers fron Cabinda. No cause for alarm though. I am very optimistic about the team's chances in Angola and beyond. Nothing is lost, and we will come back strongly as never before. This is our first warm up game and the young players did exceptionally well. There are few lapses the technical bench needs to work on. I think Richard Kingston has to do better job at the post if he wants to remain the Stars number one goalie. He conceeded unimaginable goals.

The two matches that Cote d'Ivoire have played so far don't make them look like favourites to win the tournament. Look how they played the first game against Burkina Faso and in the second match they played like 'elephants' on the rampage to trample on the under-strength Black Stars to intimidate them. The may meet any team that could also be 'physical' to stop them in their tracks and their forward match to win the tournament.

Brighter days are ahead for the Stars!


The most anticipated match of the group stage at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Angola ended with Côte d'Ivoire defeating an under-strength Ghana team 3-1 to clinch a spot in the knockout rounds.

Cracking goals 20 minutes either side of half-time gave Vahid Halilhodzic’s side a lead before the African heavyweights traded late scores in Cabinda. The Elephants jump to the top of Group B with four points, and they successfully banish memories of their scoreless draw with Burkina Faso to open the tournament.

Ghana must beat the Burkinabe in the last remaining group contest on 19 January to also reach the quarter-finals, while Côte d'Ivoire will not play again in the group due to the shortened schedule resulting from the withdrawal of Togo.

Result
Côte d'Ivoire 3-1 Ghana (Gervinho 23’, Tiene 66’ Drogba 90’; Gyan pen. 90+3’)

Goal of the day
Côte d'Ivoire 1-0 Ghana, Gervinho (23’)
The Elephants had the best start, and they demonstrated their class moments after Ghana’s first chance of the match with a precise and speedy counter attack. A tackle outside their box started the move and Gervinho continued it through the middle of the park with an aggressive run before Yaya Toure picked out a streaking Saloman Kalou down the right. The Chelsea man did well to pull it back into the path of the still-running Gervinho, who tapped in simply at the end of the long move. The emerging 22-year-old winger is currently top scorer in the French Ligue 1 with Lille and is sure to be one of the players to watch at South Africa 2010.

Memorable moments
Asamoah tests Barry twice
Ghana’s emerging 21-year-old talent Kwadwo Asamoah gave Elephants goalkeeper Boubacar Barry all manner of trouble in the match. In the 20th minute he turned with devastating quickness and fired a left-footed shot from the edge of the area that forced the best from the netminder. The Udinese man proved he could do it from a set piece as well, when his long free-kick in the 63rd minute drew Barry out of his goal and then almost curled over his head before the goalkeeper managed to punch it away.

A moment of madness
With Michael Essien still recovering from injury and only on at half-time, Ghana managed to establish themselves more in the opening minutes of the second half. And it looked like things were about to get a lot better for them when Côte d'Ivoire player Emmanuele Eboue lost his head in the tackle and was sent off with a straight red card. The Arsenal veteran's clumsy two-footed lunge on Opoku Agyemang in his own half left South African referee Jerome Damon little choice, and while his side managed to win the match he will miss their next contest through suspension.

Postage stamp to Angola
After going down to 10 men, Côte d'Ivoire looked vulnerable to the building confidence of their West African rivals. However, against the run of play, appeared an unlikely hero: France-based defender Siaka Tiene. His left-footed free-kick from 30 yards out on the right whistled into the near-post corner past a flapping Richard Kingson. Though there were further dramatics to follow, Ghana never seemed like they were up for coming from two goals behind.

Dramatic finishes for both
After a lacklustre showing against Burkina Faso, Kada Keita made an immediate impact upon entering the match for Côte d'Ivoire in the 84th minute. He showed all of his skill and determination in twisting free with the ball on the left side of Ghana’s box, and his pinpoint cross to the far post was met by the rising head of Drogba for the third goal. And while that surely sealed the result, Ghana got some consolation at the other end as Asamoah Gyan won and converted a penalty in the 3rd minute of injury time.

The stat
2 - The number of sons of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele that started for Ghana on Thursday night. Rahim and Andre Ayew are 21 and 20 years old respectively, and are part of a golden generation of Ghanaian football. Andre was on the team that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup last October in Egypt, and three more of his teammates started against the Elephants.

What they said
“We showed good fighting spirit in this game, and we created good chances. Ghana is a very good team, but they were missing two good players. We had to play 35 minutes with 10 men, but we played well without Emmanuel Eboue. We played as a family and we will take the three points for him." Côte d'Ivoire striker Didier Drogba.

Credit : FIFA

Its Game On in Cabinda!

Surely a match-clou . Indeed "Tales of a Derby". The dynamics might be different but a win is in sight. Ghana - Crisp passing game, strong and powerful, never to be under-rated. Have won their fair share, only second to Egypt on the number of wins. Cote D'Ivoire - So much potential, great players, beautiful football but surprisingly few trophies to show for it.

We've got to put the brakes on Didier if we want to make it pass the Ivorians. How to beat Ivory Coast? Play like Burkina Faso but get more offensive with the chances look bright. Lets up the stakes!



Ghana belatedly kick off their CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Côte d'Ivoire in Cabinda on Friday and coach Milovan Rajevac is expecting no easy ride in what is certainly the pick of the first-round games.

Both teams will be desperate for a victory in what is now a three-team Group B following the absence of Togo, whose team bus came under attack by terrorists last Friday, prompting their withdrawal from the competition.

While it is a must-win game for Côte d'Ivoire after their opening-match goalless draw against Burkina Faso, it is a first match of the tournament for Ghana after their game with Togo on Monday was cancelled.

Rajevac's team have had several problems during the build-up, with injuries taking a toll on many key players - Stephen Appiah, John Mensah and Laryea Kingston just some of the big names not fully fit, while Michael Essien is only just back from a hamstring problem.

Add to that the events of six days ago and it leaves the Ghanaians facing a daunting start against the Ivorians. But the Serbian boss is not fazed and is confident his inexperienced side, 11 of which will be playing in their first Cup of Nations, can succeed.

"We want to win this competition but this first game is going to be interesting," he said. "We are pitting our very young team against one of the best and most experienced sides in Africa."
We are going to work hard to be ready against one of the best teams in Africa. We need to show character. We have the spirit, and the team.
Kolo Toure, Ivorian defender.

Rajevac, himself a debutant in the continental showpiece, is also wary of a backlash, saying: "We will give our best to try to win. For them this result (against Burkina Faso) is not the best and against us they will try to win, so we must be prepared."

As for Chelsea midfielder Essien, who only arrived in camp yesterday, the coach added: "For now his chances of playing Friday's game are 50-50. He might start the game, or come in the second half or might not play at all."

Côte d'Ivoire are a team loaded with talent and include some of the biggest names in Africa with Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Gervinho among their ranks.

However, Vahid Halilhodzic's pre-tournament favourites failed to deliver the goods in their opening game and defeat to Ghana could result in the unthinkable - an early exit. Manchester City defender Kolo Toure said: "I am confident. We are going to work hard to be ready against one of the best teams in Africa. We need to show character. We have the spirit, and the team."

credit: FIFA

Essien Arrives in Angola

 

Why the skeptism and rather boorish talk? A large section of the Ghanaian soccer cult have raised questions over the "Matador's" commitment and I somewhat share in their sentiments but why the blame-game towards Essien at this crucial moment? The young man in my unadulterated thoughts comes clean in this case. It was an agreement between our FA and the Chelsea technical team to delay his trip to Angola since they all felt that it would be better for everyone if Essien stayed behind to continue his recovery.

My predictions for the game? Ghana is flawlessly going to win the match against Ivory Coast by a lone goal.. bet?


Ghana have received a major boost at the African Cup of Nations after midfield dynamo Michael Essien arrived in Angola on Wednesday for the tournament.

Bad weather in Britain prevented the Chelsea ace from joining his team mates in Cabinda on Monday.

But he was alble to catch a direct flight from London on Tuesday night - arriving in the host nation on Wednesday morning.

This means he will be available to feature for the Black Stars in Friday's game against Ivory Coast in Group B.

Ghana's first scheduled game was cancelled in the wake of the attacks on the Togo team.

The Chelsea midfielder has returned to fitness after suffering a hamstring injury that would have kept him out of that game.

Ghana, along with Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, will only play two games in the group stage.

The freezing conditions in Britain led to much of the weekend's football being postponed.

credit: Ghanasoccernet

Essien to Miss Togo Match

This is some white baloney! First he comes off with a late introduction into the team, has a Chelsea doctor coming down to monitor his situation, would miss our first game againt the Hawks. Now that's something up the sleeves of the 2008 BBC African Footballer of the Year Award. The coach should probably have dropped Essien too from the squad (I call his inclusion because we are left with little experience in the team), because it's becoming clear that he doesn't want to feature in the tournament after he wrote a letter to GFA & the coach asking why his buddy (Muntari) was axed. Essien intentions are very obvious. This kind of game must cease; how can you report to camp two days prior to a major tournament, citing bias reasons for your delay? All this indiscipline and ungrateful players must be dropped to allow the youngsters, determined, disciplined and the hungry ones to take up the mantle. At least, they sent pundits and betting power houses the wrong turn during the Under-20 mundial in Egypt by winning the ultimate laurel. A look of confidence they show, are passionate and hungry to make history!



Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will miss the Black Stars opening African Cup of Nations clash with Togo on Monday even though he had a full training session with Chelsea yesterday.
According to reports in the English media, Essien will definitely miss the Black Stars clash with the Hawks because he has yet to regain full match fitness.

The revelation seems to come from his English side Chelsea but Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac and Black Stars doctors will decide whether to leave out Essien for the game.

Even though the enforcer is doubtful for the Togo clash Chelsea sources told the Times he is aiming to be fully fit in time to face his Chelsea team-mate, Didier Drogba, when his side meet Ivory Coast four days later.

The influential midfielder took part in a full session in the snow at the club’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey on Wednesday but will join Ghana in Angola.

Essien (27), will be accompanied to Angola by a Chelsea doctor on Saturday who will be monitoring his progress to ensure that he doesn’t suffer from any further strains.

The midfielder is yet to regain full match fitness after tearing a hamstring in a Champions League match against Apoel last month, but he hopes to play some part in the tournament.

Essien’s prolonged absence is compounded by the fact that John Obi Mikel is also in Angola with Nigeria, leaving Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti with a shortage of defensive midfield players.

Ghana will have to finish among the top two in Group B where they face Togo, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso to be able to advance to the second phase of the tournament.

Ghana's Squad Depleted for Nations Cup

May be depleted, but definitely solidified and really in-depth. I must say am quite surprised with Ghana's selection; opting to leave Essien till so late a time, opting out of the likes of Muntari (good players have sometimes a torrid time with displine and tactical awareness and Sulley isnt any different) and Kevin-Prince Boateng (some pretty doggy and lousy official work denied the midfield gem of representing our colours).. You might augur out loud that Ghana are a hoax... and completely disappointed in them. Some pundits and mouthy critics have said ''with this coach at current disposition, they're going nowhere except stuff happens.. An iota of truth I might share with such talks, however, am with them all the way in a spirit of patriotism.



Ghana has been presented a depleted squad for next week's African Cup of Nations after FOUR key Black Stars were left out because of injuries.

The four-time champions have presented a squad dominated by the country's U20 World Cup winning squad to the Confederation of African Football (Caf). Deputy captain John Mensah was last player to be left out of the original squad named by coach Milovan Rajevac for the tournament in Angola on Thursday. A day earlier another first-choice player John Pantsil opted out of the tournament because of a knee injury he suffered while playing for English side Fulham. The Black Stars have been ravaged by injuries as key players Stephen Appiah and Laryea Kingston were already been ruled out of the tournament.

The fitness of Anthony Annan and Michael Essien is also in doubt as they would have just recovered from injuries when the tournament starts on 10 January. Ghana will be relying on youngsters to fly its flag at the tournament where they face giants Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo in Group B. Goalkeeper Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Jonathan Mensah, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Opoku Agyemang, Dominic Adiyiah and Ransford Osei were all part of Ghana U20 World Cup winning team.The Black Stars were among the favourites for the tournament but with the injury problems they have been reduced to mere also-rans for the tournament.

While there are doubts over the youngsters in the squad others think they can use their experiences to stun teams at the tournament.