FEEL IT, GHANA IS HERE

AT the ongoing World Cup, one of the placards that have caught my attention a good deal has been the one that read: “Feel it, Ghana is here.” No wonder I have chosen this as the title for my article.
What is it about that Ghana football, to the extent that it was expected to charm football fans in South Africa? What different thing does the Black Stars bring to bear on the tournament that make them not just add up to the numbers, but stand out.
As I pondered over these questions, the answers kept flowing count by count.
Firstly, Ghana has the historical background of being first in many endeavours. We were the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence. We have been among the first in the world to practice matured democracy and to give credence to several internationally-recognised rights.
Also, when the first Black president of the United States of America was sworn into office, Ghana was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa that he visited, leaving out his own native land Kenya.
In football history, Ghana was the first to win the African Cup three times, before other nations followed suit.
Recently, we became the first African country to win the World Under-20 Cup and also on an African soil. Just some few days ago, it again became only the second African country to qualify for the round-16 stage of the 2010 World Cup consecutively and also the third in Africa to qualify for the quarter finals.
History beckons us once again as we seek to become the first in Africa to progress to the semi-finals or even better.
Secondly, apart from the historical context, Ghana’s recent achievements have given indications that it could do wonders when given the opportunity.
In 2006, we put up a horrible performance at the African Cup, but went to World’s Mundial and progressed to the second round, farther than our colleagues who had than better at the African Cup could go.
In 2010, we went to Angola with a makeshift side, without several key players, but we emerged victorious over some well assembled teams, including Nigeria and Angola. We even progressed to the finals and became runners-up.
Once again, we went to South Africa without Michael Essien, our key midfielder, but have so far proved to be key contenders, irrespective of our weaknesses.
So in view of these, it was not surprising that on the first edition of the World Cup on the African soil, Ghana is expected to be the first to carry the hopes of Africa. It is expected to salvage Africa’s pride and shame her detractors.
The question that arises, therefore, is: “Is Ghana really living up to expectation.”
So far, so excellent is the obvious. Qualifying for the Quarter-finals is enough proof that Ghana has fought had. We may not have had the big stars, but we have those who are willing to labour and bring forth results.
Several reasons account for Ghana’s progress so far. These include, but not limited to, our telepathic play, individual brilliance, team spirit, tactics and good omen.

Telepathic play

It is undisputed that teams like Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal have been the great teams they are due to the telepathy between and among some players. There is some kind of understanding that makes players to find one another on the pitch and predict their next moves.
I am referring here to that understanding between players like Xavi, Iniesta and Messi for Barcelona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rooney for Manchester United and Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie for Arsenal. When players feature simultaneously, their team’s play is enhanced because they know where to pass the ball to the other, when and which manner.
It is this telepathy that has suddenly characterised the Black Stars play in South Africa. If we observe critically, back in Angola we had a Black Stars team that was highly-spirited, but less telepathic. Dede Ayew and Kwadwo Asamoah may have played all the football, but with little communication. It was one of individual efforts.
The story has so far been different in South Africa. The trio of Dede Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah and Kevin-Prince Boateng have formed a great partnership in the Ghanaian field that has produced excellent results for the Stars team. Each one who picks the ball knows where to locate the other and this is how they build from the back to the middle and to the front, where the final delivery is made, mostly to Gyan.
Again, the understanding that has flourished between Boateng and Annan has been superb. It is simple, Annan picks from the central defenders, delivers to Boateng, who then finds his usually partners. And when Annan makes the offensive move, then Boateng stays behind. How wonderful!

Individual brilliance

I mentioned earlier that Ghana does not have the Messis, Ronaldos and Kakas, but the truth of the matter is that, each player in the Stars team has the character traits of these players in them. It is only when they are willing and prepared to bring out these traits that they would reach their full potential.
So far, Asamoah Gyan, Boateng and Ayew have sought to bring out this thing that is them. It is not surprising that Abedi Pele was reported to have said, before the tournament, that there would be a revelation in the stars team. What he meant simply was that, somebody was going to go the great length to bring the best in him to bear on the game.
When these players produced these glimpses of individual brilliance, we saw the results. Ayew created three of Ghana’s goals. Asamoah scored all three of those goals. Boateng solely exploited and utilised his chance to produce his best, in the form of a goal in Ghana’s match against USA. As for Richard Kingson and Kwadwo Asamoah, they have more in them than they have showed.

Team spirit

There seem to be a burning desire in the Stars team for victory. It has largely been enhanced by the rejuvenated confidence of some of the players and the new stakes brought on board by the new kid, Boateng, who is determined to make a point.
The boys go onto the field determined to flaw the opponent and prove their worth. Apart from pride for their country, their desired has been boosted much more by the bigger mantle of carrying the hopes of millions of Africans.
Luckily, not many of them have showcased their desire to achieve personal glories. Probably, it has become clear to players that team work helps each player to realise his potential. After all, Gyan cannot score if Boateng decides not to give him the balls and vice versa.

Tactics
I would shy away from discussing much about tactics, since it is reserved for the technical experts. But from a layman’s point of view, Ghana’s 5-4-1 formation, particularly used against the USA, has proved effective.
It may appear ineffective when we need a goal, but the truth is that when you meet a team that has more offensive prowess than your team, your first priority is to assembly the men who could contain these offences, before thinking of options for offence.

Good omen

Some may not agree, but luck plays a role in success, especially when the opportunity is opened to one who is already prepared. The truth is that Ghana’s opponents have so far been tough, but who knows how tougher it could have been if we were to face Brazil, Argentina, South Korea and Uruguay.
Aside this, the climate at the moment provides a rife environment for the stars to succeed. Globally, it is a time, when smaller nations are trying to reshape global football competition and reinforce Christopher Opoku’s description of the tournament as ‘obiara n nye obiara’, which largely implies that no team is bigger than the other.
It is also a time when Africa needs to make a mark, whiles Ghana needs to be portrayed as Africa’s weapon for this endeavour or better still, become the ‘gateway to football in Africa.’
All these things sum up to create the right atmosphere for the stars to succeed.

Threats
Ghana could progress very far in the ongoing Mundial, except for some few hiccups that may derail progress. Aside meeting more tactically and skill-gifted teams, certain actions of our players could stab us in our back.
Complacency is one of those. John Paintsil appears to be the main culprit here. He delays in releasing the ball and when he has to clear the ball outright from the Ghana’s 18-yard area, he hesitates, probably over rating his ability to protect the ball.
The search for personal glory is another. The beginning of the death of team cohesion is the beginning of doom for the team. When players begin to seek personal glory at the team’s expense, they disrupt play, waste chances and create disunity and enmity in the team.
The last is about concentration. The goals we have conceded so far could be blamed on the lack of concentration. Our players seem to lose concentration when they are in the lead. They begin to celebrate even before victory is handed to them.
In the absence of these, one remains hopeful that the Black Stars could deliver beyond expectations.