GROUP D/Serbia v Ghana:THE ALL-SINGING, all-dancing Ghanaians represent Africa's best chance of success at the World Cup thanks in no small part to the emergence of their "young and wild" generation.
There will be a fresh, youthful look about the Black Stars when they line up against Serbia in Pretoria tomorrow. Losing their best player, Michael Essien, to injury has been an undeniable blow, yet Ghana’s starting 11 will be bolstered by as many as four members of the side that won last year’s World Under-20 Cup.
Encouragingly for Ghana fans, those four – Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese) and Samuel Inkoom (FC Basel) – all have the potential to illuminate this summer’s tournament.
Ghana’s under-20s gained their “young and wild” nickname after their heroics at that recent Youth World Cup. Showing speed, skill and flair, they enchanted supporters in Egypt with their carefree attitude and uninhibited attacking play, becoming the first African side to win the prestigious competition.
Sellas Tetteh’s tyros rattled in 16 goals in six games, including a 4-0 rout of England. In the final, they needed to show other, more earthy qualities after being reduced to 10 men early on against Brazil. They dug in, kept the contest goalless, and won on penalties.
Throughout the event Ghana’s choreographed goal celebrations were every bit as slick as the goals themselves. So enamoured were the Egyptian observers, many of the 70,000 at the Cairo International stadium joined in with the impressive dance routines that followed the final victory.
In the past, the Youth World Cup has unearthed such gems as Diego Maradona, Adriano and Lionel Messi. Elusive striker Adiyiah followed in their footsteps in October by scooping the player of the tournament award, as well as the golden boot for his eight strikes. AC Milan wasted no time in signing the 20-year-old on the back of those performances.
Adiyiah was promoted to the senior squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in January along with seven other under-20 graduates. He had to settle for cameo appearances in Angola, although Inkoom, Asamoah and Ayew all enjoyed exceptional tournaments as the Black Stars reached the final.
With Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, captain Stephen Appiah and Sunderland defender John Mensah returning for the World Cup there is room for only five of the “young and wild” generation in Milovan Rajevac’s squad, including reserve goalkeeper Daniel Adyei. Yet the presence of these youngsters could become Ghana’s secret weapon.
It is no longer possible to surprise opponents by fielding unknown players, but this group remains relatively new to European soccer and has the talent to unsettle teams. What is sure is that they will enjoy the experience.
They are likely to fit in well, too. Traditionally the Ghanaian camp is a happy place. While neighbouring Nigeria often suffer from rifts between players from different ethnic groups, Ghana always seem united. They do everything together, from training to eating, praying, singing and dancing.
If the blueprint from the last two Cup of Nations campaigns is respected, tomorrow’s preparation rituals will begin two hours before kick-off.
Long-standing captain Appiah will gather his troops in a huddle at their hotel and calmly remind them that God and 24 million Ghanaians are behind them. The mood at this point will be intense and serious.
On the team bus to the stadium all of that will change. Music will be blasting and the bus will be transformed into a discotheque with players jigging rhythmically up and down the aisle, sharing jokes and embracing. An hour before kick-off, as they stroll out to inspect the pitch, they will be looking more relaxed than even their colourful supporters.
The focus returns once back in the dressingroom. Rajevac will give his last-minute instructions before goalkeeper Richard Kingson takes centre stage. Kingson, who excelled at the 2006 World Cup, is the team’s spiritual leader. The squad is made up of Christians and Muslims, but Kingson ensures everybody prays together by taking charge of a communal prayer session.
Rajevac, Ghana’s straight-nosed Serbian coach, has wisely decided not to disrupt these traditions. Not that the former Red Star Belgrade defender gives his men a free rein. Ghana were the most tactically disciplined team at the Cup of Nations, playing defensively and counterattacking with their pacy forwards. In South Africa, Rajevac will make Ghana difficult to break down again.
