Interviews: David Owusu-Antwi, Kumasi and Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah Sunyani
Pictures; David Owusu-Antwi, Kumasi James K. Baah, Sunyani
The Black Stars are set to make history again at the FIFA World Cup which started in South Africa from June 11-July 11 and Coach Milo’s squad are expected to make Ghana proud at the event, which will keep the world excited for a whole month.
Grpahic Nsempa brings you the expectations on their participation from the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions. This was before the Ghana-Serbia match
I think the players in camp are good enough to carry the country very far in the competition but I have a little problem about our preparation. Our preparation for the World Cup was nothing compared to what we did for Germany 2006.
I however, have high expectations of the Black Stars ability to progress from our group, which also comprise Germany, Serbia, and Australia.
Going beyond the round of 16 is something I want to be very careful in making any predictions about. However, let me encourage our charges to work hard and stay united to be able to take out any opposition that we may meet.
Ghanaians must not see this World Cup as something for the players alone to execute but pray for the Lord’s favour and grace.May God be our helper.
The coach’s selection is okay because he has worked with them and knows those who will best execute his strategy to qualify the stars for the next stage of the competition.
We only have to pray to God to guide and guard the team and also direct the coach to do the proper thing.
The rest of us Ghanaians are laymen and so what we think is not what the coach as a professional thinks. The team has not really hit their peak but we are sure they will do their best during the tournament.
Let me tell you. Even though I don’t see anything wrong with the the playing body, my prediction is that the Black Stars would not cross the group stage encounters.
I have no hope in the team because most of the boys are not matured to face the highly fancied teams from across the world. The exclusion of Laryea and Eric Addo, was not the best decision taken by Coach Milo.
Laryea is a utility material, especially when it comes to effecting free kicks and so on and it is one of Milo’s serious mistakes. I wish for a miracle to happen.
The coach’s selection of the 23-man squad is perfect. He has the mandate to select the best team he believes will deliver the goods for him. After all, it’s his head that will roll if things (God forbid) did not go well for the team.
For me, I don’t see anything wrong with the 23 boys he selected since he knows the caliber of all the players who are with him. The squad is good but the only person who is not in South Africa which hurts, is Michael Essien and probably Agyeman Badu”.
Ghanaians should pray for the protection of the team. The Black Stars can be unpredictable and can perform better when the odds are against the team. Let’s pray for them.
I strongly believe that our team will reach the semi-finals of this World Cup. Our preparations for the competition has been a suspect and of course, we have missed some of our big stars but I still have a lot of hope in the team.
Have Ghanaians forgotten so soon of this same team’s exploits during the CAN 2010 in Angola and how they qualified for this World Cup, having two matches to spare?
The same God who did it for us in Africa, will lead us to victory in this World Cup.
Many people look at the Serbians, Germans and the Australians and think Ghana will be a no march for them but I believe that any team at the tournament can be beaten. That notwithstanding, I suggest our charges must be more serious and work extra hard if they are to make any meaningful impart in the competition.
I still cannot fathom why we are playing a tournament in Africa and yet Ghana opted to spend more money camping at areas where the weather conditions are not the same as what pertains in the venue of the competition.
All the same, I trust our players to bring glory to Ghana.
There’s nothing wrong with the selection, the individual players are hungry to chalk successes and would wish to achieve something for themselves and their relations.
The team spirit is very high and that is a panacea for reaping results. We will get there with the kind of confidence they show on the field of play
I urge the boys never to be complacent but to go all out to face any team. Ghana can spring a surprise in South Africa by the end of the tournament.
Ghana’s least level in the competition will be the semi-final. Young players such as Dede Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Samuel Inkoom and latest inclusion, Kevin Prince Boateng have gained a lot of experience having played elite football in Europe and therefore, could march any opposition boot for boot in the competition.
Our friendly games did a lot of degeneration to the confidence of Ghanaians, especially when Holland walloped us 4-1 but Ghanaians must know that it was just a friendly game and the players needed to protect themselves against injuries.
Already, our solid midfielder, Michael Essien has been ruled out because of injury, Sulley Muntari’s form has taken a serious dip and Skipper Stephen Appiah cannot be said to be fully ready for this competition.
I think it was very wise that the other players decided to protect themselves and give off their best in the main event.
The Black Stars will bring the trophy home. The Satellites showed the way when they conquered the world last year and won the world youth championship in Egypt.
My only prayer is that the coach will make the right selection for the games so that the team will gel. God will surely be with us, Ghanaians should only pray and trust the Lord for His grace.
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