In the next six days, the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will kick off in Gabon and 16 countries including the Les Patheres led by Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre Emerick Aubameyang would battle it out to determine which country will earn the bragging rights by taking home the grand trophy and the $4m prize money.
Since the inception of the tournament in 1957, a lot of countries have laid their hands on the gold trophy: a golden group that includes the Black Stars of Ghana. The Black stars who were losing finalist in the last edition will seek to go a step further especially with experience and the kind of players at their disposal but it will be internecine to ignore what the likes of Ivory Coast and Cameroon possess
The task facing Ghana’s Israeli Coach Avram Grant and his players are quite enormous but going a step further from the 2015 penalty shootout loss to the Ivory Coast is non-negotiable according to many Ghanaians especially after the embarrassing Hollywood-esque debacle in Brazil in the world cup.
Last week, head coach Avram Grant named a 26 man provisional squad which was later pruned down to 23 players as per the rules governing the tournament. 90% of the players named have had a taste of the most prestigious tournament in Africa which should come as a major boost to the team as the core are still available. Hopefully that will put them in a good stead in the next few weeks.
Ghana’s group consisting of Egypt, Mali and Uganda has been touted as the group of death many because of Egypt’s history as the most successful country in this tournament, Mali’s grit and hunger and Uganda’s rise in the last few months having not lost to the Black stars in 3 games already.
Grant’s ability to switch formations and vary tactics in games could come in handy as the tournament goes on, although many Ghanaian football pundits are still unconvinced about what really Grant’s biggest asset is. His preferred 4-3-3 has its pros and cons .One flaw of the tactical system is that it is relatively easy to play against.
When the Stars lose possession they tend to have very little defensive shape, if any, and with the two full-backs pushed higher to support the attack, the central defensive pairing are always exposed in 2 vs 2 situations.
However, when it works it looks beautiful to watch, but there is no doubt that the defensive side of the approach and system is a hurdle Grant and his team will have to overcome if they are to succeed.
This season has been very tough for most Ghanaian players especially those in Europe. A significant number have changed clubs, some returning from varying forms of injuries and a couple getting fewer minutes in their respective teams notably Center back Jonathan Mensah since moving to Russia outfit Anzhi Makhachkala and has since joined fellow Black stars player Harrison Afful in the MLS at Columbus Crew.
All these coupled with the loss of affection from the nation doesn’t inspire confidence but hopefully, the stars go a step further against all odds.
The Black Stars on Tuesday afternoon beat Uzbekistan giants Bunyodkor 2-0 on Tuesday at the Sevens Stadium in Al Ain {Dubai} in a pre-AFCON friendly and the question once again is can the Black Stars STEP UP after 35 years?,
By : Guest writer Boye Clinton Habi
