Mali is next in line…As Stars round up qualifiers

Ghana joined the league of extraordinary football nations in September when the Black Stars qualified as one of the 32 teams for next year's World Cup in South Africa, after beating Sudan by two goals to nil in Accra. But in line with Group D's fixtures and the competition's regulations, one last hurdle which may end up as one of those 'mere' games, would have to be honoured on Sunday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, as the Black Stars engage the Les Airles of Mali in their last World Cup qualifier.

Ghana had maintained an hundred percent record throughout the qualifiers but was dealt a severe streak following a disappointing one nil loss to the Squirrels of Benin in Cotonou, a month ago. The Black Stars would be hoping to use this match, to reclaim their bragging rights as one of the best qualifiers from Africa, a feat only made better by Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire, leaders in their respective groups with thirteen points each. A win against Mali on Sunday, is sure to place Ghana on top of the group as well as a possible quantum leap on Fifa's monthly world ranking which Ghana is currently positioned 38th, twenty four places adrift of their previous all time high of 14th which the team had in February, April and May of 2008.

The Black Stars qualified rather easily recording wins over Sudan, Mali and Benin and only succumbed to an away loss in October to Benin's Squirrels. Coach Milovan Rajevac has a full complement of his squad for this match, one which includes Udinese's Kwadjo Asamoah, who scored one of Ghana's vital two goals in the first leg, and a place for six players of the current Under20 team that came back from Egypt with gold.

For Emmanuel Agyeman Badu and Dede Ayew it will be business as usual as they've been part of the team before, with Dede's recent association, being the African Cup of Nations in 2008 which Ghana hosted on home soil. The same however cannot be said for goalkeeper Daniel Adjei, defender Dan Addo and AC Mailan bound Dominic Adiyiah as all three, are making their first appearance for country at this level.

Mali has not been bad at all, except they found their rhythm rather too late after a row of disappointing results in the early stages of the qualifiers. A loss to Ghana in Bamako, followed by wins against Sudan and Benin and two draws in Cotonou and Omdurman, contributed to their current twelve points build up, and the more reason why they are second in the group. An African Cup participation in Angola, earlier next year, is in the offing if they manage a positive result in Kumasi.

But so many factors would play against them on Sunday. They would have to put up with a Kumasi fan base that is very passionate about 'their' Black Stars. The people of Kumasi love their football, the same way they hold their 'fufu' in high esteem and come Sunday, the 40,470 fans would be cheering the Black Stars, with their 'Mexican waves' and ever popular, 'Kangaroo' dance amidst the tooting of a new found local cheering device, 'Vuvuzela' that would be hostile at a point to the Malians. One other factor, Stephen Keshi and his charges need to overcome, is an eight year old, home invincibility record. The Black Stars have not lost at home in any competitive match since 2001. This record is sure to play against Mali.

Ghana is represented in Kumasi on Sunday by : Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan Athletic, England), Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals)

Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Samuel Inkoom (Basel, Switzerland), Jonathan Quartey (Nice, France), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland) Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany) Lee Addy (Berekum Chelsea) Daniel Addo (King Faisal)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Bologna, Italy), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Andre Ayew (Arles-Avagnon, France), Agyemang Badu (Asante Kotoko) Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy)

Attackers: Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad FK, Norway) Rahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt) and Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy).

The stage is all set for the big match. When the referee for the day, finally blows his whistle to bring hostilities to an end, it will not only signal a conclusion of the day's business, but two years of sweat and toil, in and out of the ugly stains of Darfur, the eerie sounds of Cotonou, the huge Baobab trees of Bamako through the scorching sun of Accra up to the Ashanti Kingdom. Kumasi will certainly go agog on Sunday.

OBED BOAFO
THE MAIL NEWSPAPER
Development / Accra / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com