A CAUTION TO THE BLACK STARS OF GHANA

The good people in Ghana have now developed this hypothesis, “Since the under 21 Football team won the world cup yesterday, next year will be the turn of the Senior national team”. Well hold on; Defeat against Benin may just be a very good thing for Milo and Ghana. Sometimes, it's easy for both fans and players to get carried away on the crest of a wave – and, before you know it, we're going out in the group stages of the World Cup.

But the irony is that, while it's crucial nobody gets carried away just yet, the fact is that next year summer Ghana might win the World Cup. Not that we're getting carried away, you understand. Spain and England is the best team in the world right now, and Brazil will always be the team to beat. But there are no other teams to truly fear, and the way the Black stars are playing, Ghana will be going to South Africa among the favourites.

There is still plenty for the Serbian coach to ponder over this year. Who will be the second-choice goalkeeper? Can Laryea Kingston sort himself out? Who will partner Asamoah Gyan up front? Will Stephen Appiah play for anyone other than Ghana between now and the World Cup?

Milo inherited a job that most people thought was nigh-on impossible. Coach Sellas Tetteh and Claude Leroy had both wasted their chances with great sets of players-how would anyone else motivate a group who were underachieving so badly? And, equally importantly, who would want to? Being the coach of the senior national team means as much coverage on the Sports papers front pages.

Somehow, Coach Milo has so far managed to succeed on every level. With the players, he has instilled respect and maybe even a little fear. By instilling some discipline in the Ghanaian camp, he has also won over the media in a way Claude Leroy never did.

Finally coming back down to earth against Benin will remind his players there is still work to be done. Like we say, let's not get carried away. Well, not much.

Author: Paul Rex Danquah
East London
Develoment / Ghana/ Africa/ Modernghana.com