Gleeson rubbishes Black Stars

Gleeson is a top football journo African football expert Mark Gleeson has questioned Ghana's ability to make a second successive appearance in the World Cup. 

The Black Stars reached the second phase of the World Cup qualifiers last week prompting hopes that Ghana are could make an appearance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

But according to the South African journalist, Ghana lack the strength in depth that aided the West African country's qualification for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Gleeson, who is Africa's longest serving football hack, cited injuries and the loss of form of some players as the reasons for his thoughts.

"Stephen Appiah is not on top of his game like he used to in 2006, Essien is injured and we don?t know if he would be back before Ghana's first qualifier," Gleeson said.

"Frankly if I am told to bet my last coin on Ghana qualifying for the World Cup in 2010, I would say no."

The Black Stars made it to the next stage of the Nations and World Cup qualifiers by the scruff of their neck, topping their group with 12 points but with a superior goal aggregate.

Gabon and Libya were also tied on 12 points apiece.

Ghana has been seeded in the first pot together with Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast and awaits the final draw on October 22 in Zurich.