2010 World Cup kicks off today
From Cape Town in South Africa Friday evening, the debates about which nations are likely to impress, or have the best of chances to do so at the first ever African World Cup, will peak when the draws are conducted.
The 32 nations have initially been 'boxed' into four pots and this evening's draw is expected to further split them into eight groups of four teams.
In Pot 1 are South Africa, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina and England
Pot 2 Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Mexico and Honduras
Pot 3 Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria, Paraguay, Chile and Uruguay
Pot 4 France, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland, Greece, Serbia, Denmark and Slovakia
In the meantime, nations are fervent in prayers that the ballots do not draw them against certain 'super forces' in the game, if they must also have the opportunity to at least make some progress in the competition.
Ghana Football Association Chairman, Kwasi Nyantakyi, on Wednesday just before he emplaned to South Africa to observe tonight's draw, told Adom FM that Ghana may not have things easy at all in South Africa, compared to the nation's hailed first ever appearance in Germany where the Black Stars managed a second round berth.
Brazil was the Stars' last stop after the group stage, and while many back home believe an early clash with such a force or similar ones in the likes of Portugal, Italy and Spain could be detrimental to the national pride, Nyantakyi says we must be prepared for anything.
He says Ghana has no choice but to face any opposition with determination and focus on a win, that is what it takes to be counted seriously for any nation desirous of the ultimate.
For Nyantakyi, what makes 2010 more challenging is that this time round, Ghana has been propelled out of the underdog position it was handed back in Germany, thanks to the Black Stars' sterling performance, and any team facing Ghana now does so with a critical mindset of coming up against one of the best in the world.
That means no country will now underestimate Ghana, and a win for the Black Stars will no longer be considered as a shocker or an upset, except perhaps the manner of its execution may warrant such a tag.
Former Zambia Captain, Kalusha Bwalya was on BBC Friday morning declaring that the game actually starts after the draw, when the fans, teams and players, coaches, associations and ex-players focus their debates on the chances of the 32 nations. And how true that is, for football fans in Ghana are excited, even if anxious, awaiting which nations the draw throws in the way of the Black Stars, and to join in the global debate as the world countdown to South Africa 2010, which holds from June 11 to July 11.
Story by Isaac Yeboah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana