Ghana's Black Stars will spend the next nine months without any competitive action, but it will be far from a dormant period for the West African giants' footballing heroes.

As they mark a breakthrough into the top-20 of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking this month, Ghana continue frenetic preparations for their hosting of the 2008 CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals, when the 16 best teams from the Mother Continent will congregate in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale to decide the African champions.

Ghana are seeking to reclaim a crown they last lifted back in 1982, a task they have turned over to the wily and canny expertise of Frenchman Claude Le Roy.

The former Racing Strasbourg manager long ago made his mark on African football, notably winning the Nations Cup with Cameroon, who he also took to the FIFA World Cup finals in his native country in 1998.

LeRoy has also coached at the Nations Cup finals with Senegal and Congo DR, whose unheralded side he led to the quarter-finals at the most recent tournament in Egypt last year.

Now Le Roy has a chance to write his name once more into the history books with the Black Stars by returning to the winners' podium in the Nations Cup and also setting a new mark for coaches in terms of longevity and attendance at the continent's biggest competition.

LeRoy is astute enough to realise he has the makings of a team who can dominate the continent's football over the next years.

Ghana's young generation, epitomised by the world-class talents of Fenerbache midfielder Stephen Appiah and his Chelsea partner Michael 'the Bison' Essien, have been growing in stature rapidly, boosted by the confidence gained from their debut showing at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany last year.

Ghana were the only one of the five African representatives to make it past the first round and their elimination at the hands of Brazil came only after they had spurned a handful of game-winning chances.

A large banner in the stands at the final match in Berlin between Italy and France seemed to sum up the spiritual contribution of the free-attacking and stylish Ghanaians best, reading simply: 'Thanks Ghana'.

LeRoy took over after the German campaign and to date has taken his side through some testing friendly matches which have given a glimpse of the Black Stars' potential for next year's tournament.

Last year they went on a tour of Asia and won in both Japan and Korea Republic and in November held Australia to a 1-1 draw in London.

A match made in heaven

"I walked into a good team," admits the charismatic Frenchman, "they had talent and good organisation. Now our work is focused on our approach, with our wide players and our pressing the main priorities."

Their recent 4-1 win over arch-rivals Nigeria, in a match played at Griffin Park in London, brought home just how far the Ghanaians have come since the ignominy of losing out to minnows Rwanda in the qualifiers for the 2004 Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia.

Then Ghana were something of a laughing stock after the tiny central African nation beat them in the qualifiers. However, just over three years on, Ghana are now up to 19th in the latest publication of the FIFA-Coca-Cola world ranking.

They moved up from 22nd place in February and 28th at the turn of the year. At the time of their dramatic loss to Rwanda they had plummeted to 81st, but have forged a rapid recovery.

This weekend they play Austria in Graz and on Tuesday have a much-anticipated rematch with the Brazilians at the Rasunda stadium in Stockholm.

"I'm here to do my best and to work toward winning the Nations Cup in 2008," says Le Roy.

"Our target is to win the competition although we know it will be difficult. We have a lot of skilful players who are very dedicated and want to achieve something and I think they have a good chance."

LeRoy draws most of his players from the considerable entourage of Ghanaian players competing in the European leagues, but he is also keeping a close eye on domestic talent too. Recent squads have included new finds that LeRoy has uncovered.

The Frenchman has long decried what he calls 'Club Med' coaches, the growing trend of those who are based in Europe and travel to Africa for matches only.

He has long believed that the best job is served by being on site - a philosophy that looks like it is paying off.


Credit: FIFA