An exciting 2010 World Cup in South Africa is expected as the world’s big soccer nations line up on the African continent this June to compete.
The star cast would be drawn from the Americas to Australia but in between, Africa and its six representatives with a host of talented stars would be expected to leave a lasting impression at the tournament to be held for the first time on the continent.
Africa’s gradual progress at the competition largely dominated by Europe and South America would be tested once again.
From an exhilarating African Nations Cup, the continents emerging story is certainly traced to the West African nation of Ghana.
Ghana, who would be making their second successive appearance at the competition came close to winning their fifth continental showpiece but lost in the finals to Egypt in Angola.
The story at the African Nations Cup reveals a side without more than half the regular starting team, defy all pre-tournament predictions to reach the finals with twelve debutants which included eight members of the 2009 FIFA U-20 gold winning side.
After a difficult start with defeat to Ivory Coast, Ghana rode on to win their next three matches beating Burkina Faso, hosts Angola and Nigeria by the same score of 1-0 to guarantee a place in the finals.
“Many did not give us [team] a chance and that was understandable because of the many injuries that hit the team.
“Some didn’t have confidence that the youngsters could step in and live up to expectation. But they’ve proved skeptics wrong,” Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi said on the team’s arrival on Monday.
Having proved their skeptics wrong is just one task completed with the World Cup barely four months away.
Ghana are in Group D at the World Cup with Serbia, Australia and Germany. This is certainly a tough group for the four-time African Champions, who reached the round of 16 in their debut tournament four years ago in Germany.
Work ethic for World Cup
The work ethic imbibed into the team by Milovan Rajevac and the efficient all-round tactical performance of the players at the Nations Cup has given the FA President, the conviction that the Black Stars will be rocking the World Cup again as other experienced players are welcomed back from injury.
“We may not be that happy but the team’s performance all the way to the finals and their tactical approach in such circumstances evokes confidence for a bright future,” an optimistic Nyantakyi said.
“Now, we can prepare for the World Cup and I am convinced that the players have justified their inclusion.
“And given what happened [performance], the Black Stars would the team to watch at the World Cup,” said the GFA President as he talked up Ghana’s chances ahead of the World Cup.
The team's rise bodes well for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa, as Rajevac counts on the priceless experiences picked up by his young squad.
“They have exceeded all expectations. This is a young team. They were at this tournament to learn, and I think most of them have emerged better players. This has given them priceless exposure to international football and the demands of competing in big tournaments.”
Ghana would open their campaign at the World Cup against Serbia on June 13 before taking on Australia six days later then round up the group stage with a clash against Germany on June 23.
