GhanaFA

Rajevac counting on experienced stars

14 years ago
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Milovan Rajevac hopes Ghana's bunch of experienced stars can prove to be influential when the World Cup kick-starts.

Ghana will be making a second appearance at the World Cup to be hosted by South Africa beginning June.

Coming from the African Nations Cup where Ghana finished second despite a serious injury crisis, the Black Stars have now turned their sights on their Group D opponents at the World Cup.

For Rajevac, the experiences of the past has provided him with some valuable lessons.

"Considering what we had to deal with before the tournament, we can consider our experiences a success. Of course we would have loved to win, but unfortunately Egypt won it. I think the players played very well throughout the event, maybe with the exception of our (group) game against Cote d’Ivoire," the Ghana coach said.

"Before the tournament, we lost key players to injury and I was forced to think very hard on our strategy. There were many valuable lessons for us. I think it is important for the team to carry the momentum forward."

The Black Stars will come up against Australia, Serbia and Germany in a tough contest as all sides seek to progress past the group stage.

A difficult campaign is expected but for Rajevac, the presence of experienced players in his team will be crucial to the Black Stars' quest in advancing in the competition.

"You are now talking about experience, and that is valuable for us. Those players are part of our plans, they are key to our ambitions," he said.

"Yes, some might say the youngsters did well in Angola, but the reality is, at the World Cup, you need a lot of experience, you need guys who are going to be able to deal with the pressure.

"We need to mix youth and experience and find the right balance. By that, I mean we must continue using the youngsters but they need guidance, they need people around them who will be able to deal with pressure and that is where players like Essien, Mensah and Appiah come in."

Ghana's Group D opener is against Serbia in Tshwane/Pretoria on June 13 before the other group games follow.