RSS
ATOM
advertisement
World Cup 2010: Sports Journalist Erasmus Kwaw Believes Ghana & Ivory Coast Will Fly The Flag For Africa
Ghana-based Citi Fm’s sports presenter Erasmus Kwaw shares his views with Goal.com’s Ghana correspondent K.N.S Mensah as the World Cup draws closer…
| Bet: | Returns: | Zambia £55.00 | Draw £36.00 | Cote d'Ivoire £15.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Zambia £55.00 | Draw £35.00 | Cote d'Ivoire £15.30 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Zambia £70.00 | Draw £36.00 | Cote d'Ivoire £15.71 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Zambia £75.00 | Draw £38.00 | Cote d'Ivoire £15.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Zambia £59.00 | Draw £37.50 | Cote d'Ivoire £15.00 |
|
May 13, 2010 4:42:00 PM
By K.N.S Mensah, Goal.com
In my part of the world, it appears football fans hail sports writers and presenters more than the technical abilities of coaches. As the World Cup 2010 looms in South Africa these sports journalists will become the eyes and ears of die-hard-fanatics.
Goal.com pinned down one of the regular and popular voices in sports reporting on one of the influential radio stations in Ghana, Citi Fm, to ask him his opinion on Africa’s chances at the global football showpiece.
Goal.com: How do you feel about the World Cup being staged on African soil?
Erasmus Kwaw: I feel great about the World Cup being staged in Africa for the first time. It is something that has long been overdue and perhaps it’s a way of rewarding the continent and also redressing some of the ills of the past where African teams were denied direct entry into the competition.
Goal.com: Why are you confident that South Africa can stage a successful World Cup despite fears about the crime rate?
Kwaw: The tournament has been staged in some countries in the world, who equally had high crime rates including the U.S.A. and I don’t see any reason why South Africa can’t do the same. They seem to be well equipped to deal with the influx of large numbers of people as seen in their hosting of the Confederations Cup and other big competitions like Rugby and Cricket in recent times.
Goal.com: With less than a month; do you think the African teams are really set?
Kwaw: It’s difficult to tell because most of the players are still involved in European leagues and would not get together until late May. But so are most of the other teams as well. It’s Africa's time to host the competition so the pressure is very much on the six representatives to give off their best. Cote d’Ivoire now have a new coach in charge and a very experienced one indeed but he has not been with the team long enough to know them well. Ghana is still grappling with injury and fitness concerns with less than 30 days to go. Africa is not ready yet and the last few weeks will be crucial.
Goal.com: Can the African teams survive the group stages?
Kwaw: Realistically, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are Africa’s best bet for a place at least in the quarter-finals. Algeria might have beaten the African Champions Egypt on their way to qualification; however they lack the discipline to play at the highest level especially after watching them at the Nations Cup. Cameroon seem to have lost their spark lately. I’m not sure Lars Largerback has what it takes to take the Super Eagles that far in the World Cup because their problems go beyond the dressing room.
Goal.com: Where do you see the Black Stars after the group matches?
Kwaw: It depends on the fitness of the key players especially Michael Essien and Kwadwo Asamoah. Ghana could make the quarter final if they make it out of the group stages.
Goal.com: Which of the Group D rivals of the Black Stars would be a major threat to the team?
Kwaw: Germany.
Goal.com: How can the Black Stars stand them?
Kwaw: The Stars need to be tactically disciplined on the field of play.
Goal.com: There are fears that Michael Essien might not make it to the World Cup. How would Ghana fare without him?
Kwaw: Simply put Michael Essien is irreplaceable. But in his possible absence, the Stars’ technical team needs to devise a very good tactical plan using the available players with reference to the abilities of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Kwadwo Asamoah to good effect.
Goal.com: Should Stephen Appiah be given a chance since he has not kicked a competitive ball in months now?
Kwaw: In my opinion only physically fit players should be selected for the World Cup in South Africa and Stephen Appiah does not fall into this category. Again looking at the available midfielders for the Stars team, it will be a great tragedy if one of those players is dropped for Stephen Appiah.
Become a fan of Goal.com International on Facebook! Just click onto Facebook.com/Goal to join the beautiful game's leading fan community...
Goal.com pinned down one of the regular and popular voices in sports reporting on one of the influential radio stations in Ghana, Citi Fm, to ask him his opinion on Africa’s chances at the global football showpiece.
Goal.com: How do you feel about the World Cup being staged on African soil?
Erasmus Kwaw: I feel great about the World Cup being staged in Africa for the first time. It is something that has long been overdue and perhaps it’s a way of rewarding the continent and also redressing some of the ills of the past where African teams were denied direct entry into the competition.
Goal.com: Why are you confident that South Africa can stage a successful World Cup despite fears about the crime rate?
Kwaw: The tournament has been staged in some countries in the world, who equally had high crime rates including the U.S.A. and I don’t see any reason why South Africa can’t do the same. They seem to be well equipped to deal with the influx of large numbers of people as seen in their hosting of the Confederations Cup and other big competitions like Rugby and Cricket in recent times.
Goal.com: With less than a month; do you think the African teams are really set?
Kwaw: It’s difficult to tell because most of the players are still involved in European leagues and would not get together until late May. But so are most of the other teams as well. It’s Africa's time to host the competition so the pressure is very much on the six representatives to give off their best. Cote d’Ivoire now have a new coach in charge and a very experienced one indeed but he has not been with the team long enough to know them well. Ghana is still grappling with injury and fitness concerns with less than 30 days to go. Africa is not ready yet and the last few weeks will be crucial.
Goal.com: Can the African teams survive the group stages?
Kwaw: Realistically, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are Africa’s best bet for a place at least in the quarter-finals. Algeria might have beaten the African Champions Egypt on their way to qualification; however they lack the discipline to play at the highest level especially after watching them at the Nations Cup. Cameroon seem to have lost their spark lately. I’m not sure Lars Largerback has what it takes to take the Super Eagles that far in the World Cup because their problems go beyond the dressing room.
Goal.com: Where do you see the Black Stars after the group matches?
Kwaw: It depends on the fitness of the key players especially Michael Essien and Kwadwo Asamoah. Ghana could make the quarter final if they make it out of the group stages.
Goal.com: Which of the Group D rivals of the Black Stars would be a major threat to the team?
Kwaw: Germany.
Goal.com: How can the Black Stars stand them?
Kwaw: The Stars need to be tactically disciplined on the field of play.
Goal.com: There are fears that Michael Essien might not make it to the World Cup. How would Ghana fare without him?
Kwaw: Simply put Michael Essien is irreplaceable. But in his possible absence, the Stars’ technical team needs to devise a very good tactical plan using the available players with reference to the abilities of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Kwadwo Asamoah to good effect.
Goal.com: Should Stephen Appiah be given a chance since he has not kicked a competitive ball in months now?
Kwaw: In my opinion only physically fit players should be selected for the World Cup in South Africa and Stephen Appiah does not fall into this category. Again looking at the available midfielders for the Stars team, it will be a great tragedy if one of those players is dropped for Stephen Appiah.
Become a fan of Goal.com International on Facebook! Just click onto Facebook.com/Goal to join the beautiful game's leading fan community...
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
7 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool
The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions
-
Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal
Keir Radnedge takes a trip down memory lane and concludes that the FA will continue to frustrate friend and foe alike following the England manager's resignation
-
AC Milan have one match to get back on track
The Rossoneri appeared to be building momentum ahead of the Derby della Madonnina but since losing to Inter the flaws that were evident at the start of the season have resurfaced
-
The Sweeper: Bale will not renew Spurs contract
Goal.com can also reveal that Guus Hiddink is ready to consider a return to club management and explains how West Brom's coaches are the poor relations of the Premier League
-
Why Real Madrid don't want to host the Copa final
The capital club are doing everything in their power to prevent their fiercest rivals from turning their famous ground into a Blaugrana base for the day against Athletic Bilbao
Advertisement
Advertisement
