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African Cup Of Nations Team Profile: Ghana
Goal.com takes a look at one of African Cup of Nations favourite Ghana, as the side hopes to use the tournament to send a message to its World Cup opponent.
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Dec 25, 2009 3:30:25 PM
World Cup Appearances: 1 (Germany 2006)
AFCON Appearances: 16 (1963, 1965,1968,1970,1978,1980,1982,1984,1992,1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2006,2008)
AFCON titles: Four (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)
Ghana nicknamed The Black Stars was ranked the 13th Best Nation out of 32 countries that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. It was the maiden appearance of the West African State since the World Cup commenced in 1930.
The Black Stars are four times champions of the African Cup of Nations – 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. They were bronze medalists at the last tournament on home soil in 2008. As the first African nation to qualify for the 2010 World and African Cups the West Africans would be looking forward to make an instant impression to sustain the love of the fans.
Ghana is at the moment not a dominant force on the African continent but memories of the 2006 World Cup make her an opponent to fear in any given competition. The team’s qualification for Angola and South Africa 2010 was smooth with almost a 100% clean sheet.
The Coach Rajevac side which affiliated to FIFA and CAF in 1958 faces an all-West African side in Group B of the next Nations Cup. World Cup 2010 bound Ivory Coast would lock horns with their fellow West African giants as the latter tries to seek a revenge of the 2008 AFCON third place playoff. That game ended in a lovely 4:2 win for Ghana and a tragic loss for the Ivorians.
They would not have it easy coming face to face with the Hawks of Togo that has never won the trophy in its life time before and its northern neighbours Burkina Faso.
A star-studded Ghana team would be seeking to make history in Portuguese speaking Angola to restore its pride since it last lifted the prestigious trophy 27 years ago.
Road to qualification:
Ghana was the first African team to qualify after winning its first four matches against Benin, Mali and Sudan twice without conceding a goal. Benin broke the Black Stars winning streak with a 1-0 win in the second leg. It ended the qualifications in a two all draw game with Mali.
Coach:
Milovan RajevacHe assumed this daunting post in August 2008 from Frenchman Claude Le Roy. The 55-year-old was handling provincial club FK Borak through the UEFA cup qualifiers before coming to Africa. Most of his career life has been in his homeland Serbia with Red Star Belgrade being the highest-profile club he managed.
Star Player: Michael Essien
The 28-year-old has been extremely instrumental in the midfield of the national team and at his club Chelsea. As a result of his energy and drive he has earned for himself several nick names – ‘The Midfield Power house’, and ‘The Bison’ among others. He makes a way when there seems to be no way. His excellent and awe inspiring goals have saved Ghana in several tournaments. The sometimes box-to-box midfielder is a perennial nominee for the FIFA World Player of the Year award but has never tasted the dream of all players. However, he has won several awards in his life.
Young Gun: Dominic Adiyiah
He was the Best Player of the U-20 World Cup championship in Egypt. The youngster was also the top scorer with eight goals in that same tournament. His sterling performance earned him an opportunity to join AC Milan when the transfer window opens in January 2010. He is the foot to watch for most goalkeepers in the upcoming tournament.
Objective:
The Black Stars know that making a huge impact in Angola 2010 boosts their chances of cowering their potential opponents at the World Cup. As one of the six representing Africa at the world fiesta going beyond the knock out stages and hopefully bringing the cup home would justify their qualification. They have an uphill task on their heads and it would be disastrous for them to pack bags and luggage beyond the group stages.
Prediction:
They stand a good chance to move beyond the group stages. They might intimidate their opponents especially Togo and Burkina Faso with their clout as World Cup representatives. Ghana and Ivory Coast are Group B favourites but football is full of surprises these days.
Did you know?
*Ghana’s biggest win was against Kenya 13:0 in 1965
*Ghana’s biggest defeat was against Brazil 8:2 in 1996
AFCON Appearances: 16 (1963, 1965,1968,1970,1978,1980,1982,1984,1992,1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2006,2008)
AFCON titles: Four (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)
Ghana nicknamed The Black Stars was ranked the 13th Best Nation out of 32 countries that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. It was the maiden appearance of the West African State since the World Cup commenced in 1930.
The Black Stars are four times champions of the African Cup of Nations – 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. They were bronze medalists at the last tournament on home soil in 2008. As the first African nation to qualify for the 2010 World and African Cups the West Africans would be looking forward to make an instant impression to sustain the love of the fans.
Ghana is at the moment not a dominant force on the African continent but memories of the 2006 World Cup make her an opponent to fear in any given competition. The team’s qualification for Angola and South Africa 2010 was smooth with almost a 100% clean sheet.
The Coach Rajevac side which affiliated to FIFA and CAF in 1958 faces an all-West African side in Group B of the next Nations Cup. World Cup 2010 bound Ivory Coast would lock horns with their fellow West African giants as the latter tries to seek a revenge of the 2008 AFCON third place playoff. That game ended in a lovely 4:2 win for Ghana and a tragic loss for the Ivorians.
They would not have it easy coming face to face with the Hawks of Togo that has never won the trophy in its life time before and its northern neighbours Burkina Faso.
A star-studded Ghana team would be seeking to make history in Portuguese speaking Angola to restore its pride since it last lifted the prestigious trophy 27 years ago.
Road to qualification:
Ghana was the first African team to qualify after winning its first four matches against Benin, Mali and Sudan twice without conceding a goal. Benin broke the Black Stars winning streak with a 1-0 win in the second leg. It ended the qualifications in a two all draw game with Mali.
Coach:
Milovan RajevacHe assumed this daunting post in August 2008 from Frenchman Claude Le Roy. The 55-year-old was handling provincial club FK Borak through the UEFA cup qualifiers before coming to Africa. Most of his career life has been in his homeland Serbia with Red Star Belgrade being the highest-profile club he managed.
Star Player: Michael Essien
The 28-year-old has been extremely instrumental in the midfield of the national team and at his club Chelsea. As a result of his energy and drive he has earned for himself several nick names – ‘The Midfield Power house’, and ‘The Bison’ among others. He makes a way when there seems to be no way. His excellent and awe inspiring goals have saved Ghana in several tournaments. The sometimes box-to-box midfielder is a perennial nominee for the FIFA World Player of the Year award but has never tasted the dream of all players. However, he has won several awards in his life.
Young Gun: Dominic Adiyiah
He was the Best Player of the U-20 World Cup championship in Egypt. The youngster was also the top scorer with eight goals in that same tournament. His sterling performance earned him an opportunity to join AC Milan when the transfer window opens in January 2010. He is the foot to watch for most goalkeepers in the upcoming tournament.
Objective:
The Black Stars know that making a huge impact in Angola 2010 boosts their chances of cowering their potential opponents at the World Cup. As one of the six representing Africa at the world fiesta going beyond the knock out stages and hopefully bringing the cup home would justify their qualification. They have an uphill task on their heads and it would be disastrous for them to pack bags and luggage beyond the group stages.
Prediction:
They stand a good chance to move beyond the group stages. They might intimidate their opponents especially Togo and Burkina Faso with their clout as World Cup representatives. Ghana and Ivory Coast are Group B favourites but football is full of surprises these days.
Did you know?
*Ghana’s biggest win was against Kenya 13:0 in 1965
*Ghana’s biggest defeat was against Brazil 8:2 in 1996
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|
| 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 |
|
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