Black Stars to be Ghana’d with Silverware? : ANC Preview

JANUARY sees the return of the African Nations Cup and Ghana will be hoping to end 20 years of disappointment at the tournament in Angola.

As one of the most skilful teams in Africa, Ghana have earned a fearsome reputation as a ruthless, athletic side. Their tournament history for the ANC (African Nations Cup) bolsters this aura. Since first competing in 1963, the Black Stars have lifted the trophy four times – in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. The sixties in particular was an era of Ghanaian domination as the side reached the final on four consecutive occasions, bringing home silverware twice.

HISTORIC: Ghana securing their last ANC trophy in 1982.

These past glories are now distant memories though. Since their 1982 victory in Libya, the Black Stars have only reached the final once. The past 18 years has also seen Ghana fail to qualify for three consecutive ANC’s (null6-90) as well as having them bow out in the first round numerous times.

Times are changing though and the 2006 World Cup showed the Black Stars rapid improvement. Ghana, the youngest team at the World Cup with an average age of 23, despatched the Czech Republic and America in the group stages before being knocked out by Brazil in the Last 16 by a flattering 3-0 score line. Despite the defeat, pundits praised Ghana as an impressive and exciting prospect, who had far outshone their African rivals.

CZECH-MATE: Ghana celebrate their unexpected 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in 2006.

This acclaim raised expectations at the 2008 ANC and the team delivered an impressive show. The Black Stars reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by Cameroon in a close 1-0 match. A 4-2 victory over rivals Ivory Coast in the third place play-off restored some pride, proving that Ghana could beat the heavyweights of African football.

Despite these highlights, Ghana will count their blessings that they are even at this month’s tournament. The second-round of qualification saw them grouped with minnows Libya, Gabon and Lesotho. What looked like a dream draw turned quickly into a nightmare. Achieving a 100% home record without conceding a goal, the Black Stars became a different team on the road. They first ground out a worrying 3-2 win against Lesotho, a team ranked 150^th in the world. This was followed by a embarrasing 2-0 loss in Gabon before an bitter 1-0 defeat in Libya. These defeats left Ghana only joint top with both Libya and Gabon, however that fantastic home record allowed them to scrape through on goal difference, ahead of Libya who had lead the table for most of qualification.

LAST GASP LOSS: Libya securing an 86th minute winner against the Black Stars in qualification.

The third-round was far more comfortable. Registering four wins out of six, Ghana overcame Benin, Mali and Sudan to become the first team to qualify for the tournament in Angola, keeping an impressive four clean sheets along the way.

COMMANDER AND CHIEF: Midfield maestro Michael Essien spearheaded the Ghanaian qualification revival

Ghana’s reward for reaching Angola first was being handed a spot in Group B, the undoubted group of death. The Black Star’s will go head to head with heavyweight Togo, tournament favourites Ivory Coast as well as plucky underdogs Burkina Faso, who were the only team to beat Ghana in the qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

Escaping Group B will be an early challenge to Ghana’s title aspirations. Togo qualified against a backdrop of disciplinary problems, overturned results and managerial switches but the Togolese, lead by striker Emmanuel Adebayor, are a match for any side, meaning Ghana Head Coach Milovan Rajevac will be keen to avoid an opening day defeat.

The Ivory Coast game will undoubtedly be the star match of Group B. The ‘Elephants’ sailed through qualifying, scoring 19 goals including 5-0 thrashings of Burkina Faso and Malawi. With a host of in-form top players, Ghana will have to be at their best to achieve victory.

Ghana’s final match will be against lowly Burkina Faso. The Stallions secured their place on the coattails of Ivory Coast’s whirlwind qualification, finishing as Group E runners-up. Their team’s lynchpin, Moumouni Dagano, finished top scorer in qualifying and the Black Stars will do well to keep 6”1’ talisman quiet. None-the-less, if they need points to assure their place in the Quarter Finals, Burkina Faso are the team to take them off.

SMILES ALL ROUND: Burkina Faso frontman Moumouni Dagano will be hoping to wipe the grin off Ghana’s face

2010 could be the year that Ghana finally taste success again. Their team boasts a string of established European players and a crop of youngsters who recently won the 2009 Under-20 World Cup. The Black Stars face a true test of their ability to go all the way this tournament, but few would be surprised if they lifted the prestigious trophy on 31 January.