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Ghana first to 2010 World Cup finals
GHANA’S 2010 World Cup invite from FIFA arrived as expected. And the invitation card, post-marked Zurich, was delivered by a hapless Sudanese team that put up an error-laden display.
That Ghana became the first African nation to qualify bar the hosts, inspired a frenzy of celebration nationwide. That the Black Stars let Sudan escape Accra with national pride intact was a bit of a dampener. The eventual 2-0 score line was flattering.
Ghana’s two goals by Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien were well-taken.
Sudan arrived in Ghana determined to turn the Black Stars’ World Cup qualification party into a wake.
Instead, the visitors gate-crashed the 40,226-seater Ohene Djan stadium with presents aplenty.
Deployed in a narrow 4-5-1 formation, they sought to suffocate the midfield and deprive Ghana’s celebrated trio of Essien, Stephen Appiah and Muntari space in which to cast their spells.
Then, Nasreldin Abdalla’s 14th minute lapse in concentration left Muntari with enough time to pick his spot, draft a personal will and slot past goalkeeper Hafez Mustafa for Ghana’s opener. From then on, Sudan’s resistance was on life support.
Just minutes after recess, Ghana stretched its lead through another gift.
A routine ball into the box inspired needless alarm within the visitors’ ranks, provoking a bungled clearance.
Duly teed up, Essien’s net-seeking missile was true enough to elude the despairing dive of Mustafa and nestle into the bottom corner. This match, as a contest, was now over; and the celebrations began in earnest.
“The team stuck to the script,” remarked Ghana coach, Milo Rajevac. “They kept the ball well and did enough to ensure qualification. Now the hard work begins.”
Indeed!
It’s doubtful Ghana will face easier assignments than Sudan at the World Cup proper. But if Rajevac sharpens his ponderous attack and tightens the defence, this Ghanaian team is sprinkled with enough star dust in midfield to cause an upset or three in South Africa.
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