Ghana flying the African pride high


For the second consecutive major tournament, after the CAF Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, Ghana have exceeded expectations, and they now stand on the brink of making African football history. The Black Stars, playing in just their second FIFA World Cup™ after Germany 2006, are a win over Uruguay away from becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

In January they went to the final of the continental championship despite using a team largely built around players from last year's FIFA U-20 World Cup winning squad after a devastating run of injuries cost them half of the regular team. Again in the run-up to South Africa, many wrote off the side after the loss of midfield talisman Michael Essien to injury, but coach Milovan Rajevac has still managed to build a unit that is solid, difficult to beat and good on the ball without being overly fussy. Along the way he has won plaudits for his tactics and team-building, and Ghana have proven themselves the most strategic and promising side on the continent.

Right coach for the right team
Ghana captain Stephen Appiah told FIFA that Rajevac, who took over the team in 2008, had won over the team with his preparation and mentality. "Tactically our coach is very smart," he said about the Serb. "He's always watching videos of the opposing team. I've seen some games that with the smallest mistake you concede a goal and you can be out of the tournament. So, he keeps on telling us that we have to be careful about how we defend, and if we get the chance to attack, then we should attack. And it shows in the games. You can see that we always score one goal – and that’s it!"

Ghana's run to the final of the AFCON was marked by three consecutive 1-0 victories with the two winners in the knockout rounds scored by Asamoah Gyan, who has found the net three times in South Africa as well – including decisive strikes against Serbia and the US. Gyan explained that the team had learned to trust the 56-year-old's choices, and he also credited him with helping the team to build positive energy.

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