Ghanaians fired up for a third World Cup thrashing of USA

Ghana’s social media space, especially facebook, is agog with heightened expectations of the country’s national team raising the flag high at its third appearance of the football World Cup.

“All other factors being equal, the Black Stars of Ghana will make an indelible impression on the football world,” wrote football pundit, Listowell Bukarson on his facebook wall.

The Black Stars’ 4-0 thrashing of South Korea in a friendly to head to the Brazil 2014 mundial has boosted moral in camp and among the citizenry.

Such was the spirit when the Black Stars progressed at the 2010 tournament in South Africa – the entire African continent was behind the Stars but unfortunately got eliminated ‘cruelly’ by Uruguay in a penalty shootout.

Interestingly, Uruguay denied Brazil the opportunity to celebrate their first world title as hosts of the tournament in 1950.

The Black Stars understand the task ahead to meet the expectations of the teeming support base across the African continent and other parts of the world.

US veteran midfielder, Kyle Beckerman, has acknowledged it will take the best of his side to beat a Ghanaian team that “looks strong, fast and technically good”.

The Americans are however confident of winning their first match against the Black Stars in one of the toughest Group G encounters in Natal on Monday, June 16.

"We can do it," a confident Kyle told the ESPN.

But Ghanaians do not regard their US as their ‘co-equals’ on the field of soccer, proudly inferring to two World Cup elimination of the Americans. Ghana defeated the United States in group play in 2006, and in the round of 16 in 2010.

Yet the Stars are not taking things lightly. Skipper Asamoah Gyan regards the first match as crucial in qualifying from the Group stage – he would not attempt letting Ghanaians and Africa down as he failed to convert a penalty kick that would have sent Ghana to the semifinals in South Africa 2010 tourney.

Gyan scored a goal against the South Koreans to indicate his drive to lead the team to lifting the World Cup. Together with Kelvin Prince Boateng and the Ayew brothers, Ghana will thrive on finishing off counter-attacking chances against the US.

Michael Essien’s inability to make it to the 2010 World Cup was described as a ‘drop in the share value’ of the soccer tournament, and his absence was a major setback to the Ghanaian team. His appearance in Brazil is expected to boost morale in camp to deliver on the expectation of Ghanaians.

FIFA rankings suggest Ghana is the underdog in talent-laden Group G, which also includes the No. 13-ranked United States, No. 2 Germany and No. 4 Portugal. But no one is likely to take the Black Stars lightly.

The match between Ghana and the United States is therefore a must win for either side if they are to progress to the next round of the competition.

Black Stars Coach, Kwasi Appiah is not oblivious of the task ahead – Ghanaians are demanding the goals to move to the finals of the game and he has already indicated the release of a new dance to celebrate a goal scoring against the United States.

Ghana would attempt to live home away from home in Brazil with a teaming fan base across the world cheering the Black Stars on to victory at the stadium.

Soccer fans in Ghana are also adoring the streets, public viewing points and other places with the Ghanaian national colours of red, gold and green as they converged to sing, chant and cheer the Black Stars to victory.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh 

Originally commissioned by Folha de S.Paulo, Brazil's largest newspaper.

http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/esporte/folhanacopa/2014/06/1470902-o-ganes-empolgados-ganeses-estao-prontos-para-eliminar-novamente-os-eua-da-copa.shtml