By Thelma Yeboah

First of all, we have to acknowledge that Angola 2010 failed to live up to expectations. Organizational lapses including bad pitches but most horrific of all, the attack on the bus carrying the Togo national team by armed rebels that left some dead did the tournament no good. Togo star player and captain Emmanuel Sheyi Adebabyor and his teammates had no choice than to heed their country’s call and return home. Togo’s withdrawal threw the tournament into chaos right from the onset and Ghana were the first to feel it since the Black Stars were scheduled to have played against the neighbours to the East in our first game.

But there were pluses for the future of the African game as many sides notably our Ghana selves gave the platform to supposedly inexperienced youngsters to shine. The fusion of young and old together to form one unit is one that Cameroon also explored dropping Rigobert Song who had boasted a record eight Nations’ Cup appearances first as captain then during the course of the tournament for poor performance.

But it was the Black Stars who exhibited youth development at its best as many U-20 World Cup winning players who hitherto lacked experience in a tournament like this, took on the mantle due to the absence of key players like captain Appiah, the ill-disciplined Sulley Ali Muntari, injured Laryea Kingston, Michael Essien, John Mensah as well as John Paintsil who was arguably the most consistent Ghanaian footballer in Europe.

Togo’s withdrawal meant Ghana had to wait ten days into the tournament before playing the first game against the highly favoured and experienced Ivory Coast. Didier Drogba and company had so miserably being held goalless by Burkina Faso in their firs game and needed to beat Ghana to advance. 3-1 they did triumph over the Black Stars though the Elephants eventually ended the game with ten men after Emmanuel Eboue’s wild lunge on Opoku Agyemang earned him the red card.

The second match was tougher because not only did the Black had to win against difficult opponents in another neighbor Burkina Faso, but the game was against tall, physically imposing players. Burkina needed a draw to make it to the quarter finals but a very descent cross by one of the stars of the tournament Samuel Inkoom met the eagerly and precise head of inspirational U-20 World Cup winning captain Andre Morgan Dede Ayew. That was the only goal of the game and as will become the fashion, Ghana defended to the hilt with Germany-based Isaac Vorsah combining well with 19 year old Bechem Chelsea centre-back Lee Addy at the heart of defence.

Youngster Samuel Inkoom showed why Ghanaians’ confidence in his ability keeps rising by the day with fantastic efficiency both at right back and when attacking on the wings. Veteran Hans Adu-Sarpei also did not disappoint at left back whenever he was available though he is naturally a right-footed player.

1-0 Ghana did defeat the Angola hosts in the quarter finals, Asamoah Gyan’s early goal once again decisive for the Black Stars who will also defeat nemesis Nigeria by the identical scoreline with the same goalscorer yet again in the semis. Asamoah Gyan finally won over the confidence of Ghanaians with his three goals in Angola and there is no doubt that he remains Ghana’s chief attacking threat going into the World Cup in June.

Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, Laryea are the midfield kingpins Ghana boasts can stand up to the fight against any other national team’s midfield in world football. Well all four were absent in Angola but young Emmanuel Agyemang Badu’s confidence in the holding role even when the untiring Tony Annan could hardly feature, is very commendable. Agyemang Badu who converted the winning penalty in last year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup final, stepped unto the big stage and delivered as if he had been playing at the African Cup of Nations all his life.

There to help him and easily Ghana’s best and most assured player at Angola 2010 was Kojo Asamoah whom Agyemang Badu has now joined at Udinese in Italy. Asamoah wore the revered number 10 shirt and shown par brilliance exhibiting all the skills and flair of the chief playmaker. Crosses, freekicks, accurate passes and shots at goal, Asamoah displayed all to precision but never forgot to help in defence as the whole team, fought for one another.

Learning how to win games at this level, Haminu Dramani, Opoku Agyemang and Dede Ayew were all fantastic playing in attacking midfield but never hesitated to help with defensive duties, which was an incredible hallmark for the injury-ravaged team in Angola.

Losing the final game to Egypt through a goal that came five minutes from the final whistle of Angola 2010 was very difficult to take, but we all take consolation in the knowledge that very young players were given the opportunity to compete at such high level. The lessons so learnt and imbibed is the weapon they hold in hand in waiting for the future when they return to the Nations’ Cup. And after placing third two years ago, upping it to second in 2010, 2012 can only be the year when Ghana can end what will then become a 30 year wait to lift Africa’s grandest soccer trophy.

Many Ghanaians were optimistic of the Balck Stars beating Egypt in the final but nevertheless in defeat they are still our heroes because we all know that we did not expect them to go as far as they did in this tournament. The Egyptians’ experience showed in the end as they clinched the unprecedented third straight and record 7th African Nations’ Cup victory but the Black Stars were never disgraced and we hail the shining youngsters marshaled and led in goal by the experienced Richard Kingson AKA Oleleee.

That is why we were at the airport in our numbers to welcome them back home from Angola . Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, GFA officials, top businessmen and fans, we were all there in our numbers to say Ayekoo and welcome back home to the gallant heroes. President John Atta Mills took it a step further by hosting the team to a well deserved lunch and rewarding all 23 squad members as well as 7 officials $20,000 cash each. As loving and appreciative as always, several companies and individuals also made countless donations to the team which still continues anyway.

Personally, to conclude I must say that they were wonderful and determined to do what they did and coach Milovan Rajevac must be praised despite numerous question marks Ghanaians continue to raise against him. The future definitely is bright and we look keenly forward to when the full core of the team returns for the World Cup.

And it is true that after Angola 2010, South Africa 2010 is next and it is at the World Cup that the best players, teams and coaches in the world will be on display to prove their mettle. The draw back in December last year pitted Ghana against three time winners Germany, Australia who are making a third appearance as well as debutantes Serbia where of course our coach Milovan Rajevac hails from.

Watch this space because next time I will be assessing our opponents and chances at the World Cup. But until then join me in saying A-Y-E-E-K-OOOOOOOO to the gallant Black Stars for their wonderful show in Angola 2010. They made us proud and we are also proud of them.