Serious Business For Bosnia-Herzegovina

This is serious business for the Eastern European side although they did not qualify South Africa 2010. They know they have a lot to prove as they face their West African counterparts who came close to breaking the unbeaten record of the reigning African champions – Egypt.

Coach Safet Susic has announced a star-studded side for the March 3 friendly against the four-time champions of Africa.

They are coming with two of the most feared strikers in the German Bundesliga for the Sarajevo encounter.

Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who has 14 goals in 30 appearances and Hoffenheim forward Vedad Ibisevic were named in the 20-man squad to face Ghana. Dzeko was a major factor in Wolfsburg lifting the Bundesliga title last season while Ibisevic is famed for his performances for Hoffenheim.

The Bosnia list contains several other players playing for top European clubs which Ghana must welcome as good news. The strong Bosnia squad will be a litmus test for the Black Stars as they prepare to face Germany, Serbia and Australia in Group D of the 2010 World Cup.

Rajevac’s “Luck” To Be Tested

It is an important warm-up game for World Cup finalists Ghana ahead of the global football fiesta in South Africa. The West African nation have carved a niche for themselves at the just ended African Nations Cup in Angola. They took a rather inexperience team to the biennial event and ended second to the surprise of many football pundits.

A win is a must for Serbian trainer Milovan Rajevac after gambling with the football emotions of Ghanaians and produced great dividends. He varied the style of his game and his strategies and formation worked in his favour.

Rajevac was reported to have been named the best tactician of Angola 2010 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and would be happy to keep that feat.

The Black Stars will be playing with a much experienced unit this time and most of their followers will expect them to show class and prove to the rest of the world why they deserve to be among Africa’s best six at the global fiesta on home soil.

TEAM NEWS

Bosnia

Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who has 14 goals in 30 appearances and Hoffenheim forward Vedad Ibisevic will be available to give Ghana a run for their money.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kenan Hasagic (Istanbul BB SK), Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)

Defenders: Emir Spahic (Montpellier Herault SC), Safet Nadarevic (FC Eskisehispor), Sanel Jahic (AEK Athens), Boris Pandza (Hajduk Split), Dzemal Berberovic (FC Denizlispor)

Midfielders: Zvjezdan Misimovic (VfL Wolfsburg), Samir Muratovic (Sturm Graz), Elvir Rahimic (CSKA Moscow), Dario Damjanovic (FC Kaiserslautern), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Miralem Pjanic (Olympique Lyon), Haris Medunjanin (Valladolid)

Attackers: Edin Dzeko (VfL Wolfsburg), Zlatan Muslimovic (PAOK FC), Vedad Ibisevic (Hoffenheim), Admir Vladavic (Red Bull Salzburg), Ermin Zec (NK Sibenik), Senijad Ibricic (Hajduk Split)

Ghana

Isaac Vorsah, Opoku Agyemang, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Haminu Draman were all originally billed to have joined the team but injuries and poor health has forced them out of the friendly. Prodigal son Sulley Muntari is back and will boost the midfield.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan Athletic, England) Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals, Ghana)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Basel, Switzerland), David Addy (FC Porto, Portugal), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea, Ghana), Jonathan Mensah (Grananda, Spain) Ibrahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt).

Midfielders: Sulley Muntari (Inter, Italy), Derek Boateng (Getafe, Spain), Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway) Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Andre Ayew, (Arles Avignon, France)

Strikers: Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim, Germany), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Yaw Antwi, (FK Napredak Krusevac, Serbia).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bosnia

Edin Dzeko, has been in very good form at Wolfsburg where he has hit the back of the net for 14 times in 30 appearances. He played a crucial role for last year's Bundesliga victory. He will be looking forward to punch holes into the gloves of goal stopper Richard Kingson.
 
Ghana

Sulley Muntari, who plays in Italy for Inter, is set to inject a lot of vibrancy to the midfield of the West African side. His left-footed pile drivers and powerful free-kicks will be tested in this international game as he returns from injury and tries to impress the coach.  


PREDICTION

This is the first time the two sides are meeting and it would be difficult to call the outcome. It is anybody’s game but a win for Ghana would boost their morale ahead of the fiesta.

Bosnia 2–2 Ghana