Ghanaian Chronicle October 11, 2000 Ebo Quansah

The news from the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday, was heart-warming. Almost all the foreign-based professionals who threatened to boycott Ghanaian international matches called off their bluff. The football exhibited told a lot about the potency of Ghana soccer.

The Stadium was jam-packed indicating that spectators are solidly behind the national team as they embark on the long road to catch up with Cameroon and Nigeria, the pace-setters in African football. From the press box, I could see that good old Osam Duodo and assistant Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio were in high spirits, signs that the good old days are not far away from being re-enacted.

There was German coach Borhof on the touchline after the final whistle and I could see national skipper C.K. Akonnor happily granting interviews to the FM stations after a good work on the pitch of play. To a very large extent, last Sunday, was good to the image of Ghana soccer. A 4-1 dismissal of COSAFA champions Zimbabwe will send a few shivers down the spines of both African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying opponents.

The Black Stars gave a good account of themselves against the rugged defensive play of the Southern African champions. But I believe they could have scored more goals if they had studied themselves well upfront and not squandered chances after chances. Skipper Akonnor, the inspirational figure in Sunday's demolition job, missed an obvious chance to put the icing on the cake in the dying minutes, Yaw Preko fluffed a golden chance by trying to shoot himself while a pass to a colleague in a better position would have been more ideal.

I think, in the second half especially, when the Zimbabweans were reduced to ten men and were visibly tiring, we should have made better use of the spaces created constantly on the left wing to grab quite a few more goals. I thought the Black Stars defence struggled a bit. The moment Kuffour got injured in the first half, he limped throughout. Stephen Baidoo was not very effective in dealing with the aerial threat of the visitors and Sam Johnson appeared too casual at times.

At times, there was not much cover for him and it was one such moments when his header fell short and Bernard Mwaruwan accepted the gift and cooly slammed the ball past 'keeper Richard Kingston to register the only goal for the visitors. The brightest spot on the field, undoubtedly was Stephen Appiah who was too hot to handle. His speed and dexterity put the Zimbabwean hatchet men in defence well exposed.

His opening goal could grace any cup final by the way he accepted responsibility under pressure and fired well off the outstretched hands of the visitors' goalkeeper. Emmanuel Duah, who got the second goal five minutes from half time, was another bright spot. His dribbling on the run created panic a number of times in the Zimbabwean defence.

So was Otto Addo, who was hacked throughout and had to be substituted at half-time Hans Sarpei, a second half substitute, was very solid. He made quite a few surging runs into the Zimbabwean half of the field and was a revelation. What does one say about Charles Amoah after scoring his fourth goal in three outings.

He knows how to make use of opportunities. One hopes he accepts more responsibilities. On the evidence of last Sunday's performance, the Black Stars can go all the way in both the Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

One hopes we give them all the support they need to reach the World Cup for the first time.