Big test for Black Stars as they play the Yankees on Monday
The Black Stars of Ghana appear set to take the World by storm as they kick start their 2014 World Cup campaign on Monday against the United States of America.
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Their confidence has come after their impressive display against South Korea where they won 4-0 in their last friendly match at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
Jordan Ayew’s hat-trick spared coach, James Kwasi Appiah, after silencing his critics of no win against a non-African side in which he lost to Japan 3-1, drew 1-1 with China, 2-2 against Turkey, as well as losing 0-1to Montenegro and the Netherlands.
The 22-year-old Sochaux attacker’s perfomance in last Monday’s game appears to be giving the head coach some headache as he weighs the option as to who must be the other striker to pair Asamoah Gyan as the regular Majeed Waris is reported to be gaining back fitness.
Between the two sides Ghana had emerged stronger in their two previous encounters at the World Cup, prevailing 2-1 on both outings and although the Black Stars stand superior in this battle they might not be third time lucky with the Yankees who are determined to break the jinx.
Sunderland hitman, Jozy Altidore, would be one key star Ghana’s central defensive pair of Jonathan Mensah and John Boye must keep a close eye on so is Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsay who are all not new to Ghana’s pattern of play.
Other experienced players in the Stars camp like Michael Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari, Andre Dede Ayew and Kevin Prince Boateng who have all played in the competition before will be key if Ghana is to qualify ahead of tournament favourites such as Germany and Portugal.
However they must be cautious of threats from Jurgen Kinsmann’s charges who are determined to give a good account of themselves by making a possitive impact in this year’s competition.
