Viva Espana

Well done to Spain, worthy winners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Thanks for following the Sandlanders blog this past month, we will be back to reporting on African football from now until 2014 when Brazil are the next to host what may well be the greatest show on earth!

FIFA World Cup 2010 Final Spain v Holland

Good look to both finalists tomorrow as an amazing month of football comes to a close. Ghana have broken new ground and helped bring the tournament to life for Africa but tomorrow is all about the two teams who have gone all the way. Spain have probably been the best team in the world for a few years now and will hope to prevail but this has been an interesting tournament and anything can happen!

Black Stars visit the Mandelas

Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (Uruguay win 4-2 on pens)

A mighty effort from the Black Stars, well done on a great performance.

Dominic Adiyiah was unjustly denied the goal that would have given Africa its first semi-finalists but as Coach Milo repeatedly said after the game "that's football".



Picture: Ivan Sekretarev / AP

Ghana vs Uruguay: Moment of history for Ghana and Africa

South African fans will be blowing their vuvuzelas for the Black Stars of Africa Picture credit: mtnfootball.com

It's less than 22 hours to Ghana's first ever quarter-final match in the FIFA world cup competition. Over here in Ghana, local football fans are waiting, with anxious optimism, for the historic duel between their beloved black stars and two-time champions, Uruguay. The wishes, prayers and dreams of Ghanaians have diffused into their social media conversations. On twitter, many are expressing their expectations for a potential Ghana win using the #whenghanawinstomorrow hash tag.

Ghanaians are not the only ones interested in the match. The whole of Africa, including some of the continent's top players, coaches and soccer pundits, have united resolutely behind the team to ensure that they become the first from the continent to cross the quarter-final threshold of the global tourney. Former South African president, Thabo Mbeki sent an official message to the team, via the GFA, to demonstrate his support. Re-christening the team Black Stars of Africa, Mbeki sees this match as one not just for Ghana but the whole continent, stating that:

It is clear that the Black Stars will now have to discharge the highly honourable and well deserved responsibility to represent Africa and the African Diaspora in the next stages of the World Cup.

The Uruguayans are also bracing themselves for action. Their head coach sees the match as an opportunity to restore his country's place among the global footballing elite. He's wary of the youthfulness and hunger of the Ghanaian team, and is fully aware of the threat that Ghana poses to their world cup aspirations:

Ghana is a country that is coming closer to elite football,” he said. “They have young payers with a lot of experience. They can be the first African team in the semifinals, so from the point of view of motivation I think the Ghana team is going to be very strong.

This match promises to be one of action, power and competition to the end. This is certainly a match of destiny for the Black Stars of Ghana and Africa and we're supporting them all the way. Oseeey Ghana!

Ghana 2-1 USA

History was made tonight as Ghana became only the third African nation to qualify for the last 8 at a World Cup. It was another resilient performance from the Black Stars who scored first through Kevin Prince-Boateng and an extra-time goal by Asamoah Gyan (his third of the tournament) gave Ghana the win. They now face the challenge of keeping prolific Uruguayans Forlan and Suarez quiet next Friday but if the game is won in midfield rather than attack then expect Ghana to prevail.



Gyan mobbed by Captain Appiah and the other Black Stars after scoring his stunning winner

Ghana v USA

Good luck to Ghana tonight in one of the biggest games in their footballing history. For the second successive World Cup the Black Stars have made it through to the last 16. Last time around they lost valiantly against Brazil but on this occasion the challenge of the USA is undeniably weaker. There are no easy games at this level of course but Ghana will feel like genuine contenders going into the game and will be hopeful of reaching a historic quarter-final. Go Ghana Black Stars we are praying for you!



Paintsil celebrates qualification despite defeat to Germany.

Picture Credit: Gero Breloer/AP

World Cup 2010: Images From Ghana

The world cup may be taking place in far away South Africa but it's presence can be felt everywhere one goes in Ghana. The colours of the national flag, red, gold, green and black star adorn shops, vehicles and human bodies when the black stars play. Thanks to budding Ghana photographer, Kafuiday, we have some amazing shots of the sights, allowing us to feel the world cup tempo in Ghana. Follow @kafuiday on twitter or like her facebook page.

Cyclists warming up for the black stars match

Beauty all around-in the colours, the people and the support

Souvenirs on sale at Osu Oxford street

There's no way that these kiddy supporters will be left out!

Oxford street, Osu awash with teeming football fans

South American Class

It is rather crass to group very different countries together when describing World Cup performance but we've all been doing it. So far Europe has been in disarray, Africa has been disappointing, South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay etc) has been superb and the rest of the world has been mediocre as expected. We look forward to seeing more fluid movement, tactical savvy, great passing and clinical finishing from the classy South Americans.

Ghana 1-1 Australia

It's easy to forget that Ghana top their group after what feels like a wasted opportunity. 1-1 against Australia is no disgrace but given that the Aussies were down to 10 men and Ghana have a tough game against Germany on Wednesday, the Black Stars have been given a tough time by the local press. Still, qualification is in Ghana's hands. Win or draw against Germany on Wednesday and they will qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup for the second successive time. Go Ghana Black Stars!

Drogba to start v Brazil?

This is a huge game for Ivory Coast and we wish them well. Sven interview claiming Drogba could start below.

Argentina turn up the heat

With first game nerves out of the way the World Cup is starting to warm up nicely and today Argentina really turned up the heat with a Messi/Higuain/Tevez/Aguero inspired 4-1 over South Korea. Elsewhere Mexico earned themselves a lot of credit with a deserved win over France and Nigeria suffered disappointment against Greece.



Picture credit: Associated Press

Africa Rising?

The first round of matches at Africa's first World Cup has perhaps been a little disappointing for its representatives. Defeats for Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria and draws for South Africa and Ivory Coast have left African fans wanting more and only Ghana have fully delivered with Sunday's victory over Serbia.

In fairness, few sides have lit up the tournament to date but we are already starting to wonder which African sides will make it out of the group stages. Algeria probably won't, Bafana Bafana face an uphill struggle with games to come against Uruguay and France and Cameroon and Nigeria are already 3 points adrift in their respective groups.

At this stage the hopes of Ghana and Ivory Coast look strongest though Ivory Coast may need to get a result against Brazil and to dominate resilient North Korea to make it through. For Ghana, their challenge is to beat Australia on Saturday. Do this and they will be almost guaranteed a place in the last 16 and a potential match-up with England. Lofty expectations for the Black Stars and we hope they continue to light up Africa's prospects this year.

Ghana 1-0 Serbia

Asamoah Gyan's penalty made Ghana the first African winners in the first tournament held on the continent. Crazy as the handball that led to the penalty was, Ghana were solid throughout and put themselves in the position to win. With Australia 4-0 down to Germany at the time of writing, victory over the Aussies next Saturday could well put the Black Stars into the second round. Go Ghana!

The Dilemma of Milo

Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac, quite predictably, is excited at the prospect of coaching a world cup team for the first time. However, there must be a lot going on in the shrewd tactician's mind as the Black Stars get ready to face Serbia in their first game in South Africa 2010.

Unusual situation as Ghana faces his native Serbia

In an article published on fifa.com, Rajevac acknowledged the fact that he was in a difficult situation, but insists that his complete allegiance is with Ghana.

"For the first match of the World Cup my role is unusual because we will be playing against my country and I'm the coach of Ghana. This is a very difficult situation for me but I'm a professional and I will concentrate on the game,"he said.

Indeed, nothing less will be expected from the Serbian as he will be expected to bring his native knowledge of the Serbian game to bear on the Black Stars tactical strategy. It will be recalled that Bruno Metsu, coach of Senegal in the 2002 world cup in Japan/Korea led the Terranga Lions to upset his native France in the first match of that competition.

Who makes the starting line-up?

While it is easy to guess which players will feature for Ghana in goal, defence and attack, Ghana's starting midfield pretty much remains a mystery. The absence of enforcer Michael Essien leaves behind the question of a worthy replacement. There have been some expreriments but Rajevac is still shuffling his cards at the last minute. For now expect Anthony Annan and Kwadwo Asamoah to be assured of starting places. Also any of the following may start against Serbia: Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Derek Boateng, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andre Ayew and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.

4-5-1 or 4-4-2?

Perhaps, Milo's player selection difficulties will be settled if he's fixed on a tactical formation. He prefers, and has achieved results, playing with two holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders and one attacker. However this limits the fluidity of the game as well as goal-scoring opportunities. Ghanaian players seem to be at home with a 4-4-2 formation, having an extra striker to support lead striker, Asamoah Gyan. Whatever the coach settles on, expect several exhibitions of tactical trickery as he does battle with fellow Serbian, pal and expert trainer Radomir Antic.

Key game

Ghana is gradually warming up to the world cup after the exciting displays of the last two days. Everyone is looking forward to tomorrow's match as they believe it holds the key to the country's future in the tournament. Keta Sandlanders is solidly behind the team and hope that they will overcome Serbia tomorrow. Good luck, boys!

Picture credit. ghanafa.org

Sandlanders World Cup Favourites

Continuing our theme of selecting the best moments from each day in South Africa here is our top three from the opening day of World Cup 2010. A great start to the tournament, well done South Africa.

Number 1 has to be Siphiwe Tshabalala's stunning strike in South Africa's historic opening game. What a goal and what a celebration. Football for the rest of the day fizzed a bit but Tshabalala sent a nation into a frenzy.



Number 2 Bafana Bafana fans. Crazy, colourful and passionate like any good football fans, these supporters have the ability to turn the tournament into something special. If they stay enthused even if South Africa don't make it out of the group the tournament will thrive.



Number 3 takes us to Argentina's training camp and an insight into the mad world of Diego Armando Maradona. We remember playing football with this forfeit at school but didn't realise the stars of today faced the same indignities. Messi's employers Barcelona will wince at this.

Sandlanders World Cup Favourites

The three best things we've seen at the World Cup today. As the tournament goes on please lend your comments and suggestions.

Number One - Desmond Tutu. A great man and servant of his country sporting a patriotic outfit at the World Cup Kick-Off Celebration.



Number 2 - Cape Town's remarkable Green Point Stadium. South Africa's stadiums will be a huge asset to the tournament. As well as offering amazing views the fibreglass structure will change colour as the light changes. Expect pink in the early evening and orange at sunset.



Number 3 - K'Naan (again at the World Cup Kick-Off Celebration) for performing the most memorable World Cup song this year.

Continuity Ghana's Secret Weapon

Ghana's second successive World Cup campaign begins in just 5 days time against Serbia and they will be hoping to equal their last 16 performance of 2006. This is of course only Ghana's second appearance of all time and comes hot on the heels of an U-20 World Cup victory over Brazil and Nations Cup final appearance.



All of this recent success has left us asking why now and why Ghana? There are of course countless reasons why. Ghana has always produced talented players and more recently these players have benefited from improvements in conditions in sport and in general in Ghana. Nutrition, training techniques, sponsorship and facilities have all improved and the Black Stars are probably stronger now than they have ever been. Development for a young Ghanaian footballer is still tough but it's better.

These are broad developments into which we could go into in great depth but the one factor we have singled out that has helped the Black Stars recently is continuity. Continuity in playing staff and management.

The same core of players that led Ghana through 2006 are still there now. Essien, Muntari, Mensah, Appiah, Gyan and Paintsil have all suffered injury woes recently(most devastating for Ghana's chances this time around Essien's failure to make the tournament) but they have all been involved for the last 4 years. As well as playing their own part they have also been bringing the next generation (pictured above) through - Inkoom, Vorsah, Asamoah, Ayew and Adiyiah will all grow in stature during the World Cup.

In management, Milovan Rajevac is new since 2006 but Ghana's Coach on that occasion was also an understated Serb. There was ludicrous talk recently of Jose Mourinho having some say in Ghana's set up during this World Cup but special as Mourinho is, any role with the Black Stars on a part time basis would have been highly disruptive and quite possibly damaging. It is yet to be seen how well the new, high profile coaches of Nigeria and Ivory Coast will do in South Africa but we wouldn't mind betting that both countries would do better with a coach with years rather than weeks to prepare.

Continuity has bound the Black Stars together in recent years and should serve them well in the future as the U-20 side matures. We hope that the formula brings success and sets an example throughout African football that patience is a virtue and keeping a side together can be for the best.

Ghana Getting Ready for World Cup 2010

Disturbing stadium construction strikes, elegant musical compositions and dramatic squad announcements were some of the events that preoccupied many a football fan across the world in the run-up to this year's FIFA World Cup. With the clock finally ticking down to Africa's very first tournament, dubbed WOZA by the South African locals, followers of the world's most popular game are bracing themselves to scream, blow (their vuvuzelas) and retweet. Here's what the pre-world cup temperature in football-crazy Ghana is like.

Massive preparations

Various TV stations have adorned their walls with giant pictures of the national team, the Black Stars, and it's stars like Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari and the injured Michael Essien. A few reality shows aimed at stimulating the interest of football fans in the tournament have also been lined up. In addition, Corporate organisations, especially communication companies, are clamouring for attention with different football- themed messages. They have giant billboards and ads on both TV and radio that're competing to occupy advertising space. The most innovative campaign I've seen is Zain's use of new media to engage football fans through the Zfootballmania twitter page.

Football fans, who do not want to be left out of the action have been psyching themselves up for the tournament. I saw fans participating in floats through some of Accra's streets in organised trucks. You won't be wrong to expect more from these fans if Ghana churns out a good performance at the mundial. Already, there are media reports that Ghana is sending the largest contingent of African football fans to the tournament outdoing bigger nations like Nigeria and France.

Injury problems, selection controversies

Champions league winner, Sulley Muntari, and Chelsea ace, Michael Essien, both have injury worries. While Muntari is sure to play in the tournament, Essien will be completely missing on the pitch in South Africa. His injury is a major talking point here as his coordinating role in Ghana's power midfield play will be sorely missed. However, pundits believe the effect of his absence can be minimised or even nullified completely with the right strategy. Dzidodo Reuben Adjahoe of Keta-based Jubilee radio sums up this mood via his facebook page:

This man would have brought so much to our team at the mundial. His commanding presence alone can turn around games but with what i have seen am positive Rajevac will work out something in his absence. Get well soon bruv and make a grand return though it will be sad to see u play against us next season (Dzidodo being an Arsenal fan).

Another talking point is the exclusion of former staple, Laryea Kingston from the team. Laryea's absence has infuriated not only his fans but also his mother who has protested strongly to the Ghanaian sporting authorities. Not every Ghanaian football fan thinks Bra Laryea deserves a place in the team, however. Mighty African writes:

He could have disturbed the chemistry in camp. The boys have been together and I know they are shiing jama at this very moment waiting to go do Ghana and Africa proud. They need the fans to believe with them and support them in prayer.

The good news is that all the newcomers to Ghana's world cup team are young talented, energetic and vibrant combatants who have already proven themselves at various levels. The exciting Kwadwo Asamoah and Dede Ayew, for example will be secret weapons in coach Milovan Rajevac's attacking strategy. There are also the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Isaac Vorsah and Anthony Annan, who will hopefully be major revelations to the world during the tournament.

The fever's there but not so high

In spite of the preparations, the world cup fever has not quite caught on yet. This may be due to the fact that Ghana is so far from the action spot proper or just that the tournament itself has to start before football fans get engaged. Football fans are not so anxious like 2006 when Ghana played in the world cup for the first time. They're suspicious about Ghana's chances in a group that includes Germany, Serbia and Australia, especially in the face of the team's performance in its trial matches. Optimistic Mighty African thinks this should not be the case:

Before the start of the 2006 World Cup, many Black Stars' fans were worried about our preparations. We had had below-par friendlies. But I believed that when the boys camped together and built chemistry, they'll do well. And we saw how they made Africa proud in 2006.

Indeed the mighty Black Stars of Ghana and Africa will make the continent proud in characteristic fashion. I'd bet a lot will depend on that match against Serbia on 13th June. When the stars start on a good note, the fans are sure to put up many thrilling and enchanting displays to reflect the colour passion, music and beauty that always been at the heart of the Ghanaian football experience and hold the world spellbound Tsoboi!

Image borrowed from bbc.com

World Cup 2010: 5 Ghanaians to Watch

Sandlanders Blog is back for the World Cup. Between now and the end of the tournament we will be blogging and tweeting together with Gamelmag to bring you a unique perspective on the tournament from Ghana.

In the first of our new blog series we profile 5 Ghanaian players to watch during the tournament. With Essien out, Muntari (at the time of writing) stuggling to make the first game and Mensah, Paintsil and Appiah just back after lengthy injury absences, new Black Stars will have to emerge if Ghana are to advance. Some of our choices will be better known to foreign fans than others but they will all benefit from playing on the world's greatest stage.

Let us know what you think of our picks.

1. Isaac Vorsah

The giant 21 year old centre-back was impressive at the African Nations Cup earlier this year. Standing at 6"5 he will line up alongside the equally imposing John Mensah in a formidable back line. Currently playing for Hoffenheim in Germany, he is being tracked by several English Premier League clubs.



2. Dede Ayew

Son of the great Abedi Pele, Dede Ayew captained Ghana's U-20 side to World Cup glory last year. He is just 20 years old and though on Marseille's books has been loaned out to lower league clubs in France for the past couple of years. Matured a lot during the World Cup winning run and during the Nations Cup. Competition for places in Ghana's midfield is tough but he will show his class if given game time.



3. Kwadwo Asamoah

Our tip to be Ghana's player of the tournament. Hard working and talented left/centre midfielder he is again only 21 years old. Currently playing for Udinese, he looks set to follow the footsteps of the equally dynamic Muntari and it will not be long before he moves to one of Europe's bigger clubs.



4. Kevin Prince-Boateng

Only made his debut yesterday against Latvia but looked instantly comfortable. Performances with Portsmouth this year have shown him to be versatile and tough and he may be deployed in a holding role for Ghana with Appiah not yet himself.



5. Dominic Adiyiah

Top scorer in last year's U-20 World Cup win Adiyiah was also awarded player of the tournament and has since moved to Italian giants Milan. Do not expect Adiyiah to start (Asamoah Gyan is still rightly Ghana's first choice striker and he may be supported by Kwadwo Asamoah in an advanced midfield role) but could prove a great impact sub if he gets the opportunity. Another one for the future.