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| Likuena... Time to shine |
It is the worst draw we could have had.
Even African champions Zambia on the
first day would have been better.
Ghana, at home, in Kumasi – a football-mad
city – is a daunting task if there ever was one.
Add to that, the Black Stars are still smarting
from their supposed 2012 Africa Cup of Nations under-performance and, looking
to redeem themselves, are hell-bent on qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in
Brazil. No doubt then, Ghana will regard Lesotho as the best possible
opposition to get off to a flying start.
Fifa’s rankings would certainly support
this notion. Ghana is ranked second in Africa and 22nd in the world while
Lesotho is 43rd on the continent and 163rd worldwide. Lesotho’s last sojourn
into Fifa’s World Cup qualifiers in 2008, meanwhile, didn’t go so well. Six
games, six losses, two goals scored and 18 conceded was Lesotho’s rather
depressing rap sheet.
So, is there any
hope for Likuena?
There is always
hope.
One thing I
would start by saying is Likuena’s players have to view this World Cup
qualifying campaign as a once in a lifetime chance to be noticed, and thus hopefully
advance their football careers.
The fact Steve Komphela, coach of South
African Premiership side Free State Stars, was reportedly in attendance during
last Wednesday’s friendly against Botswana is testament to the fact that
throughout this six-game campaign, which starts tomorrow and ends next
September, interested eyes will be peeled on matches involving Lesotho.
Ghana for sure is a renowned team with several
players currently being chased by the biggest clubs in the world – Kwadwo
Asamoah, reportedly coveted by English giants Manchester United, is a prime
example. It is therefore not far-fetched to assume representatives of the world’s
top club sides will either be in Kumasi tomorrow evening, or at least watching
the Black Stars-Likuena showdown wherever it will be broadcast.
For Lesotho’s players then, this is an opportunity
to hijack the world’s attention. For Bokang Mothoana for example, who until
recently was a regular in North Africa’s top leagues, this is a chance to
perhaps make the breakthrough across the pond to Europe.
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| Kwadwo Asamoah, one of Ghana's litany of stars |
That is the first motivation.
The second is to make history.
Tomorrow’s game will no doubt be a
physical one.
Speaking to Likuena coach Leslie Notši a
while back, he spoke of how tough Lesotho’s last visit to Ghana was. On that
occasion, another World Cup qualifier, the score was 3-0 to the Black Stars in
a match played in Accra in 2008. Likuena’s opponents were quick and strong, and
furthermore, tried to intimidate Lesotho, Notši, then an assist to Zavisa Milosavljević,
said.
This is to be expected.
It is the way in Africa – it is not only
the survival of the fittest but of the bravest.
Likuena’s players have to be prepared
for this facet of the game.
Nevertheless, regardless of their
physical prowess, home advantage and various other perceived positives in
Ghana’s favour, there are factors that put the hosts in a disadvantageous
position.
Ghana simply hasn’t had a lot of game
time since February’s Afcon. This will be the first game under new coach Kwesi
Appiah and added to that, Ghana only started training last Monday.
There is an opportunity here.
Although Lesotho’s recent results have
sapped confidence, losing to Sao Tome in January and last week’s 3-0 loss to
Botswana, one peculiar phenomenon is that Lesotho’s performances away have
generally been ‘better’ than those at home. Burundi last November and the 2009
Cosafa Senior Challenge in Zimbabwe immediately spring to mind. This was also
true of Notši’s giant-killing Makoanyane XI side which went unbeaten away from
home, disposing of Kenya and South Africa along the way, en route to qualifying
for last year’s Caf African Youth Championship.
Yes, last week’s 3-0 loss to Botswana has
raised eyebrows, but lessons will have been learned.
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| Take your chance... Lehlomela Ramabele |
Tactically Notši will no doubt change
things up a bit. Whether that means a compact counterattacking approach or tit-for-tat
chess, Ghana’s squad looks like it can be rattled a bit. By freshening up the
Black Stars squad – Appiah handed out call-ups to seven debutants and nine
local based players to his preliminary group – the new Ghana coach has also
left his side exposed to potential frailties.
Even though Ghana’s final 24-man squad
announced on Saturday is predominantly filled with European players, experienced
names such as Andre Ayew, Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah and John
Paintsil amongst others are conspicuous by their absence.
The fact Ghana is expecting a win means
the longer tomorrow’s game goes without the realisation of this reality, the
more restless the crowd and therefore team will get. Lest we forget, the
pressure is all on Ghana; and Lesotho can use this to its advantage in the hope
of causing an upset.
But for any of this to come to fruition
calm heads on the side of Lesotho will be needed. Likuena simply can’t afford
to go down to ten men like they did last week against Botswana. Discipline is
vital.
To finish off; Lesotho’s players just have
to believe that anything is possible.
Life is too short for what ifs. Every time you step out onto a
football field, especially for your nation, immortality always awaits.
