Ghana has scored only two goals and they have come through penalties scored by Asamoah Gyan, the Stade Rennais striker. The US defense is aware of his goal scoring threat.
But the two Ghanian players who have caught the eye with their skill on the ball coming forward are Andre Ayew, who as the son of the legendary Abedi Pele, has his father’s creative instincts. Prince Tagoe, with his dreads flying, while galloping into the heart of the defense, has provided a flair off the bench. Carlos Bocanegra will have to watch them.
Ayew is short and compact, a bit like Leo Messi with his silky, smooth dribbling who likes to cut inside with his left foot. He spent his years in L’OM’s youth academy along with his brother Jordan, a family tradition handed down after his father spent his years in the early 90’s, helping L’OM win the 1993 Champions League. Ayew developed his skills as a left footed winger deployed on the right.
He was selected for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations where his exploits along with that of Anthony Annan and Kwadwo Asamoah ensured that Michael Essien was not missed. As captain of the U20 World Cup winning Black Stars, he is also a leader. Ghana will be a continued force in African football with this new generation of players.
Prince Tagoe impressed off the bench during the Serbia match, as he kept flying down the center, against Nemanja Vidic helping boost Ghana’s attack. The Hoffenheim striker who was just recently cleared medically by his club of a suspected heart defect has been used as an ace by Milovan Rajevac. Should Ghana look insipid on attack or fall behind, Rajevac will call upon his services.
Sulley Muntari’s tiff with Rajevac has seen the tough tackling holding midfielder spend more time on the bench. His absence has not been felt so far because Kevin Prince Boateng seems to have meshed very well with his new national team mates. Ghana’s defense anchored by John Mensah and John Paintsil, who will see a familiar face in Clint Dempsey as a Fulham team mate, have proven solid. Richard Kingson is one of the better shot stoppers, although he tends to be a bit suspect in the air.
Will the US be able to overcome the memories of the 2006 World Cup when a momentary lapse of reason from Claudio Reyna and theatrics from Razak Pimpong cost them dearly? Given all the X’s and Y’s, the US comes out on top in the one area where they have been unmatched this World Cup. Self belief.