Ghana's Black Stars today have a ghost to exorcise as they face hosts, Equatorial Guinea in the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Malabo Stadium.
It is the first time the two sides are meeting at any level in the AFCON, but five times within the past five editions of the competition, the Stars have played in the semi-finals, and sadly, they have been successful only once, in 2010 when they beat Nigeria to advance.
This evening, the Stars hope to end that as they seek to get closer to their dream of being champions again.
Getting to the top may not be much of a problem, but staying successful at the top is, and that is the problem the Stars have been confronted with and desperate to make a break from that misery.
Against a side without much history in African football as the Nzalang Nacionales or the National Thunder, the Stars may not have to fear as all the records go in their favour. The Stars are four times champions, played and won several semi-final matches but it will be the National Thunder's first on their second participation in the AFCON.
The Stars have the experience and may consider this encounter as relatively easier, compared to what they had to endure to reach this point, but playing the hosts, who have the backing of an entire nation, including their President, S.E Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has hosted them twice this week as a way of motivation, is a big threat that the four times champions should be wary of.
Added to this is the fact that the hosts are unbeaten at this competition, drawing two games and pulling a stunning win against Gabon in the final group game before beating Tunisia with a 2-1 comeback win in the quarter-finals.
They have been the surprise team at this competition and are a quality side too, inspired by their hardworking captain, Lopez Nsue who plays for English side, Middlesborough and marshalled by the exuberant coach, Esteban Becker who had just weeks to put his team together.
It is this hard work and success story that the Equatoguineans hope to build on when they face the Stars this evening.
"There is always a first time for everything and this is our time. We are proud of what we have achieved so far, but we can do more against Ghana. On paper and in the records, they are the clear favourites, but in football, records do not really matter and we are ready to take our chances against the favourites," Coach Becker yesterday said at a press conference ahead of the game.
Without the benefit of any previous meeting, the two sides only have book knowledge about each other, apart from taking time to watch clips of their matches at this competition, with Coach Becker admitting they are wary of the Stars because of how they have crafted their way through at this competition, beating Algeria and South Africa at the group stage and then completely dominating Guinea at the quarter-finals.
Ghana coach, Avram Grant is not looking at the records either, insisting his charges will continue to do what they have done since their campaign began.
The Israeli has guided the Stars to a progressive improvement in performance and believes they will take it up further in this game, refusing the tag that they are favourites in this game, and remaining elusive the impact the availability or absence of his injured captain, Asamoah Gyan will have on the team's psyche.
"Records only serve as a guide and do not play matches. At this point, we have to find a way of getting past that semi-final hurdle which seem to have been our nemesis in previous tournaments. Playing against a host nation is not an easy task so we cannot be the favourites. We have to have a game plan and plan B for every situation and that is what we will do.
"This match will be more difficult with or without our captain because it is closer to the final and we will have a hostile crowd, but we have psyched ourselves for that as the Guineans are good side just like us. The game will be more of a mental contest more than a technical strategy," Coach Grant also indicated.
"We do not have to tell the world what we are doing or how we are preparing but be assured that we will be ready for the match." he insisted.
Apart from Gyan, whose situation is still unclear, Grant has the compliment of all his players and though likely to maintain his starting line-up that have delivered the winning results, he may throw in some element of surprise against the Equatorial Guineans just as he did against Guinea in the quarter-finals.
That means, Mahatma Otoo, may get a starting role. If that does not happen and should Gyan miss out, then Jordan Ayew, who has taken some criticism for his lackadaisical performance as a supporting striker, could pick up the lead role, with Kwesi Appiah supporting.
In that case the possible line up will be: Razak Braimah, Harrison Afful, John Boye, Baba Abdul Rahman, Jonathan Mensah, Afriyie Acquah, Mubarak Wakaso, Andre Dede Ayew, Christian Atsu, Jordan Pierre Ayew and Kwesi Appiah.
Story: Rosalind K. Amoh, Malabo
