The battle is not over yet!

Memories can be very short. Let me remind you that when tiny Cape Verde Island qualified to participate for the first time in the Africa Cup of Nations staged in South Africa early this year, I believe those who watched them at close range might have realised that Africa has arrived, and that there is no small nation in soccer.
Today, that tiny nation has  stunned the continent again with the way they featured in the Group G of the just-ended African qualifiers, and ended up decking mighty Tunisia, a nation that has vowed not to be counted out of the World Cup so long as Africa enjoys the five-slot advantage.

You can imagine the jubilation that erupted last Saturday night in their capital city of Praia when the citizens of that island saw their team do the impossible to clinch victory to participate in the homestretch we call play-off.

Cape Verde have the courage of their conviction that they will go places when the fight for the final five takes off in October/November, and I have a strong belief that whoever crosses their path must be very careful, now that the Islanders have come of age and shaken themselves from their slumber to announce their preparedness to be in Brazil at all cost.

At last Sunday's fund-raising gathering of Bokuruwa-Kwahu Yiedie Fekuo in Accra, one of enthusiastic football fan was quick in asking me of my opinion on the forthcoming pairings for the final onslaught for African representatives at the Brazil World Cup. Another guy pressed me to the wall with the question as to whether the Black Stars could make it for the third on the slot.

Of course, to me any opponent that will come will certainly get the feel of the determination of Kwasi Appiah's squad. Last Friday was another “judgement day" to every sympathiser of the Black Stars, and if you care to ask me, what I can say without reservation is that the Black Stars I saw in Kumasi was nowhere near the alpha and omega of African soccer we knew in the 70s and 80s.

The Zambians simply exposed the Asamoah Gyan-led stars under the noses of home fans who filled the Baba Yara Stadim to choking point, with the "Die Hard" supporters drumming and singing all day..

I personally saw no difference between the home team and the visitors who suffered from flight difficulties and had no opportunity to train on the field of action last Thursday, something which was described as a mind game. Indeed, what I saw prompted me to revise my notes on the hyping of the Black Stars.

Is it any wonder that at one stage of the game the stadium was cold as the Chipolopolo proved that they were not mere tourists who had come to see the Akosombo Dam, the wonderful biggest man-made lake on earth, or the impossible sight of the unbelievable natural sky-scraper called "Bruku" situated on the Kwahu Mountains. This Coast of Gold is blessed with some monumental tourist attractions which the world can admire.

Will it not surprise any young soccer fan that the Black Stars who took a commanding leadership in the 70s and 80s in Africa had to take more than 36 years to taste the World Cup staged in Germany in 2006. In fact that was the first serious global sporting showcase of a combined Germany, a nation which was divided into two (East and West), following the Second World War which ended in 1945. The divided country was a scene of rivalry in all activities until the unification in the late 90s.

FIFA was impressed and amazed at our maiden effort which saw the Black Stars losing their first match 0-2 at the hands of Italy, and the two victories over the Czech Republic and the USA which qualified the new entrants to the second round of the tournament where we lost 0 - 3 to the fire-brand five times world champions, Brazil.

It must be remembered that Brazil, our next World Cup hosts have the penchant of beating almost every African country 3-0 at the mundial, with the possible exception of Algeria who were beaten 1-0 in Mexico in 1986. Meanwhile, against Zaire in 1974 in West Germany, Cameroun in 1994 in USA and through to the 1998 France finals where Morocco received the same dose of 0-3, the tradition continued. So it was no news when the Black Stars were stopped with 3-0 in 2006.

As at now, the Black Stars followers know very well that the battle is not over until it is over! It is true some highly reputable countries will be seeded in the coming pairings for the play-off. But for goodness sake, I don't believe we can go to sleep after conquering stubborn Chipolopolo who have in recent times suppressed our freedom with their agile goalkeeper Mweene who always has the sense to initiate fresh attacks after every save.

Did you watch the Zambians way of controlling the ball for good eight minutes at a certain stage of the match with well-oiled Chipolopolo members refusing to fall down to maintain their composure and initiative? That is modern football which requires stamina, quick thinking and tactical discipline.

As a matter of course, all the nine countries that have qualified for the homestretch are of equal standard and character to outwit the Black Stars against all odds. Our dream of making a smooth journey to Brazil must materialise, no matter which opponent will be voted to face the Black Stars, the noted Brazil of Africa, the final decision of which will be settled tomorrow, in Cairo, Egypt.

This lovely Land of Gold is on the path of sweet victories, but Coach Kwasi Appiah must have in his mind that he will need somebody with the calibre of Sulley Ali Muntari, a key player of the Italian giants A.C. Milan. If a fully-fit Muntari teams up with fully-fit Kevin- Prince Boateng in the heat of every confrontation, you and I can go to bed with the assurance that it is a done deal.

Kwasi, the whole nation is pleading with you to reconsider your decision to dump Sulley for obvious reasons. Enough is enough; we need Sulley please, if the battle we are going to face will be softer. With Michael Essien, Dede Ayew, Boateng and Muntari operating on the battle field, why should we worry our heads? But for sure no opponent should be under-rated at this stage.

Africa needs a strong set of five in Brazil, and before the balloting for the final kill, your guess must be as good as mine.

Good luck and God bless!

By Nana Ampomah/Graphic Sports/Ghana