World Cup 2014: Underrate Africans at your own peril!

Ghana Black Stars can't wait to run the show in Brazil!

African countries that qualified to next summer's FIFA World Cup in Brazil have not been given even a dog's chance to make it to the second stage of the competition.

In fact, the so called soccer pundits in Europe and America have predicted that all five African torch bearers will fall on the way side after the first round with the funny thoughts that they find themselves in groups that are beyond their capabilities.

For me, such claims are laughable, to say the least.

If you claim to know more about the game and your country is drawn against any African team, then you better brace yourself up for more surprises because you can only underrate an African side at the World Cup at your own peril.

Since 1986, at least, a single African side has made it to the second stage of the competition to defy the odds. To put it in numbers, the second stage of  seven consecutive World Cups have always recorded an African participant, albeit, some of these countries made it from an insurmountable groups.

For instance, mention can be made of Ghana in a group with Germany, Serbia and Australia in 2010; Ghana in a group with Italy, Czech Republic and United States in 2006; Senegal in a group with France, Denmark and Uruguay in 2002 as well as Nigeria in a group with Spain, Bulgaria and Paraguay in 1998.

Then, there was Nigeria again in a group with Bulgaria, Argentina and Greece in 1994; Cameroon in a group with Argentina, Romania and Soviet Union in 1990 likewise Morocco in a group with Poland, England and Portugal in 1986.

There were periods African teams were counted among the mere participants but we proved the bookies wrong and even went as far as the quarter final.

One more chance for  these group of Ivory Coast  players to make a mark on the world stage

Talk of Ghana's wonderful run in the 2010 World Cup, Senegal's amazing performances in 2002 as well as Cameroon's swashbuckling form in 1990;  yet some pundits don't want to give us the needed respect. Haven't we done enough to earn that all important respect?

Even before they condemn us as one of the also-rans in the upcoming tournament, they should, at least, acknowledge how difficult the African qualifiers were.

Out of 52 nations, only five made it to Brazil after a tortuous, winding and  tedious qualifying rounds. There were three rounds of qualifying. The first round found 24 teams trying to make it into the second round of competition, where there were 10 groups of four teams. In the third round, the 10 group winners played off over two legs to determine who took Africa's five places in Brazil. It was a no joke format and those who sailed through must be respected!

Let us advance the arguments by taking a closer look at the groups that the African representatives find themselves in. 

Cameroon has done it before and the onus lie on the current players to repeat the dose

Cameroon find themselves in Group A alongside host and of course, one of the favourites,  Brazil, as well as Croatia and Mexico. Cameroon got this far after topping a qualifying group that consisted of Libya, Congo DR and Togo and later defeated Tunisia 4-1 on aggregate in two legged play off.

Mexico, after a disastrous campaign in the CONCACAF zone, had to settle with a play off with lowly rated New Zealand before qualifying to the World Cup. They had an emphatic  9-3 victory over New Zealand after two legs. But who cares? After all, which African team can't beat New Zealand and which of the five African representatives can't qualify automatically from the CONCACAF zone?

During the UEFA World Cup qualifiers proper, Croatia were housed in Group A with Belgium, Serbia, Scotland, Wales and Macedonia. Croatia placed a distant second behind Belgium and had to qualify after beating Iceland 2-0 after two legs. Again, how many African teams can Iceland beat?

Now let's look at Group C that consist of  Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.

In the African qualifiers, the Ivorians won a group that consisted of Morocco, Tanzania and the Gambia and had to go into a serious tango with Senegal before booking a place to the World Cup after a 4-2 aggregate score over their west African rivals.

Colombia made it to Brazil after placing second behind Argentina in the CONMEBOL or the South American zone while Japan, from Asia, were the first country to qualify for the World Cup. As for Greece they were forced to engage Romania in a play off before they made it to the World Cup. They defeated Romania 4-2 on aggregate after placing second behind Bosnia-Hercegovina in the UEFA Group G. This writer would not be far from right to suggest that Cote d'Ivoire, in a good day, may force the other group opponents to laugh at the wrong sides of their mouths.

African Champions Nigeria to prove a point in Brazil

Another African representative, Nigeria (current African champions) will battle Argentina, Bosnia-Hercegovina, and Iran in Group F. Argentina, as expected, topped the CONMEBOL zone in the qualifiers while Iran also won the Asia Group A ahead of South Korea. 

In the UEFA World Cup qualifiers, Bosnia-Hercegovinah only had Greece to contend with in the Group G as they only beat the Greek to the first place by superior goals. The likes of Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein were no match for Bosnia and I believe a lot of African countries can also beat such teams in every competitive encounters. So why should Bosnia-Hercegovina be seen as much superior than Nigeria?

Group G will see favourites Germany, Portugal and USA coming face to face with Ghana and again, many have predicted that Ghana wont survive the first round in this group and I ask why?

These group of pundits forget that Ghana qualified from a tough group from the CAF qualifiers that included the 2012 African Champions Zambia, Lesotho and Sudan before calling off the bluff of mighty Egypt in the play off.

Of course, Germany were peerless in their qualifiers as they shrugged off challenges from Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Faeroe Island and Kazakhstan in UEFA Group C while Portugal had to beat Sweden in the play off to book a place to the World Cup after they had failed to win their qualifying Group F that housed winners Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg. Portugal couldn't beat Russia to book an automatic place to the World Cup and had to rely on a Cristiano Ronaldo magic to beat off competition from Sweden in the play off and the pundits want us to believe they are far better than the Black Stars of Ghana. 

Make no mistake, the Ghanaians also boast of stars but they always go into competitions as a unified force - their trump card. 

Then come the USA who won the CONCACAF zone that included lowly rated teams like Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Jamaica. Once again, let me place on record that any of the five African representatives to Brazil could beat any team from the CONCACAF region.

Algeria has been tagged as the dark horses among the African representatives to Brazil  and they had to contend with Belgium, Russia and South Korea in Group H. And one may not be far from right to condemn Algeria in such a group but again, there are surprises in the game of soccer.

Certainly, Belgium has rediscovered their form with more talented players scattered all over Europe.  That was why they defeated Croatia, Serbia, Scotland, Wales and Macedonia in UEFA Group A qualifiers. 

It is also no secret that Russia qualified ahead of Portugal, Israel, Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg in UEFA Group F  qualifiers but that cannot write off the Algerians just like that.

South Korea also qualified after placing second in the Asia Group A behind Iran while Algeria managed to beat Burkina Faso in the play off after battling to win a tough CAF Group H that had the likes of Mali, Benin and Rwanda.

Honestly, if Algeria gets their acts together and plan adequately, they can rob shoulders with any of these teams. seriously, every African team that made it to the World Cup is capable of going beyond the first round and can progress to the semi final of the competition.

Algeria - Can they spring a surprise?

There are so many active African players playing top level football in the various European leagues as well as the UEFA Champions League and the Europa Cup that will stand to be counted among top performers in Brazil.

The qualified African teams still boast of players who  have seen it all at the international stage. There are players who have tasted senior World Cup before so I don't think players of the African teams would be overawed when they come face to face with the Neymars, the Falcaos, the C Ronaldos, the Messis, the Eden Hazards, the Ozils etc.

I believe the Essiens, the Muntaris' the Asamoah Gyans, the Eto'os, the Drogbas, the Yaya Toures, the Mikel Obis, the Victor Moses, the Madjid Bougherras at any given time can rise to the occasion.

Not only names, but all the five African countries boast of a unified team that can cause a stir at the World Cup.

Pundits in Europe and America don't want to admit that the likes of Ghana, Nigeria and Algeria boast of a young team and very organised sides with many players having European football experience as well as the likes of Cameroonian and Ivoirian stars who have played together for a long period and have amassed a lot of experience globally.

Africans are no longer minnows on the world stage, hence, whoever underrate Africa in Brazil 2014 does so at their own peril. we have come of age and can not be seen as pushovers!

Ghana vs USA again?

Americans hoping to avenge defeat on Ghanaians or dreading of deja vu ?

The 2014 FIFA World Cup draw has revealed some intriguing pairings and will surely invoke series of emotional memories as far as Group G, comprising Germany, Portugal, Ghana and USA, is concerned.

As a Ghanaian currently based in the United States, the draw does not get excitingly better than this.

A World Cup draw that sees the Black Stars of Ghana and their counterparts from the United States of America crossing each other's path for the third consecutive time on that same level is more than fascinating.

Not only that, the Black Stars will also have a repeat of a first round clash against Germany in the last edition as Joachim Low leads the Germans against the Ghanaians at the preliminary stage for the second time on the trot.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal may not have any recent history with the Black Stars but the mere mention of the Real Madrid life wire will surely send some shivers down the spines of many Ghanaians.

So what are some of the exciting highlights of such a group?

With a little superstitious believe, can a third successive meeting between Ghana and USA at the World Cup give the Ghanaians a glimmer of hope of qualifying to the next stage? After all,  the last two encounters between the two sides went the way of the Ghanaians and also handed the Black Stars a progress to another stage of the competition.

Can Kevin-Prince Boateng lead the Ghanaians to avenge defeat on his brother Jerome Boateng and the Germans?

Will Jurgen Klinsman teach his friend and a former subordinate Joachim Low a soccer  lesson when USA lock horns with the Germans?

More again, what will former Egyptian coach, Bob Bradley, who was in charge of the United States team that succumbed to the Black Stars in the 2010 edition in South Africa as well as the Egyptian side that fell heavily to the Ghanains in the play off to Brazil, tell Jurgen Klinsman who is currently in charge of the Americans?

While all these cycles of drama unfold, a certain fire power by name Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates, under the guidance of coach Paulo Bento will be planning an ambush on the Ghanaians, the Germans and the Americans.

Asamoah Gyan's class act against the Americans in South Africa 2010

So what are the reactions of coaches of these four countries housed in Group G?

Coach of the Ghana Black Stars, Kwesi Appiah is not ruling out surprises.

"It's nice to meet Germany, and also USA who we beat in Round of 16 in 2010. We are a better team than in 2010 and I'm sure there will be a lot of surprises in this group", simply put.

For German Joachim Low, there would be more at stake than friendship. 

"So, we will be meeting old friends. It's already something special to have the USA in our group. Jurgen and I have had a very good and close relationship for a long time. We have always exchanged ideas on a regular basis, but that will certainly change before the World Cup match", he warned.

United States German coach Jurgen Klinsmann succinctly explains the complexities of the group and also spared a thought on how to exorcise the painful Ghanaian ghost that have been following the Americans in the last two editions of the senior World Cup.

"I had a feeling in my stomach we’d get Germany. It’s one of the most difficult groups in the whole draw. Including having Portugal and Ronaldo, Ghana’s history with USA and of course, Germany;  it couldn’t get more difficult or any bigger. But that’s what the World Cup is about and we’ll take it. Hopefully we’ll surprise some people there. We’re going to be prepared;  we're going to be confident. Winning in Italy, getting a result in Russia will help us in our preparations."

As for Portuguese Paulo Bento, even though he has respect for the other group members, he is already focusing on their bid to make it to the last 16.

"It's a tight group with a favourite - Germany - because of their history and potential. Both USA and Ghana have good teams, well organised and good players in some of the best European teams. But our ambition does not depend on the group. We want to be in the round of 16 and that's what we will fight for", he concluded.

A relive of Ghana's impressive runs against American opposition in male FIFA World Cups

The Black Stars have left the Americans broken-hearted  on two occasions and are ready to repeat the does

Brazil is getting raedy to host the rest of the world in the upcoming FIFA senior men World Cup next summer and few hours after the draw, pundits have already tagged Group G as one of the tough groups.

Over here in the United States, soccer fans can’t wait to see Ghana and USA take recent hostilities on the senior level to another height. 

But the most exhilarating factor in the United States would be the sort of poignant memories the clash of Ghana and USA at this level will generate. Recent history at the senior level has seen Ghana as a bane on the United States and this is where the excitement of another Ghana-USA clash in world soccer is coming from. A recap of the last two editions of the FIFA Senior World Cup won’t be palatable for the Americans.

It all began in June 22, 2006 in Germany when Ghana handed the Americans a painful defeat that saw them exit the 2006 World Cup after the preliminary stage.

Ghana’s Haminu Draman began the demolishing exercise after just 22 minutes of play. He notched the ball off America’s captain Claudio Reyna, ran round him on the left wing, and slotted it with his foot into the far corner for the Black Stars first goal.

But after 43 minutes, USA’s DaMarcus Beasley played Clint Dempsey in with a well-timed ball from the left, and he slammed home from his vantage point on the right side of the box for the equalizer.

The first half was almost over when luck shined on the Ghanaians. Ghana’s Razak Pimpong fell to the ground, with Oguchi Onyewu standing quite close to him, and referee Markus Merk pointed to the spot to the chagrin of the Americans.

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah tucked it away, high and to the left, as Kasey Keller dived the other way.

That goal spelled doom for the Americans as they succumbed to the Ghanaians and were kicked out of the competition.

On Saturday June 26, 2010 in South Africa, the United States embarked on an avowed mission to revenge the painful defeat they suffered at the hands of the Black Stars in Germany 2006 but that was not to be as they were bundled out of the World Cup by the Ghanaians again.

Just after five minutes of play. Ghana’s Kevin Prince Boateng put Ghana ahead. Ricardo Clark lost the ball cheaply in midfield and Boateng ventured down the left channel, as Jay DeMerit backed off him.

From about 25 yards, Boateng decided to try his luck, spearing a low drive past Tim Howard at the goalkeeper's near post. Howard had left him an acre of space to shoot into at that post, putting the tin hat on a catalogue of blunders from the Americans. 

But the Americans will make amends in the second half as they pushed for the equalizer in the 60^th minute.

Clint Dempsey nutmeg John Mensah on his way into the Ghana penalty area and was subsequently brought down by Jonathan Mensah. The referee did not hesitate and awarded a penalty to the Americans. Landon Donovan made no mistake at the spot to bring the Americans at level pegging after 62 minutes.

The game was destined for a draw but the Ghanaians had other ideas. After 93 minutes of play, Asamoah Gyan stunned the Americans with a great goal.

Gyan beat Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit in a race to a ball hoofed up from the centre by Dede Ayew. The Ghana striker raced between the two defenders, managed to stay on his feet as Bocanegra tried to shoulder him to the ground, then glanced up and blasted a left-footed shot past Tim Howard from about 15 yards.

And that did not only break the hearts of Americans but also bundled them out of the World Cup by Ghana in a second consecutive time.

The Americans have suffered somewhat similar fate at the youth level.

In Turkey last June, the Ghana national U-20 side, the Black Satellites inflicted a painful 4-1 defeat on the Americans in their Group A encounter of the FIFA World Youth Championship. Frank Acheampong scored the opener in the 37th minute, thanks to a poor clearance attempt and subsequent giveaway by Will Trapp.

This followed a decent spell from the U.S., who looked like the more likely team to score for a period of around 20 minutes in the first half. The second half was a different story, with the U.S. looking poor from the start. Ebenezer Assifuah capitalized on a giveaway in midfield and scored a rocket from 15 yards in the 57th minute, putting Ghana 2-0 up.

Shane O'Neill scored from a corner with a header to bring the U.S. back into the game, but they fell apart shortly afterwards. Assifuah scored again in the 77th minute from a corner and Kennedy Ashia added the exclamation point in the 83rd minute, beating Cody Cropper with a shot between the keeper's legs.

Apart from the Turkey 2013 U-20 World Cup, Ghana once beat USA 1-0 in the 1997 edition hosted by Malaysia .

So, as Ghana takes their place in Group G of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil after silencing an Egyptian side under the tutelage of American Bob Bradley, soccer fans in the United States can only wait with bated breath for that cracker involving the USA and Ghana that will open the group G campaign on June 16, 2014.

Even at the youth soccer level, Americans still play second fiddle to Ghana

Group draw for Brazil 2014 World Cup:

Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon.

Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia.

Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan.

Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy.

Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras.

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran, Nigeria.

Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA.

Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea.

CAF African player of the year 2013: Can a Nigerian unseat Yaya Toure?

Can Yaya Toure make it three successive victories and also add the 2013 CAF Award to the BBC Award?

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the shortlists for the 2013 African Player of the Year and the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) after voting from members of the Technical & Development and the Media Committees.                                     

Ten (10) players made the cut for the flagship African Player of the Year category, and five (5) for the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) from the initial list of nominees.

The Head Coaches of the National Associations affiliated to CAF will vote in their order of preference to decide on the eventual winners of the two categories that will be announced at the Glo-CAF Awards Gala scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Initially, twenty-five (25) players were named for African Player of the Year category, and twenty-one (21) for the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa).

Ivorian Yaya Toure is the reigning African Player of the Year with Mohamed Aboutrika of Egypt still holding the accolade as the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) but the multi-million dollar question on the lips of African football pundits is whether somebody or for that matter, a Nigerian, can unseat Man City's Yaya Toure in the flagship award?

Among the 10 finalists for the flagship African player of the year award are four Nigerians - John Obi Mikel, Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa - who played key roles to help Super Eagles conquer African in the 2013 Cup of Nations as well as clinching a ticket to the 2014 FIFA World Cup due to be held in Brazil next summer.

There is no doubt Yaya Toure is the front runner for this award as the winner of the last two editions  is still at his peak. He scored two goals including a spectacular free-kick against Tunisia at the group stage. Though the Elephants failed to go past the quarters, he has served as the pillar of the Ivorian team in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, netting four goals in the process. At Manchester City, he is a cult figure and has been the driving force for the club. For the current 2013-14 season, the midfielder has found the back of the net five times in 11 games. 

CAF couldn't have said it better than this but in my opinion, apart from Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan (due to my little bias as a Ghanaian) and Burkinabe star Jonathan Pitroipa (Most Valuable Player of the 2013 Cup of Nations), other notable players who could give the Ivorien and Man City midfield dynamo a run for his money are Nigerian duo John Obi Mikel and Vincent Enyeama. Of course, the other Nigerians shortlisted - Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musah - are ranked outsiders.

Nigeria's John Obi Mikel with the African soccer ultimate trophy

CAF says Mikel is enjoying probably his best moment in football. A regular with the star-studded Chelsea, he played an influential role in the buildup to the 2013 UEFA Europa League crown. In September 21 this year, he broke his goal duck in the English Premier League with his first goal in 185 matches in a 2-0 win over Fulham. Also, he netted a cracker against Uruguay at the FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil in July besides claiming a gold medal with the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations. He was also instrumental for Nigeria in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The African football governing body also believe the achievement of Nigeria cannot be mentioned without the name of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. The shot-stopper is arguably the finest on the continent after superb showings at the Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He was named the safest pair of hands as Nigeria won the continental crown in South Africa earlier in the year. He also made a name for himself with Lille in the French “Ligue 1” having not conceded since September 15; with an eye-popping 14 clean sheets from 16 games and 1035 minutes in total.

This writer believes Mikel or goalkeeper Enyeama could cause a major upset in January 9, 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria. 

The two have distinguished themselves very well for club and country. For instance, many pundits underrated Mikel's contributions for Chelsea but he was, no doubt, one of the consistent performers for Chelsea that saw them win the Europa Cup. 

Mikel is also the fulcrum of the Super Eagles. In fact, the Nigerian national team is built around Mikel and he deserves more commendations for wining the Europa Cup with Chelsea as well as the Cup of Nations trophy with Nigeria in the year under review.

Beyond being an established organiser on the pitch, goalie Enyeama who captained the Super Eagles many times this year has also remained the number one shot stopper for Lille and has embarked on a remarkable run of form and currently stands on the verge of breaking a French defensive record that has stood for eleven years.

Enyeama, apart from winning the African Cup with Nigeria, earned critical raves from fans and experts for his performances. Many pundits say he specializes in reflex saves, being one of the world's shot-stopping. He might not be compared to legend Thomas Nkono who was elected best player on the continent in 1979 and 19 82 but Enyeama can be counted among the serious contenders for the award.

Both Enyeama and Mikel did much better in the 2013 Cup of Nations and the World Cup qualifiers than Yaya Toure, hence my belief that a Nigerian may unseat Yaya Toure.

Even on the club level, albeit debatable, Yaya Toure was not miles ahead of Mikel and Enyeama. At least, in the case of Mikel, he played a pivotal role in the Chelsea setup that won the Europa Cup.

Enyeama and Mikel helped their colleagues to conquer Africa after a 19-year wait while Toure and his galaxy of Ivorian stars got bundled out of the African Cup in the quarter final stage.

Even though a decision by CAF to award Senegalese international El Hadji Diouf  the 2001 African player of the year ahead of Ghana's Samuel Osei Kuffour was one of the most unpleasant surprises in the history of the awards, I for see another surprise, but this one will be a pleasant one when a Nigerian will be named as the 2013 African best player.

I believe the period that will always put the European leagues ahead of our own Cup of Nations and our own World Cup qualifiers is past and gone so if we want to honour a true African best player, then we must look deep into who did extremely well for his national team in the Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifier before we look at club performances. In other words, let's put our continental competitions ahead of European leagues, at least, just for this year, so that we can juxtapose the contributions of the shortlisted players in the Cup of Nations and the World Cup qualifiers.

For the purpose of argument, we can narrow the list to just Toure and Mikel and debate dispassionately about who really contributed immensely to his national team and even his club in the year 2013.

The fact that Mikel was a cynosure for his countrymen and Africans in the Cup of Nations as well as the World Cup qualifiers coupled with the fact that he was instrumental for Chelsea in 2013 are enough justification why Obi Mikel must win the award ahead of Toure.

Toure is, no doubt, a true genius in the colours of Man City; he sometimes also carry the Elephants of Ivory Coast on his shoulders but the only thing the Ivorien can boast of is the fact that he played a key role in Ivory Coast's qualification to the World Cup. And that is it!

But in 2013, Mikel can boast of the fact that he did not only lead the Super Eagles to Nations Cup glory but also made an impression in the Confederation Cup in Brazil, helped qualified Nigeria to the World Cup and also helped Chelsea to win the UEFA Europa Cup.

Vincent Enyeama was named the safest pair of hands as Nigeria won the continental crown in South Africa earlier in the year!

Below are the nominees  (in alphabetical order):

 Top 10 

African Players of the Year

Name: Ahmed Musa

Club: CSKA Moscow (Russia)

Date of Birth: October 14, 1992

Country: Nigeria

He was a member of the Nigeria squad that won the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations and also featured at the FIFA Confederations Cup later in Brazil. With CSKA Moscow, Musa won every title in Russia - League, League Cup and the Super Cup during the 2012/2013 season, scoring five times in the process. He has scored five times for his club in the ongoing 2013/2014 season.   

Name: Asamoah Gyan

Date of Birth: November 22, 1985

Country: Ghana

Club: Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)

As captain of the Black Stars, he was the top marksman for the team in the World Cup qualifiers with six goals. He also scored once as the Stars placed fourth at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Gyan has had a stellar year emerging top scorer for the 2012-13 UAE Pro-League firing 30 goals and powering Al Ain to the title. He has also scored eight times in six appearances in the 2013-14 season.

Name: Didier Drogba

Date of Birth: March 11, 1978

Country: Cote d’Ivoire

Club: Galatasaray (Turkey)

At 35, Drogba has yet to lose his shine, scoring three goals as the Elephants reached a third successive World Cup appearance. The striker has bounced back from a disappointing spell in China and has been banging the goals in Turkey. He scored five in 13 appearances during Galatasaray’s triumph in the 2012-13 season. In the current season, Drogba has scored nine times in all competitions for Galatasaray including the UEFA Champions League.

Name: Emmanuel Emenike

Date of Birth: May 10, 1987

Country: Nigeria

Club: Fenerbahce (Turkey)

Emenike is currently Nigeria’s most reliable face in attack. He was topscorer (4 goals) at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa where the Super Eagles emerged champions. He has recovered from an injury that kept him out of the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil to put Nigeria within sight of a place at next year’s World Cup, scoring thrice in the process. With Fenerbahce, he has scored three times in the 2013-14 “Turkish Super Lig”.

Name: John Obi Mikel

Date of Birth: April 22, 1987

Country: Nigeria

Club: Chelsea (England)

Mikel is enjoying probably his best moment in football. A regular with the star-studded Chelsea, he played an influential role in the buildup to the 2013 UEFA Europa League crown. In September 21 this year, he broke his goal duck in the English Premier League with his first goal in 185 matches in a 2-0 win over Fulham. Also, he netted a cracker against Uruguay at the FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil in July besides claiming a gold medal with the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations. He was also instrumental for Nigeria in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Name: Jonathan Pitroipa

Date of Birth: April 12, 1986

Country: Burkina Faso

Club: Stade Rennes (France)

Pitroipa was the star of the Burkina Faso team that reached the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. His red card against Ghana at the semis drew so much controversy before CAF eventually overturned it, making him eligible for the final. He was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He also scored three times in Burkina Faso run to the World Cup Playoffs. A regular for Stade Rennes, he has made 10 appearances in the current season but yet to score.

Name: Mohamed Aboutreika

Date of Birth: November 7, 1978

Country: Egypt

Club: Ahly (Egypt)

At the twilight of his career, Aboutreika yet again proved he is nowhere near the finish line. He scored six goals for Egypt in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers including one on his centenary appearance with the Pharaohs against Guinea. With Ahly, he was the pivot as the Egyptian giants retained the CAF Champions League title scoring in both legs in the final. He scored five times in the campaign as Ahly cruised to an unprecedented eighth title despite the absence of a football competition in Egypt in two years.

Name: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Date of Birth: June 18, 1989

Country: Gabon

Club: Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Aubameyang was on target three times for Gabon (a hat-trick against Niger) during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as Les Panthers failed to reach the Playoffs. His was however been in superb form at club level. He emerged second top scorer in Ligue 1 with 19 goals during 2012-13 season, and also guiding Saint Etienne to the Coupe de La Ligue (French League Cup). In July, he joined German side Borussia Dortmund and has scored eight times in all appearances. He also won the German Super Cup with Dortmund after a 4-2 win over Bayern Munich.

   

Name: Vincent Enyeama

Date of Birth: August 29, 1982

Country: Nigeria

Club: Lille (France)

The achievement of Nigeria cannot be mentioned without the name of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. The shot-stopper is arguably the finest on the continent after superb showings at the Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He was named the safest pair of hands as Nigeria won the continental crown in South Africa earlier in the year. He also made a name himself with Lille in the French “Ligue 1” having not conceded since September 15; with an eye-popping 14 clean sheets from 16 games and 1035 minutes in total.

Name: Yaya Toure

Date of Birth: May 13, 1983

Country: Cote d’Ivoire

Club: Manchester City (England)   

Winner of the last two editions of the African Player of the Toure is still at his peak. He scored two goals including a spectacular free-kick against Tunisia at the group stage. Though the Elephants failed to go past the quarters, he has served the pillar of the Ivorian team in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, netting four goals in the process. At Manchester City, he is a cult figure and has been the driving force for the club. For the current 2013-14 season, the midfielder has found the back of the net five times in 11 games.   

How can Ghana honour her sports heroes quintessentially?

The Black Stars that  played in Ghana's first ever senior World Cup in Germany 2006 were honored by the then President Kufour after making it to the second stage of the competition

Last Sunday, December 1, 2013 was exactly 50 years since Ghana won the first of her four African Cup of Nations trophies and the solemn remembrance of such an epoch occasion has reignited the debate as to how our heroes in general and our sports heroes in particular be recognized by the state.

In the final of the 1963 edition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Cup of Nations in Ghana, the Black Stars led by Aggrey-Fyn defeated Sudan 3-0 to clinch the continental diadem for the first time.

Even before that feat, Ghana had already won the West African Championship on three occasions and  the Stars' first ever ascendancy on the continental throne, after that 3-0 thrashing of Sudan in the finals, was a perfect icing on the cake.

According to Kumasi based Metro FM researcher, Thomas Freeman Yeboah, the likes of Dodoo Ankrah, Evans Oblitey,Ben Acheampong former Ben Simmons, Franklin Crentsil, Kwame Adarkwa, Kofi Pare, Wilberforce Mfum, Agyemang Gyau, Leonard Acquah, E.E Degraft and Osei Kofi who are still alive combined effectively with Addo Odametey, Edward Acquah, Mohammed Salisu, Aggrey Fyn,  Ofei Dodoo,  Joe Aikens and  Atta Kwame;  all deceased  to snatch the trophy.

So it is believed that those players, at that time, were playing for the nation for pride and not for any other commercial gains like in recent times.

And that some of these old stars are bitter because they are  living in abject poverty because promises made to most of these heroes were not honoured due to reasons including coup d’état.

According to Rev. Osei Kofi, the 1965 AFCON winning team were promised an estate house, but never materialized because Dr, Nkrumah was overthrown on February, 1966. 

Also,it is believed that I.K Acheampong promised the 1978 triumphant winning team an estate house each but was again not to be realized due to another coup d’état.

In 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Ghana came close to qualifying to the semis but were eliminated by Uruguay but when they returned, the then President, Late J. E. A. Mills honoured them

During the regime of former president John Agyekum Kufuor, some sports facilities were named after some sporting personalities in order to immortalized them but that was the beginning of a whole controversy that has lived with us till now.

At least, President Kufuor meant no harm but his positive plans to immortalized our sporting heroes was marred by series of vehement political and ethnic disagreements.

For instance, it is alleged that President Kufuor's initial intention to name the Kumasi Stadium after Ghana's greatest sporting personality C. K. Gyamfi was vehemently challenged by some people within his government, hence the decision to name the Kumasi Stadium after Baba Yara. 

At least, the allegations were that  those who disagreed with Kufuor at that time cited the fact that C. K. Gyamfi once had a problem with Kotoko during his playing days and was, therefore, not worthy to be honoured with the Kumasi Stadium. Once again, it is an allegation and I can't prove it oh! 

C. K. Gyamfi was therefore, compensated or let's say,  honoured with the ailing Winneba Sports Collage at that time.

Then after years of naming the  Accra Sports Stadium after Ohene Djan, the first Director of Sports who led Ghana to two Nations Cups, our Ga brethren, through the help of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the current government managed to deny the late Ohene Gyan that honour with funny flimsy excuses. May be, I am threading on dangerous grounds but let's not forget that C.K. Gyamfi is a half Ga and the Ga people may have acted in solidarity. Depending on where you stand,  this is entirely my own harebrained or plausible opinion oh! 

Thank God another attempt to do same to the Theodosia Oko Hockey pitch for some other funny reasons did not materialized because Ghanaians rejected that in unison.

At least, some of President Kufuor's decisions were never contested. For instance, the shabby Cape Coast Stadium was named after Robert Mensah, the goalkeeper of the Black Stars in the 1968 and 1970 African Cup of Nations, while Ghana's Boxing legend Professor Barimah Azumah Nelson had the honour of being named after the dilapidated  Kaneshie Complex.

I am sure nobody had tried to change those decisions concerning the Cape Coast Stadium and the Kaneshie Sports Complex because we all admit these are decaying sporting edifices.

In 2008 when H.E John Agyekum Kufuor was getting ready to exit the presidency, he organised a national awards day to honour himself and other notable Ghanaians in several walks of live including deserving sports men and women.

I remember Grand Medals were awarded to the likes of Coach E.K. Afranie,  Miss Adjoa Bayor and Miss Alberta Sackey of  Black Queens fame; female athlete, Miss Vida Anim, Alhaji Grusah and  the late Alhaji Sly Tetteh, both football administrators.

Other sporting personalities that were recognized on that day were  Mr. Joseph Agbeko, a professional  boxer;  Mr. Opoku Nti and  Mr. Kwasi Appiah, former players for the Black Stars.

Of course there were people who thought some personalities did not deserve such recognition at that time while other school of thoughts were of the opinion that lot of deserving personalities were left out of President Kufuor's honorees.

The crux of the matter is that, if succeeding administrations had sustained President Kufuor's laudable decision to at least, make the ceremony an annual one, a lot of deserving sports heroes might have been recognized in every small way to make them happy for the rest of their lives.

Now come the question as to how can Ghana honour her sports heroes perfectly?

Who deserves a state honour, how do we determine our sporting heroes, when and how should we honour them what are befitting  honours that we can bestow on our sporting heroes - a car, a house, a cash amount, a grand medal or a facility named after them?

Do we believe in the saying that 'a nation that does not honour its heroes are not worth dying for' or we see that statement as just one of many mantras.

We lost one of the world's best long jumper Ignatius Gaisah to the Netherlands because we just failed as a nation to recognize him and his needs or was he asking for too much?

Why do we want to wait to see our sporting heroes die before we rush to their funerals to make tiny donations?

What is the essence of a posthumous honour to someone who needs more help when he or she is alive?

It is no secret that a lot of our old sporting heroes are living in abject poverty all in their bid to willingly defend the flag of Ghana. A lot of them like those who won Ghana's first ever Nations Cup trophy are livid and have regretted ever serving mother Ghana.

Worse of all, they have been neglected all these while for their selfless act that put the nation on the global scene while the current breeds of Black Stars players have been rewarded several times for playing second fiddle in most competition. How ironic!

The Golden generation of the 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 groups of the Black Stars have nothing to show in terms of state honour

The Golden generation of the 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 groups of the Black Stars have nothing to show in terms of state honour