Kickoff (Cape Town)
20 November 2008
Milovan Rajevac was a typical manager after Ghana's poor draw against Tunisia in Accra.
In the face of a poor display, he claimed the players had given off their best and played a good game.
Good game? Maybe we need a new definition for that because the display at the Ohene Djan Stadium cannot pass for one.
Too many passes that went off, a lack of cutting edge and if Benin, Mali and Sudan were watching they would have been encouraged by how easily the Tunisians, like Ghana depleted by first team regulars found spaces at the back.
There is no suggestion the Black Stars have become the worst team overnight but the display against Tunisia would have worried those here who are planning their trips to South Africa 2010 in advance.
Captain Stephen Appiah put it best when he suggested it had brought up the lack of depth in the team.
Without Essien, Muntari, John Mensah and Laryea Kingston the strength of the side was considerably watered down.
But any side keen to qualify for the world cup must have reserve in the tank and when you look at this Black Stars squad you wonder if that is there.
It will be up to Rajevac to look and figure that out. And in doing so he must make a definite statement to his players not praise the sort of display that got the fans booing some of them at a point.
The Serbian coach will have some tough choices to make before the qualifiers get underway. It will be whether to stick to some of his players or decided enough is enough. It should be an easy decision really.
The emerging problem for the Black Stars is that there are quiet a number of players guaranteed a place in the squad even when they are not playing regular football at club level.
Richard Kingson started in post when he has yet to play a competitive game for Wigan Athletic this season after another stretch on the bench at Birmingham City.
Eric Addo played in central defence when he has been on the fringes for PSV Eindhovein all these years. This season he has only played twice for the club but has played every single of Ghana's game so far.
Then there is Haminu Dramani who struggles to get a look in at Locomotive Moscow but is almost always in the squad. Was it a coincidence that he played so poorly against Tunisia as he did against South Africa.
You could say Stephen Appiah has also been inactive but he has turned on the style when he has played.
The problem with Milovan continuously picking players who don't play at club level is that it sends the wrong message and often the national sides become places where they come to look sharp.
It should not happen especially when there are so many players capable of doing a good job too. Moussa Narry is a regular for Auxerre but can't get into the Ghana team. Derek Boateng is another example.
Those players shot their way out of the Black Stars with poor attitudes but the side needs quality on the field and in reserve and they fall within that category.
The Black Stars reached the last World Cup with players on top of their game. They cannot get to another one when players will get called up regard even when they are not playing at club level.
It could undermine the 2010 dream badly.
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