Ghana goes out after group stage...

[GOYA-GOYA]

It is now known that Ghana has gone out of the African Cup of Nations in the group stage. They played uninspired, by most accounts, and lost to Nigeria and to Zimbabwe.

Now that Group E teams and fans have had a good opportunity to see Ghana, do they have a realistic chance of doing more than pulling a one game surprise? My personal opinion is that they will not do anything more than surprise...probably Italy (first game of tournament).

[Sempre]

I do not expect Ghana to be a surprise at the World Cup. They
have a European coach, their tactics are heavily defensive, need
I add European, and they are short of goal-scoring talent. Unlike
some of the other African debutantes, however, Ghana will not
be pushovers. I see them picking up a creditable draw or two but
not advancing to the knock-out stage.

[GOYA-GOYA]

I do not expect Ghana to be a surprise at the World Cup. They
have a European coach, their tactics are heavily defensive, need
I add European, and they are short of goal-scoring talent. Unlike
some of the other African debutantes, however, Ghana will not
be pushovers. I see them picking up a creditable draw or two but
not advancing to the knock-out stage.

I may have had a poor choice of words. They will certainly not surprise (I agree with you) the other three teams in this day and age. I don't think they will grab more than two points in the tournament either.

[tpmazembe]

I do not expect Ghana to be a surprise at the World Cup. They have a European coach, their tactics are heavily defensive, need
I add European, and they are short of goal-scoring talent. Unlike
some of the other African debutantes, however, Ghana will not
be pushovers. I see them picking up a creditable draw or two but
not advancing to the knock-out stage.Allow me a tangential point, but one following up on Sempre's observation.

I spent some of my childhood in Africa (thus my moniker), and I'm saddened by the current presentation of African football at the NT level. I'm not talking about the talent produced, but the type of play displayed. Its all very standardized.

Whereas in the past African teams have been accused of being naive defensively (Cameroon vs England WC'90 as example), it now seems that they all are playing this very pragmatic form of football....almost devoid of what made African football exciting (to me), and what held so much promise for the future.

Seems that the foreign coaches have emphasized the attributes of strength and speed (which they should), while suppressing improvisation, creativity and daring. I remember Cameroon's listless performances at WC 2002; brimming with talent, but almost afraid to just let loose. Where is its identity?

I'll have my fingers crossed, but I'd be surprised if any of the African teams surprised in Germany. We'll probably have to wait until 2010.

[yellowbismark]

Whereas in the past African teams have been accused of being naive defensively (Cameroon vs England WC'90 as example), it now seems that they all are playing this very pragmatic form of football....almost devoid of what made African football exciting (to me), and what held so much promise for the future.

Seems that the foreign coaches have emphasized the attributes of strength and speed (which they should), while suppressing improvisation, creativity and daring. I remember Cameroon's listless performances at WC 2002; brimming with talent, but almost afraid to just let loose. Where is its identity?

So you're upset that African teams are no longer "naive" defensively? :rolleyes: If you want art, go watch ballet. Soccer/football is not about style. The only thing that matters is winning and not losing.

[tpmazembe]

So you're upset that African teams are no longer "naive" defensively? :rolleyes: If you want art, go watch ballet. Soccer/football is not about style. The only thing that matters is winning and not losing.Thanks for your input, and imparting your views on the content of my post.

What I'd like is balance and staying true to their style; not adopting some globalized style of football to the detriment of differentiating factors.

Don't try and teach me about football, African or otherwise.

[Sempre]

Allow me a tangential point, but one following up on Sempre's observation.

I spent some of my childhood in Africa (thus my moniker), and I'm saddened by the current presentation of African football at the NT level. I'm not talking about the talent produced, but the type of play displayed. Its all very standardized.

Whereas in the past African teams have been accused of being naive defensively (Cameroon vs England WC'90 as example), it now seems that they all are playing this very pragmatic form of football....almost devoid of what made African football exciting (to me), and what held so much promise for the future.

Seems that the foreign coaches have emphasized the attributes of strength and speed (which they should), while suppressing improvisation, creativity and daring. I remember Cameroon's listless performances at WC 2002; brimming with talent, but almost afraid to just let loose. Where is its identity?

I'll have my fingers crossed, but I'd be surprised if any of the African teams surprised in Germany. We'll probably have to wait until 2010.

This is exactly what's happening now. No more do we see the Cameroon
of Italia '90, the Nigeria of '94, or the Morocco or Algeria of bygone days.

Look at the goal-scoring average after all games thus far at the ACoN:
a mere 2.2 goals per game. European coaches, European-based players,
have squeezed life out of the previously free-flowing African game.

Truth be told, Tp, I'm less inclined to be cautious than you; not only will
the African teams not surprise in Germany, I think that, for at least two
or three of them, this WC may be a full-blown disaster. But the new focus
on defense means that drubbings are less likely than in times past . . . .

[tpmazembe]

This is exactly what's happening now. No more do we see the Cameroon
of Italia '90, the Nigeria of '94, or the Morocco or Algeria of bygone days.

Look at the goal-scoring average after all games thus far at the ACoN:
a mere 2.2 goals per game. European coaches, European-based players,
have squeezed life out of the previously free-flowing African game.

Truth be told, Tp, I'm less inclined to be cautious than you; not only will
the African teams not surprise in Germany, I think that, for at least two
or three of them, this WC may be a full-blown disaster. But the new focus
on defense means that drubbings are less likely than in times past . . . . I concur with your general premise. Maybe we should get tickets to the same ballet....

[GOYA-GOYA]

Thanks for your input, and imparting your views on the content of my post.

What I'd like is balance and staying true to their style; not adopting some globalized style of football to the detriment of differentiating factors.

Don't try and teach me about football, African or otherwise.

They may be changing their style, but it is intentional. They always had athleticism, but didn't always have tactics. Now, it appears they are trying to incorporate the tactics in their game. Give them time and the athleticism and free flowing forms of the past will re-emerge...with the tactics.