Senegal Match Crucial to 2006 Hopes

The lion has begun to roar, but our stalwarts from Ghana appear unfazed. The war of the words in front of this crucial CAN clash has begun and both sides appear to have brought their heavy ammo.

While the match seems clearly more critical for the Stars given their unfortunate 1-0 loss to Nigeria in their CAN opener, Senegal seems to relish the chip on their shoulder caused by the egg collectively laid by the side during World Cup qualifying. On Wednesday, Senegal top jawer and striker El Hadji Diouf brashly predicted victory and reiterated “Ghana are going to the World Cup - and we need to beat them to show our people that it’s an accident that we’re not going to the World Cup.”

Surely there is some insecurity on the part of Senegal, but even ascendent Ghana has come to realize that their trip to Germany this summer will be little more than a sightseeing junket should they not get their house in order in a timely fashion, starting with an improved performance in Egypt. Says Laryea Kingston “If any team underrates us, we are going to shock them.” The intensity has clearly begun to rise.

Update- In other news Defensive Trojan Sammy Kuffour had twin pieces of good news yesterday. The heart and soul of the Stars both was able to practice again following a rest day for injuries sustained leading to Nigeria, and found a new contract with the top squad in United Arab Emirates, supposedly for significant cash. Cheers, m’lad.