A Small Lapse of Concentration?

In an otherwise tense and defensive match, perhaps any window would have been fatal. However the lapse of concentration that cost the Stars yesterday’s CAN opener versus Nigeria was not small and it was avoidable.

The lapse, a general failure to respond by the defense or the keeper to a long range and quickly put free kick by fullback Tayo Taiwe, was the only major miscue in a game of solid defensive football, called by many observers “a snooze” for many of the opening minutes. Reviewing the action at the point of the kick, Ghana legend Abedi Pele concurred with this reviewer: “The Black Stars lost concentration when it mattered most. I didn’t expect that the players will not be at alert when that infringment was committed. No defender should back the ball at such crucial time and before they knew it, Taye Taiwo struck a good shot that went straight into the net. You cannot take anything away from the young Nigerian that score that goal.{The Black Stars lost concentration when it mattered most. I didn’t expect that the players will not be at alert when that infringment was committed. No defender should back the ball at such crucial time and before they knew it, Taye Taiwo struck a good shot that went straight into the net. You cannot take anything away from the young Nigerian that score that goal.”

The Ghanaian legends squad were incensed, and out in force, as Abedi Pele made strong public condemnations about the manner in which the Stars approached their historic challenge, and clown prince and entertainer Tony Baffoe stormed the Stars camp to bring his own unique perspective to the goings on, as he said noting his displeasure with the Nigeria result “”you know me, I will never ever bet against my own country no matter how badly they play or tough the going gets.”

With Senegal’s strong victory over Zimbabwe, Ghana will likely have to win out to advance. Not an impossibility to be sure, but certainly a challenge. The decider will likely be the match with Senegal on Friday, where we hope to see a bit more hunger for goals. The nation’s eyes will be watching to see if the Stars can finally sate that hunger against a well reputed Senegalese defense.