Bold Zimbabwe Prediction

Word from the Stars camp is that spirits have picked up and that the boys have re-found their team work and ultimately their winning ways. That is certainly good, for with Kingston and captain Appiah unavailable, they have also lost almost their entire first midfield.

All that being said, I will make a bold prediction as to tomorrow’s match and the Stars’ ultimate success:

0-0 draw.

Given Zimbabwe’s stingy defense and their desire to come away from the Cup with some points, I think that they will be a hard shell for offensively challenged Ghana to crack. Amoah made good of one of his few opportunities on Friday, but with no midfield support to build a charge, he is hardly creative enough to do it on his own. Ghana’s X-factor? Joetex Frimpong. Can the generally quiet striker heat up in time to push the Stars through?

On their defensive end, Ghana have no reason to be frightened of Warriors. They have shown little offensive punch in their two matches, and Stars have stood extremely firm (but for one unlucky boot) over the last 180 minutes. Defensive Trojan (and if the rumors are to be true, self-proclaimed Nigerian) Sammy Kuffour is back and should be the engine that drives the back line.

Odds of advancement? On goal difference, would seem to be difficult to advance in this manner given Senegal’s 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe. However, I believe that haughty Senegal will finally find its comeuppance versus strong Nigeria and will fail to get the point the would need to qualify, allowing the Stars to limp into the knockout stages.

There a rematch versus defending champ Tunisia is likely to ensue, on which the Stars would likely prove the weaker.

But again, many things can change between now and tomorrow. Especially if the skipper returns to health timely.