Risks Compound

One would have thought that the Black Stars’ CAN hopes could have grown no fainter.

What with three key injuries, a profound malaise creating by a winless 2006, and the impending Group of Death of Nigeria and Senegal to contend with, the squad’s backs have been up against the wall for some time. Now, freshly arrived in Egypt to prepare for the tournament, local sphinxes have suggested signs of dissension in the ranks.

These signs may be proving valid as “captain” Stephen Appiah applied for, and was granted!, leave to perform with club team Fenerbache just three days before the opener. Surely Fenerbache, also short three midfielders and facing a crucial league challenge, will need the steely resolve of the veteran midfielder. And as Appiah noted, the transit will take just three hours (round trip) to participate in a match that he will have ample time to recover from.

Count me as a skeptic. But given forest of ladders, abounding with black cats, that the Stars have seemingly been walking under for the last two months, one would think that they would be notably skittish of the risk of injury to their focal point in the weeks to come. Better Appiah be injured on a sightseeing trip to the pyramids than on a Turkish pitch, I say.

Alternatively, there could be some continued subterfuge here designed to improve the lot’s chances versus fancied Nigeria. Do I detect the cunning guile of the Grandmaster at work?