Beating Zambia, the story

Ghana’s Black Stars are really not a bad side at all. And they showed how badly they want to be in South Africa after thumping the Copper Bullets 4-1 in a friendly in London on Wednesday.

Ghana delivered the win before the end of the first half but still pressed for more goals in the second. Despite that the Chipolopolo increased pressure on the Stars in the latter stages especially after Michael Essien made way for Stephen Appiah.

It must be said that the Swiss-based Samuel Inkoom did very very well in the game, not least by securing a penalty which Junior Agogo converted well. Those who had been to the Stars earlier training session said it was a replica of what he learned at the time.

The win was a redemptive gesture for both Agogo and another troubled man – Sulley Muntar. Sulley has not been in the green zone of fans especially after his mother said her son was indispensable.

Speaking of Inkoom, the injury to some players in the team and others’ inability to secure UK visas meant he played in midfield for the first time ever in his career.

He played like he’d been there all these years and I was impressed.

So the goals came from Sulley Muntari, Stoppilo Sunzo (own goal), Junior Agogo and Haminu Dramani. Stoppilo Sunzo scored Zambia’s only goal as well.

Says coach Rajevac: “We needed to keep winning, so it was important that we did that. Now we will go into the next game with our confidence really high.

“The players who turned up showed just why Ghana is such a good team because even without many regulars, it was a good performance.”

The Black Stars’ next World Cup Qualifier is against Sudan at home on 6 September.

Starting team: George Owu/William Amamoo, John Paintsil, Harrison Afful, Eric Addo, Francis Dickoh, Anthony Annan/David Telfer, Michael Essien/Gladson Awako, Samuel Inkoom, Haminu Draman/Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari/Chris Dickson, Junior Agogo/Kwame Quansah.

Subs: William Amamoo, Stephen Appiah, Gladson Awako, David Telfer, Chris Dickson, Kwame Quansah