The Black Stars

[treva]

This is a short story that I have already completed and thought I'd share with you. Some of you may have seen it on sortitoutsi where I originally posted it. It's only 15 updates long but it is probably my first completed football story. Enjoy ​

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GHANA'S JOURNEY REPLAYED

Ghana vs Rwanda - MATCH ONE​

76 mins: Bwalya runs with the ball through the centre with Muntari hot on his heels. Muntari drags Bwalya down and he's already been booked. The referee reaches for his pocket and he's surely off. He is, second yellow and the Ghana superstar has been sent off with his team level at 1-1.

90 mins: Sarpei has the ball on the left. Great pass to Pantsil's feet but he has his back to goal. Good turn by Pantsil, he's got Amoah waiting in the middle. He chips it in. AMOAH! GOAL! He's won it for Ghana with a volley from six yards out. Ghana win with ten men, but only just.

GHANA 2-1 Rwanda

Nigeria vs Ghana - MATCH TWO​

59 mins: The ball is played forward by Babayaro. Mensah and Yakubu challlenge for it but Mensah comfortably wins the header. The ball falls to Barusso and Mensah's stayed down. It looks like he's landed on his arm awkwardly. He's in serious pain and I doubt he's going to continue. That's terrible news for Ghana as they lose their captain and it looks like a serious injury that may keep him out for the rest of the tournament.

82 mins: Free kick to Nigeria. It's about 30 yards out, maybe more. Akabueze looks like he's going to lay it off to Babayaro to have a crack. He does and Babayaro smashes that. GOAL! what a goal by Babayaro, absolutely stunning strike. Kingston couldn't do anything about that in the Ghana goal. It's 2-1.

89 mins: Essien collects the ball just inside his own half. He finds Amoah who quickly lays it into Barusso's path. Barusso looks up and spots Asamoah making the run. That's a brilliant pass. Asamoah collects. One touch and bang. Saved. But Tagoe is there. GOAL! Tagoe levels with the simplist of tap-ins. What a game, now at 2-2.

Nigeria 2-2 Ghana

Ghana vs Guinea - MATCH THREE​

16 mins: Boateng lays it off to pantsil on the right. Pantsil takes his time before darting down the wing. He cuts the ball back to Boateng. Will he shoot? No. GOAL! Barusso scores thanks to great awareness from Boateng with that little touch to set him up. Ghana take the lead.

68 mins: Boateng has plenty of time in midfield. He find Tagoe on the edge of the area. There's no option for the striker forcing him to turn away from goal and lay it back to Boateng. Boateng takes a touch and curls a ball towards Asamoah. Asamoah chests it down, will this be his hat-trick. GOAL! It is. What a calm finish from the 21 year old. Just his 11th international appearance. 5-1 to Ghana.

GHANA 6-1 Guinea

Ghana vs Ivory Coast - QUARTER-FINAL​

3 mins: Tagoe looks to take on Ebou? down the left. Still no challenge from Eboue as Tagoe reaches the byline. Tagoe takes a touch back onto his right and swings in the cross. Easily headed away by Meite. It drops to Essien 25-30 yards out. One touch. Shoots. GOAL! Oh what a hit by Essien. 25 yards out and he's drilled it past Copa. Unstoppable. What a start for Ghana.

GHANA 1-0 Ivory Coast

Ghana vs Cameroon - SEMI-FINAL​

44 mins: The corner is going to be taken by Addo. Just a few minutes before half time. If Ghana could get a goal now they would take a deserved half time lead. Addo curls it into the box. Amoah goes up for it. GOAL! Deflected in by Olemb? on the post. It may have been Bassong who actually headed that ball back towards his own goal. Either way it's an own goal and Ghana lead 1-0.

92 mins: Ghana will be in no rush to take this free kick. Dicoh lays it to Boateng. He takes a touch and chips it forward. Gyan chases it. He's beaten the defender. This could be the goal that seals it. GOAL! Ghana are going to the final. Gyan slots it past the keeper. All the players and subs rush to congratulate Gyan. It will be Ghana's first final for 18 years.

GHANA 2-0 Cameroon

Ghana vs South Africa - FINAL​

90 mins: Fortune will take the corner. Ghana have dominated from the start but can South Africa get the late winner? In it comes. Dikgacoi. GOAL! They've scored. Dikgacoi rises above Muntari and heads it in. The Ghana players cannot believe it. The game looked to be theirs, they didn't take their chances and now they've lost it all. South Africa are ecstatic. It looks like South Africa will have their second African Cup of Nations win, 14 years after their first.

Ghana 0-1 SOUTH AFRICA​

 

[treva]

Page last updated at 14:54 GMT, Friday, 5 June 2010
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England vs Ghana Preview

With the World Cup just a week away England travel to Ghana to play a World Cup warm-up match before heading on to South Africa where they will face Mexico, Ecuador and the hosts. Ghana on the other hand come off the back of an African Cup of Nations final defeat and are looking to continue their good form ahead of their opening World Cup match with Costa Rica on June 14.

England

The favourites for this match go into this game with three friendlies since their last competitive match almost seven months ago. England are unbeaten since August when they lost to Holland 3-0 and wins against Brazil and Serbia have given England high expectations for the forthcoming World Cup.

Michael Owen has earned a recall following strong performances for Manchester United this season. The former English hero has netted seven times from twelve starts and four sub appearances and will be hoping to feature at some point during the match.

Ben Foster returned to England duty in March following a career threatening skull injury and is likely to take the keeping spot for the game. The United keeper sat out three months of the season after he collided with Vitaliy Kutuzov in England's final qualifying match with Belarus in October but has recovered well to rejoin the national squad in time for the World Cup.

England Probable Line-up: Foster (GK), Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, A.Cole, Barry, Carrick, Gerrard, Lampard, A.Young, Rooney. Subs: Brown, Woodgate, Owen, J.Cole, Wright-Phillips, Baines, Jenas, Almunia (GK).

Ghana

The 2010 African Cup of Nations performance from Ghana surprised many but not the team itself. Despite the disappointing loss to South Africa in the final, Ghana were able to take a lot from the experience and will be looking to continue with a good performance against England and throughout the World Cup.

The Ghanian captain John Mensah returns to action for the national side after he broke his arm during the second game of the African Cup of Nations in January. His return should have a positive impact on the squad because of his role in the heart of the team.

All eyes will be on the midfield pair of Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari. They hold the highest reputation within the squad playing for European giants Chelsea and Inter Milan. Ghana will need these two to be on best form if they are to progress into the second round and beyond in the World Cup.

Ghana Probable Line-up: Kingston (GK), Pantsil, Addo, Mensah, Sarpei, Essien, Muntari, Barusso, Asamoah, Amoah, Tagoe. Subs: Larsen (GK), Dickoh, Shilla, Appiah, Boateng, Ayew, Gyan, Boakye, Kingston.

Date: Saturday June 5 Kick-off: 14:30
Venue: Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra, Ghana
Coverage: BBC One, Radio 5 Live and online at www.bbc.co.uk/sport Highlights: BBC One at 22:00.​

 

[Ollie_H]

Nice start Jack, unfortunaetly I have already read the story over at Susie, so unless you have changed it in anyway I know the outcome

 

[thesweepmaster]

Very good start, but I must say that I'm surprised that Almunia plays for England! =/

 

[treva]

Very good start, but I must say that I'm surprised that Almunia plays for England! =/

He always does on FM10 because he has better attributes than any of the other English keepers. After he gets English citizenship he always gets picked. I don't think I've had a save where he doesn't. Even I'd pick him as number 2 behind David James based on his stats in-game.

 

[LongLegs?]

Great start this. Love bringing the World Cup to African/Asian nations on FM, or even smaller European ones.

 

[treva]

Ghana vs England LIVE​

Ghana and England face-off in a World Cup warm-up match in Accura, Ghana's capital city. Both sides are hopeful ahead of the first World Cup to be held in Africa and are keen to prove themselves in this tight encounter.

Kick-off is moments away in Accura so let's join the action at the Ohene Djan Stadium.

4 mins: First good chance of the game as Carrick is played in behind the Ghana defence by Ashley Cole. Carrick looks to beat Kingson at his near post but there's no way the experienced keeper was going to let that happen. The resulting corner is easily caught by Kingson who is off to a solid start.

14 mins: Brilliant passing football by Ghana sees Pantsil's cross force a corner. Addo swings it in but Terry rises well to head clear.

24 mins: Ghana go down to 10 men for a short while as Addo has his leg treated on the sideline. He isn't off for long to the relief of the Ghana manager.

30 mins: Ashley Young cuts inside to fire a shot on goal from just outside the area. It dips but not enough to hit the target as Kingson watches it sail over the bar for a goal kick.

34 mins: Ghana continue to pass the ball around well but they are unable to break down England's back four. Tagoe runs inside to create a shooting opportunity but it's a comfortable save for Foster.

45 mins: Young looks dangerous down the left as he takes on Pantsil before knocking back to Barry on the edge of the area. Barry's shot rather sums up the first half, though, as it lands a dozen rows back in the stands.

45+3 mins: HALF TIME. Not been an exciting half of football but it should open up in the second half.

45 mins: Ghana bring off Addo following his knock in the first half. Shilla is his replacement. Tagoe is also taken off following a quiet half for the striker. Amoah comes on his place. England replace almost everyone. Ashley Cole, Barry, Carrick, Gerrard and Young make way for Brown, Cahill, Joe Cole, Baines and Jenas.

48 mins: Asamoah goes down under a challenge from Jenas. He takes a while to get up but he seems fine to continue.

54 mins: Now Terry goes down with a knock. England won't want to lose him and he is back on the field after just half a minute on the sidelines.

57 mins: GOAL. Lampard and Cahill work the ball well down the left wing. Lampard finds Baines on the corner of the box. Ghana back off and Baines makes them pay, firing a powerful shot inside the near post from 20 yards. Kingson dives but to no avail. Ghana 0-1 ENGLAND.

64 mins: England make a change. Ferdinand swaps with Crouch as Rooney moves onto the left and Baines drops back into defence.

65 mins: Ghana replace two of the midfield trio. Barusso and Asamoah make way for Appiah and Boateng.

77 mins: Rooney wastes a superb chance to double England's lead after a delightful chip by Joe Cole plays him in one-on-one. Rooney's first touch is heavy and Kingson can pounce on it as he tries to hit it. Shilla is there to clear it into touch.

80 mins: Foster makes an unbelievable save from Gyan after Ghana build up another chance with thoughtful passing. Mensah rolls the ball to Amoah before the striker picks out Gyan brilliantly with a first time pass. Gyan unleashes a volley from 8 yards which looked unstoppable only to see Foster fly across and push the ball wide with his right hand.

89 mins: GOAL. Rooney scores to put the game in the bag. The ball drops to him on the edge of the box after a cleared free kick. He hits it hard towards goal and Kingson gets a hand to it. He probably should have pushed that over but it creeps in under the bar. Ghana 0-2 ENGLAND.

90+3 mins: FULL TIME. It's all over in Accura and it's finished Ghana 0-2 England. The game was closer than the score line suggests and England have Foster to thank for a brilliant save ten minutes from time. Both sides will be relatively happy with tonight's performance.

Fabio Capello: "Tonight was an important game and we played well. It was not all about the result but a win is a win. Now we must concentrate on our first match of the World Cup next Sunday"

Milovan Rajevac: "We played good football and were unlucky not to equalise. I think the last goal flattered them but when you play a team like England you know they have the ability to score at any time. Overall I am happy with my team."

John Terry: "It was a solid performance tonight. We knew Ghana would pass the ball around and make us work hard going forward so it wasn't an easy game. A friendly like this really gets us ready for the World Cup and we can now hit the ground running."​

​

 

[ARay]

Nice work Treva. I find the writing style similar to the online commentary that I read at times

 

[treva]

World Cup Preview

TEAM NAME: Ghana
NICKNAME: The Black Stars
CONTINENT: Africa
WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1
HIGHEST CAPPED PLAYER: Richard Kingson (89)
TOP GOALSCORER: Abedi Pele (33)
FIFA WORLD RANKING (June 10): 11th
HEAD COACH: Milovan Rajevac (Serbia)
CAPTAIN: John Mensah

Players to watch:

JOHN MENSAH (c) (Lyon)
Defender

An influencial character in the Ghana team and can lift the team just by his mere presence on the field. Ghana missed him during the African Cup of Nations despite making the final and you can expect a strong performance from kick-off to full-time.

Watch out for: Towering headers from opposition goal kicks and corners.

MICHAEL ESSIEN (Chelsea)
Midfielder

Arguably the most talented player on the Ghanian team and probably one of the best defensive midfielders at the World Cup. His work rate isn't bettered by anyone in the competition and he backs it up with physical strength and stamina. Sitting just in front of the back four he will be able to control the game, his pace allowing him to run from box-to-box comfortably.

Watch out for: A brilliant tackle from behind to break down an attack before setting up a break with an accurate pass.

SULLEY MUNTARI (Inter Milan)
Midfielder

Similar to Essien, Muntari is all about work ethic. He is an excellent defensive midfielder but is used more as a play-maker within this Ghana set-up. His passing is accurate but it's his tackling that excells. Mixed with large amounts of aggression, Muntari is a deadly midfield workhorse.

Watch out for: A crunching tackle early on to impose himself on the game.

Surprise Player:

AHMED BARUSSO (Brescia)
Midfielder

This talented midfielder performed exceptionally well throughout the African Cup of Nations earlier this year. His midfield counterparts may overshadow his ability but when given the chance to shoot he can be lethal.

Watch out for: A fierce right foot able to find the top corner if given time to shoot.

Group E Fixtures

JUNE 14: Costa Rica
JUNE 19: Poland
JUNE 24: Holland​

 

[ARay]

Treva, this story looks good.
Looking forward to more updates.

 

[treva]

Costa Rica vs Ghana LIVE​

Welcome to the opening match of Group E in the 2010 FIFA World Cup between Central American outfit Costa Rica and African Nations runners-up Ghana. We have already seen some surprise results in the opening three days of the competition with the likes of England losing and Brazil and Spain being held be lesser opposition.

Ghana are set to go unchanged from the team that were defeated 2-0 by England a week ago but Matthew Amoah, who came off the bench in that loss, misses out with a bruised thigh. Costa Rica have no injury worries and have ?lvaro Sabor?o up front following his brace against Dominica in March.

The teams have shaken hands and are ready for kick-off so we will join the action in Cape Town.

2 mins: GOAL. An amazing start for Costa Rica as they take an early lead. Bolanos curls in the corner and Marin pulls away from his marker to flick the ball into the far corner. Ghana under pressure early.

6 mins: Barusso comes very close to putting Ghana level as his thunderous 30 yard shot smashes back off the crossbar.

10 mins: Parks finds himself completely un marked down the left wing and cuts in behind the Ghana defence. He shoots from a tight angle but Kingson blocks the shot with his body. Sarpei stays down following a crunching tackle and is helped off the pitch. Shilla replaces him at left back.

22 mins: Barusso goes close again as Muntari appeals for a penalty but the referee waves away his protests.

24 mins: Gyan shows his pace down the right wing before swinging a cross to the back post. Tagoe heads the ball towards goal but there isn't enough power on it and Jimenez saves comfortably.

34 mins: Addo takes a second corner in a minute and it finds Asamoah at the back post. He should hit the target but he fires it over.

37 mins: RED. Well Sulley Muntari is in the headlines again and not for good reasons. He was sent off in Ghana's first African Cup of Nations game and now he's been sent off in the first game of the World Cup. He dives into a tackle on Mora but doesn't take any of the ball. He barely touches Mora but the Costa Rican jumps to the floor in agony. Muntari says a few choice words before looking up to see the red card. He can't believe it but he's got to go. Unsurprisingly Mora jumps to his feet with no discomfort.

38 mins: GOAL. It seems the red card has spurred Ghana forward and they equalise just a minute later. Kingson holds onto the free kick and quickly throws it to Shilla. Costa Rica are still dropping back as Shilla sends Gyan through the middle of the pitch. Gyan runs through one-on-one and slots it past Jimenez's right hand to make it 1-1.

45+2 mins: HALF TIME. Ghana have looked dominant since Costa Rica's early goal but are only level with a man down. It will be a very interesting second half here in Cape Town.

45 mins: No changes for either side as Ghana kick-off the second half.

62 mins: After a quiet second half Costa Rica decide to change things. Hern?ndez is replaced by Arias at the back.

68 mins: Ghana have an excellent chance to take the lead and it's Gyan again. Essien picks out his run across the back line giving Gyan another one-on-one chance. This time Jimenez is able to push it away with his right hand and out for a corner.

75 mins: Best chance of the game for Costa Rica goes begging as Kingson makes a good save yet again. Borges fins Sequerra free on the edge of the area and he smashes it at goal. It's straight at Kingson but he is forced to tip it over by the power.

82 mins: Ghana make a change up front. Ayew takes Tagoe's place looking to grab a late winner.

90 mins: There is just two minutes of added time left. Ghana really need this winner with tough games against Poland and Holland up next.

90+2 mins: FULL TIME. The Ghana players look dejected. They should've won the game and had they had eleven men they may have done so. Now they need to beat Poland in their next game before facing Holland in the final game of the group.

Michael Essien: "We should've won that game and we didn't. Everyone is disappointed but we must put it past us. Now we will focus on beating Poland, this result doesn't rule us out at all."

Ronald Gonzalez: "I am proud of my team. We got the early goal and we didn't let them bully us. The sending off helped, certainly. Would have to see it again to tell you whether it was deserved. All that matters to me is that we played well."​

​

 

[ARay]

The loss of Muntari was a blow. I think its a fair result considering the fact that Ghana essentially played with 10 men.
I think Ghana will be able to beat Poland. But Holland is going to be tough to Crack.

 

[treva]

Poland vs Ghana LIVE​

We are live at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth for the second group E match between Poland and Ghana. Both sides drew their opening games 1-1 and will be looking to bag themselves a first win of the competition today.

Ghana are forced to make two changes. Banned Sulley Muntari will miss Ghana's remaining group matches and his place has been stolen by Stephen Appiah. Hans Sarpei had to be taken off in the draw with Costa Rica with a knock to his thigh forcing him to start from the bench today. Shilla takes his place at the left back position.

Poland have also made a few changes from the side that drew with Holland 1-1. Gargula comes into the team to replace Jodlowiec forcing M.Lewandowski to drop to centre back. Bandrowski moves to right side of three midfielders with Gargula on the left. Murawski takes up the central position.

The national anthems have taken place, both teams have shaken hands and the toss has been completed. Ghana will kick-off as we join the action.

15 mins: GOAL. A quiet start to the game is blown away as Gyan puts Ghana ahead after a quarter of an hour. Superb build up by Ghana down the left as first Shilla passes to Asamoah who then hands it off to Tagoe. Tagoe spots Gyan's run and puts him in. Gyan takes a touch and slots it under the body of Boruc to put the Africans one up.

19 mins: GOAL. Barusso take a bow. Stunning strike from outside the area gives Ghana two in four minutes. Asamoah knocks it horizontally across the box and Barusso smashes it first time with his right foot. Boruc dives but he has no chance as the ball crashes into the top corner of the net.

30 mins: Poland have their first chance of the game and it's a good one. Roger cuts inside and runs at the Ghanian defence before putting Golanski through. Kingson is out in a flash and gets his body in the way.

41 mins: The skipper has a great chance to make it 3-0 from a corner. He rises highest and heads towards goal. He has the power but can't keep it down.

45+2 mins: HALF TIME. Ghana in complete control as the ref blows for half time. Poland will really have to step up the tempo if they are to challenge in the second half.

45 mins: No changes for Ghana. Poland make one change, Robert Lewandowski is on for Lukasz Gargula.

55 mins: Bad news for Ghana. Shilla has pulled up sharply and with Sarpei still injured they decide to bring on Boakye. They will be hoping both Sarpei and Shilla recover for their big match with Holland.

57 mins: Double change for Poland. Roger and Golanski switch with Krzynowek and Jodlowiec.

66 mins: Murawski hits a fierce volley from the edge of the area but Kingson holds on. Poland just can't find the breakthrough and they may need a moment of magic if they are to get anything from this game.

72 mins: Boy does Barusso have a stunning right foot. He almost scores again this time from 40 yards out. It beats Boruc but flies inches wide.

73 mins: The opening goal scorer for Ghana, Asamoah Gyan, is replaced by Ayew up front.

77 mins Well you would expect to see Barusso take free kicks from 30 yards out but it's Addo who steps up. He strikes it well but it just drifts over the bar.

83 mins: Addo picks up a yellow for a shirt pull resulting in a dangerous free kick for Poland. It's well wide though from Krzynowek summing up Poland's day.

88 mins: GOAL. Poland grab a late goal but is it too late. Sloppy defending from Ghana as they allow Lewandowski to get free at the back post and tap in Krzynowek's low cross. A tense finish for Ghana now.

90 mins: Three minutes of added time are displayed by the fourth official. Ghana bring off striker Tagoe for Boateng, dropping Appiah alongside Essien at defensive mid. Can they hold on?

90+4 mins: FULL TIME. Ghana hold on to the much needed win against Poland. Now they just need to get a point against Holland to guarantee a place in the last 16.

Ahmed Barusso: "I enjoyed the game and the result. Sometimes those shots come off and thankfully it did today. We play well and we are very confident of making it to the next round."

Milovan Rajevac: "Unfortunately we have picked up two more injuries. We don?t yet know the extent of Gyan's or Shilla's knocks but we are doubtful as to whether they will take further part in the competition. We hope this is not the case but we must carry on and secure qualification in the next game."​

​

 

[treva]

Page last updated at 12:11 GMT, Monday, 21 June 2010
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Injuries hinder Ghana's chances

Gyan scored the opener before being substituted against Poland​

Ghana have been hit with two injuries to Illiasu Shilla and Asamoah Gyan following their impressive 2-1 victory over Poland on Saturday.

Both players were taken off during the game and the team has revealed that both players will miss the rest of the World Cup. Gyan's injury will be particularly damaging to Ghana's hopes of progressing further than ever in the competition having scored three of Ghana's last four goals, including the opener against Poland.

Shilla pulled up early in the second half of Saturday's game and scans have later revealed the defender has torn his hamstring. After surgery to repair the muscle Shilla will be out for three months, meaning he is likely to miss the start of the Serie A season with his club Atlanta.

Gyan's injury is less serious but will still force him to watch the rest of the World Cup from the stands as he tries to recover from a fractured elbow. He is set to miss three weeks of action but will return in time for pre-season training with his current club Stade Rennais.

Assistant manager of the national team Abdul Razak has stated that both injuries are a big blow to the team. "No team wants injuries and we have got two in one game. They are big players for our team and we will miss them. It's now time for our senior players to stand up and take responsibility for making sure we qualify from our group."

Victory over Poland sees Ghana sit 2nd in Group E, level on points with Holland who they play on Thursday in Polokwane. Both sides just need a point to secure qualification to the second round but either team can go through regardless if the result of Poland's game with Costa Rica goes in their favour.​

Mensah and Shilla react after beating the Czech Republic at the last World Cup​

 

[ARay]

I think Holland vs Ghana will be a draw
Maybe a last gasp winner by either side!