NII A-MAR'S AMAZING COLUMN-Cometh the hour, Maketh history, Signor Milovan!

Take not the soccer passion that’s got strings attached to Ghana. This is a country steeped in history and heritage, in a continent where local passion burns viciously and the fans are almost messianic in their football zealotry. A semi-final berth, in a World Cup staged on its own soil, where they’d firmly corral their names in the history books, you will suggest, will take out every bit and ounce of their blood. This is the country, Milovan Rajevac’s been tasked to get the better off Uruguay at the Sun City Stadium in Johannesburg tomorrow. It’s Ghana garnering for prestige and honour. And rightly so, is having the backing of a whole continent who have pinned their hopes and trust on them.

.. Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac (L) smiles as John Pantsil gestures during a training session at the Mogwase Stadium near Rustenburg.

Preview

Ghana
Having had the hope of the continent tagged around their necks, Ghana looks set to rock the stage that’s longed plagued the African soccer scene. History beacons for small country and continent that has so lost its bragging rights in football. With the youngest team at the mundial, they seem unfazed with the occasion to go a step further in a fairytale second-World Cup appearance. This side boasts key players that bought glory for Ghana by winning the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt last year and early this year by winning silver at the African Cup of Nations in Angola. It’s a shame that the will be missing the services of mercurial captain, Andre Ayew who’s been in superb form for both club (having helped Arles get promoted into the French Ligue One) and country and lithe center-back Jonathan Mensah, who was on the radar of Udinese back in January through suspension. But they can count on the services of Udinese’s Asamoah Gyan who has scored three of his side’s goal despite being hindered with an ankle injury. Inter Milan’s Sulley Muntari and Isaac Vorsah, who plies his trade for TSG Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga could be back in the squad after sitting out most of the matches played this far. Kevin-Prince Boateng, the thrust of the midfield, is back in the squad after winning his fitness mêlée. 

... Ghana's Asamoah Gyan looks focused during training looking to add to his 3 goal tally..


Uruguay
Whilst there is the lingering fear that Uruguay always flaps and flops on the big stage, you wouldn’t expect them to shy away from the veracity of getting into the semi-final of the World Cup on the backdrop of having the most potent of strikers in Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan. Already naming their squad: “Maxi Pereira, Lugano, Victorino, Fucile; Alvaro Fernández, Diego Pérez, Arévalo Ríos; Diego Forlán; Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.”, it speaks volumes of their preparedness for the game. They’re leaving nothing to chance in their quest to take up their place on the soccer globe. Like the rest of the South American teams in this tournament, Uruguay has been highly impressive in South Africa, and has advanced to their first World Cup quarterfinal in 40 years. However, unlike the high scoring South American sides of Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay gets it done with stingy defense. The Uruguayans enter this match having allowed just one goal in their first four games in the World Cup, a 68th minute score to Lee Chung-Yong in their round of 16 win over South Korea. Other than that though, keeper Fernando Muslera has been phenomenal, as he didn’t allow a single score in all of group play. However, don’t sleep on the ability of the Uruguayans to score goals of their own when needed. The star of their win against South Korea was Luis Suarez, who netted both goals in the 2-1 victory. He is joined by veteran Diego Forlan, a well respected forward who had two goals earlier in this tournament. credit: nowgoal

.. Uruguay's goal machine, Luis Suarez..

Africans Behind Ghana: A Few Quotes
Jomo Sono – South African Football Legend
“For me, Ghana are the most impressive side. They are organized and they can go far in this tournament. What I can say is that once an African team goes to the knock-out stages, it won’t be easy for any team that will have to face them. The confidence will be a key factor.”

Alexandre Song – Cameroonian Defender
“Ghana are a great team. They have played very good football throughout this competition. For them to be this far is a reward to their determination. I am confident that they will do well.”

Steven Pienaar – South African Play Maker
“We hoped that there would be more African teams to play in the knock-out stages. But I guess that the most important thing is to support whichever African side goes forward. Ghana are a quality side. They have some good players and they have the potential.” credit: livesoccertv

In a fan’s own words, when the boys go kicking on the epic theater tomorrow, it’s a nation’s harmony in the hands of Milovan Rajevac. It’s the gaiety with which the local fans will celebrate history that rests on one man’s tactical astuteness. A certain Serbian!

.. Ghana's Stephen Appiah would bring his experience to bear..

NII A-MAR IS-AAC (90MINUTES)