The brilliant show by the home based Black Stars of Ghana that has earned them qualification for the maiden African Nations Championships, has given the nation some hope that the much talked about rebuilding exercise for World Cup 2010 is on course.

The Black Stars held their Nigerian counterparts, the Super Green Eagles, to a pulsating goalless draw in the second leg qualifier in Calabar and this was enough to see them through to the finals. The Stars had won the first leg in Accra 3-2 and Nigeria needed only a goal to qualify, but Ghana put up a terrific show and in the end Nigeria was even lucky to escape defeat, as the Black Stars came close to scoring in the dying minutes.

Nigeria, who had reached the final qualifying stages by eliminating Burkina Faso, took Accra by storm in their match against Ghana and took a commanding 2-0 lead by the half hour mark. Ghana had to fight to reduce the deficit just before the recess and in a blistering second half performance scored twice to carry the day.

With two away goals to their credit, Nigeria were highly favoured to advance for the finals slated for Cote d’Ivoire next February but the Black Stars rose to the occasion and won admiration for their excellent football skills and bravery.

The Nigerian quartet of Henry Uche, Olawale Cletus, Bello Musa and Musa Kabiru, who nearly caused havoc in Accra were effectively held in check by the Black Stars strong rearguard of Habib Mohammed, Ofosu Appiah, Daniel Yeboah, and Edmund Owusu Ansah backed in the post by Philemon McCarthy who was really tops.

This victory has really vindicated Serbian Coach.Milovan Romaic, who had promised to deliver if given more time to survey the terrain for more hidden talents. There is no doubt that inclusion of McCarthy, a product of Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord, gave the defence a solid protection and Ghana was not afraid to attack.

The general observation is that, this home-based Black Stars is quite a promising team but the fear is whether they would continue to be home- based long enough to give the coach ample room for team building. The rush by these youngsters for the so- called greener pastures abroad has disturbed a progressive team building. The snag is that most of them end up warming benches abroad and the resultant frustration disturbs their forward march to stardom. The nation is ultimately the loser.

It is my considered opinion that, it is time these teenagers were properly counseled about the need to mature properly for the high demands of a true professional player. Club officials should also consider the future of these youngsters and resist the temptation of the small benefits accruing from the percentage of transfer fees at the expense of these innocent young players, most of them from rather poor backgrounds

It is strange that goal king Eric Bekoe of Asante Kotoko fame was in such a wild haste to play abroad when the home based Black Stars of which he was an integral part were in such a crucial match .It is good that the coach was able to vary his tactics and the absence of Bekoe was not felt much as Alex Asamoah, Kojo Poku, Yaw Antwi, Francis Coffie, Agyemang Badu and others rose to the occasion. Now that Eric is no longer home- based and can’t play in the novelty African Nations Championships, it is hoped he would maintain his form and merit inclusion when the full Black Stars is assembled for the World Cup matches.

This victory by the Black Stars is another of the sporting successes that should help dilute the political tension in the country as a result of the forthcoming Presidential run-off.

It is hoped that this week’s exciting pairings in the premier league will help further lower the high political temperature in the country.

Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.