Black Stars Coach Milovan Rajevac must definitely be pleased with the outstanding performance of his team against The Pharaohs of Egypt in the friendly match in Cairo on Wednesday. The 2-2 draw was a fair reflection of the trend of play even though the first goal by Egypt was clearly illegal. The Libyan referee was too hasty in whistling for a goal when the ball sailed over the head of Black Stars advancing goalie Richard Kingston.

Much to the embarrassment of the referee, the ball mysteriously hit the cross bar and bounced into play nearly a metre off the goal line but he had already pointed to the centre circle and it was a bit hard for him to change his mind. This reminds me of one famous radio commentator who often shouted a goal when the ball had not entered the net only to explain later that it looked all the way a goal until the goalkeeper saved it.

It was healthy to note that despite the fruitless protestations by the Black Stars against the goal, they did not lose their heads but came back strongly in the second half and scored twice before the home team leveled up in the closing stages of the game.

It was observed that Coach Rajevan made a few positional changes with winger Laryea Kingston into the midfield. He appeared jittery at the beginning but came on top as the game progressed. All good coaches often gamble with positional changes and Rajevan cannot be faulted for making any such experiments that would make the team stronger and stronger as the preparations continue for the hectic World Cup/Africa Cup elimination series.

As Rajevan continues to make changes in the team, I would like to recommend the inclusion of Black Satellites goal prodigy Ransford Osei to strengthen the attacking machinery. That boy is full of potential and he must be caught young.