On a day the Black Stars did virtually all the attacking against the USA as they opened their campaign at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, it was the Americans who did the most important thing – fetched the goals.
USA claimed a famous victory against Ghana, running away 2:1 victors after racing into a 19th second lead and finishing off the game on the 90th minute mark to give Jurgen Klinsmann, who had abandoned his seat in the technical area in favour a perching squat when the game was virtually against his side, a right to smile.
And it was a moment of carelessness in the Ghanaian defence that denied the Black Stars, who should have won the game hands down, a consolatory draw.
The result leaves the Ghanaians’ fate in the tournament rather precariously, and Coach Kwasi Appiah summed that up with his post-match interview when he said Germany, who the Stars play next, will not be easy prey.
“Germany won’t be easy but we will try our best” were his concluding remarks, putting the defeat squarely on moments of poor concentration.
Not only was the USA’s early goal unsettling, he said the momentary loss of concentration by his defence after the Black Stars fetched what was considered a most deserved equaliser, was always going to prove disastrous, more so when the opponent sought revenge.
Kwasi Appiah said playing in the difficult group the Black Stars find themselves mean they must obtain some good results in the two remaining games.