By Fredrick Naduli aka Razor,

Star-studded Ghana arrived in Equatorial Guinea as one of the strong favourites to claim Africa’s biggest football prize,but their lukewarm display against Senegal will leave their most staunch followers doubting their overal ability to even get off the group.That they let the Lions of Teranga claw back and run away with all points right at the death will further cast aspersions about their mental fitness and focus.

GYAN FACTOR AND WHY THEY LOST

When the team filed out from the tunnel,talismanic captain Asamoah Gyan was missing from the side.He,alongside defender John Boye were out with illness.In recent years,the Black Stars have relied heavily on the Al Ain striker,perhaps too much to cope without his influence and leadership.Ghana looked slow and ponderous under the sweltering Equatorial humidity.

Ironically but perhaps not surprising,it was the Ayew siblings who,together,were called upon to pick up the Gyan mantle.Andre took up the skipper’s armband while Jordan stepped in to lead the attack.While both took up their roles with gusto,neither really stood out from the crowd.Admittedly,Gyan’s absence could be felt big time,from Accra to Kumasi to Takoradi.The general feeling is that the team must learn to cope without their twenty nine year old skipper,even as he approaches his football twilight.

Technically,Senegal looked betterTheir patience,pace and physical presence left the Ghanaians chasing shadows,unable to contain the likes of Moussa Sow and Mame Birame Diouf.

GET THEIR FEET

With opening defeat in the toughest group of the tourney,the Black Stars of Ghana must find their feet pretty fast.Algeria and South Africa lie in wait,and there will be no time for the West Africans to nurse their wounds.
Granted,they have a young squad with average age of twenty four,but keen observers will be quick to point out that that factor is purely academic.
Ghana must get out of their cocoon and perform,there is nowhere for them to hide.