Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE SPORTS indicates that only a handful of Black Stars players are in London for the Ghana/Nigeria match, scheduled for the Vicarage Road Stadium.
This was partly due to the fact that the 2011/2012 league season has resumed in some European countries such as France and Germany where Black Stars players ply their trade. Isaac Vorsah, for instance, was said to be in action for Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim over the weekend.
The stalwart defender, alongside others like John Paintsil, is however expected to be in full effect at today�s Black Stars training at their Hertfordshire base to fine-tune preparations for the match.
Fans from back home, as well as Ghanaians resident in England, are expected to back the Black Stars as they take on their Nigerian counterparts for the second time in England. In a chat with DAILY GUIDE SPORTS, a cross-section of Ghanaians resident in London expressed their resolve to cheer the Black Stars to victory.
Amoako Atta, a Ghanaian resident in London, noted: �Even if Ghana will lose to any other nation, it should not be Nigeria, no matter how inconsequential the match. That is why I would be at Vicarage Road (stadium) to support the Black Stars on Tuesday.�
Jennifer Boateng who flew to London to watch the match, courtesy African Origin Travels, said: �I was here for the Ghana-England game, and it was evident that our support for the team paid off when in the dying embers of the game, Baby Jet (Asamoah Gyan) equalized for Ghana at Wembley. In the same way, we will carry the day on Tuesday.�
This enthusiasm notwithstanding, many journalists and stakeholders are worried at the luke-warm attitude of Ghanaian footballers and officials regarding the encounter.
Perhaps, their attitude is informed by the fact that Ghana had beaten Nigeria in their encounters in the last few years, said one critic. Ahead of the match last week, Nigeria coach Samson Siasia began the mind games by hailing Ghana as the best team in Africa.
He suggested that in tomorrow�s game, the Super Eagles are only going to �do their best� but they expect Ghana to carry the day.
Again, many a critic has taken the comment with a pinch of salt, contending that it is only a ploy to get the Black Stars to be complacent and then avenge the 4-1 drubbing of Nigeria by Ghana in 2007. Siasia is good at such games, employing same to outsmart Coach Jones Attuquayefio for the final slot of the 2008 Olympic Games.
DAILY GUIDE SPORTS� attempt to get Ghana Football Association officials to comment on the matter proved futile, as none had been spotted by the paper in London as at yesterday.
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