Ghana�s Group Is An Open Group To All - Ben Koufie

A member of the Technical Committee of the Ghana Football Association, Ben Koufie, who is also a former GFA Chairman, has told Ghana Sports that Ghana�s group at the 2014 World Cup is open and just like the others every side has the chance to qualify to the next stage of the tournament. Ghana begins the tournament with the United States of America before taking on Germany and Portugal in Group G. Ben Koufie is optimistic the Black Stars will go past the group depending on the outcome of the game against the USA. The Black Stars could exit the tournament, however, if they lose their opener, says Mr. Koufie, who was once coach of the Black Stars. �In 2006, Ghana lost 2-0 in their first game against Italy but after that went on to win against the Czech Republic who were favourites and finalized their place in the group with a win over USA,� he stated. �So whatsoever happens in our first game with USA at the 2014 World Cup will still be a motivation to our team,� he said. According to him, a win for the Black Stars over the USA in their opening match will be a motivation in the next match against the German machine. �If they win, they would be motivated more, if they lose they would have to come out of that loss and win the next match. �So it is an open group for all at the world cup,� he added. Ben Koufie believes that even after losing 0-1 to Germany in 2010, Ghana went on to reach the quarter-final stage and Ghana were a more formidable team than the Dutch team that got to the final stage of the 2010 tournament.