‘Ghana Will Win The World Cup’: The Festival Of Bold Predictions

May 27th, 2010 | by: chris |

ghana-u-20-victory-2 Ah, the wind-filled sails of patriotism, hope and World Cup fever. They inspire many things, like bold proclamations, regret and public humility – traditionally in that order. Takeshi Okada has learned first hand, and has become something of a whipping boy for the World Cup – with no one flogging harder than the Japanese – provided the complete mental block of Diego Maradona has begun. He still won’t back down from his statement Japan will make the top four even though FIFA have them barely out of the bottom four.

Succumbing to the same airborne wave of confidence, North Korean coach Kim Jong-Hun has declared his squad of question marks will make it to the knockouts despite being the ‘Death’ in the Group O’Death.

Not to be out done, Ghana president John Atta Mills has declared Ghana will win the World Cup. Why even bother with the games?

Fortunately, we know politicians aren’t the go-to men for our sports information, largely because they’re more focused on far more important matters. Or pretending more important matters will just go away by themselves (that’d be my platform). Whichever works.

So when they weigh in, it’s with a chuckle and a “you’re so silly”. Yet we aren’t the players, and hearing “you will win” from the president carries a different tone. So no pressure on Ghana in The Other Group O’Death.

“We will win the World Cup because God is on our side and I’m sure we’ve made the necessary preparations. I have no doubt that they will make all of us proud in South Africa,” the President said at last Saturday’s send-off Presidential Lunch with the national team at the Castle, Osu.

Will Ghana win? Probably not, even though that’d be genuinely fantastic. Will Japan make it to the semifinals? Not bloody likely. Will North Korea be good enough to make it past Brazil, Portugal and/or the Ivory Coast? Well…we don’t know. (No.)

But it does bring up an interesting question: Which is the most likely?

I say North Korea’s 5-4-1 pulling a Greece – what say you?

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http://twitter.com/RabsWorld Rab Bakari

Of course it would be nice for GHANA to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Presidents always say these things. But seriously; IF GHANA tops Group D; then a Round of 16 face-off against ENG; USA; SERBIA or even AFrica Cup of Nations participants Algeria create a real stumbling block for them to move any further in the tournament. BUT.. I still support. Adjusting my brackets accordingly!
TewDollars

Just read that Essien is for sure out. Ghana's claim stake just got shorter.
Bense235

I say we need to shut up christian athletes.
Geoffrey72

I actually think the brackets could open up very nicely for Ghana. Having watched the last half-dozen World Cups, I expect England to make the final 16 then stumble and not make the semi-finals. Ghana could finish 2nd in group behind Germany, and I can easily see them being the side England stumbles and falls to. Then in round of 8 they would play Group A 1st or Group B 2nd team — so probably not Argentina, but likely France or Nigeria, both very beatable. Meanwhile the likes of Italy-Spain, Argentina-Germany, and Brazil-Netherlands may well have to butt heads in the round of 8. Ghana can hardly ask for a better draw than facing England and France/Nigeria while bypassing those other 6 sides. Of course it will take quite a bit of good fortune to win the World Cup from there, but I can see Netherlands playing great to beat Brazil then badly vs. Ghana, and I can see Italy beating Spain and Argentina on penalty kicks then running out of magic vs. Ghana in the Final. It's a long shot but not as long as the oddsmakers are saying and unfortunately not as long as Ivory Coast's, stuck in a killer group and if they finish 2nd likely facing Spain next – ouch.