Sports Features of Friday, 5 April 2013

Source: Sammy Heywood Okine

Eben Assifuah- Arising Star To Watch

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Black Satellites top strikerEben Assifual is certainly a rising star with a bright future. He boy who emerged second best scorer at the just ended African Youth Football Tournament in Algeria may be one of the answers to the goal scoring problems of Ghana.

Assifuah believes the Ghana U20 team stands a good chance of making out of the World Cup group of death which includes European champions, Spain, France and the USA. The Black Satellites have it all to do in Group A haven been drawn against the famous Spanish youth team, the experienced France and the adventurous USA. Ghana will be looking to win its second U20 World Cup to atone for their African Youth Championships final defeat to Egypt.

Many however fear the tough draw handed the Black Satellites could wreck the team’s ambition at this summer’s tournament in Turkey. But striker Assifuah believes the Ghana U20 side stand a more than equal chance to make it out of the group.

“They are all human beings and therefore we have the chance of beating them,” the Liberty Professionals forward said.

“I remember we played Barcelona’s junior team before going to the African Cup and we drew with them.

“They are not anything, we can beat them because I believe we also have a good team.”

Ghana will open its World Cup campaign against France before facing Spain and the USA in the subsequent group games. Ghana led by Andre Dede Ayew conquered the world to become Africa's first world champions. Dede was very inspirational and led the Satellites 2009 to beat the world.

Most Ghanaians believe the 2013 team has what it takes to rule the world. With players like Moses Odjer, Francis Narh and Kenedy Ashia as well as captain Lawrence Latey with GoalKeeper Antwi representing Ghana, they can survive the first round and go on to win the World Cup again.