The Black Stars performance against the Cranes of Uganda at the Kumasi Sports Stadium creates doubt as to whether they would have what it takes to force a draw game in Rwanda in a fortnight's time to book a place for Tunisia 2004 next January.

The expectations of Ghanaians were very high based on the calibre of players assembled for the encounter against the Cranes. Through out the entire game, it became evident that the hope that the nation carried into the game was not enough to ensure a good result as the Stars were unimpressive.

As usual, the lack of urgency that has characterised our game when it comes to our Senior Team manifested itself again as 90 percent of our so-called idols hardly played their hearts out and relaxed as if the 90 minutes of the game would never end.

In the first sixteen minutes, the Stars were on top dominating the entire game but were playing to the gallery as they resorted to passing the balls among themselves in their own half where they displayed yet again their non-beneficial skills as if that was going to fetch the goals for them.

It was glaring that the applauds they received from the fans in return for their display of skill was enough and that they did not need to do what matters most- - scoring the goals.

Tactically, the team was bankrupt as they lacked the idea of operating from the flanks when they found the middle to be occupied by the Cranes and were foiling any moves made by the Stars. It was obvious that Stars attack marshalled around Augustine Ahinful and Charles Amoah had little coordination and could hardly create clear chances to score.

Skipper Stephen Appaih who could be seen as the only exceptional on the day was moving deep into the defence for balls and racing into midfield when duty calls. In his such moves he occasionally over dribbled and ended up losing some balls which could have been valuable.

The Stars attack could therefore hardly create clears chances and the few they set up was in the air and therefore to the advantage of their taller opponents. Their brightest chance at goal in the first half was Appiah's typical thunder 30-metre drive that the woodwork denied him what would have been a spectacular goal on the half hour mark.

It had become obvious in the first half that Amoah and Ahinful were not co-ordinating their efforts up- front but it took coach Buckhard Ziese too long a time to appreciate the need for a change. When he finally introduced William Teiro and Lawrence Aidoo the two appeared to have played more aggressively than those they took over from.

Addoquaye Pappoe had also not played well in his strangely assigned role, which John Painstil had proved over the years that he is the guru of that role. But the ex- Liberty utility star was left out when his inclusion could have benefited the team.

Though it is logical that the most possessive side in every game is most likely to carry the day, the Stars story was different. Instead of carrying the game to the visitors, they choose to play offensive game to their own disadvantage.

The risk was not without mistakes as their opponent occasionally threatened the Stars goal area with Eddy Ansah in post who was not tested in the afternoon. Abubakeri Yakubu of Ajax fame was no better as his passes and clearances were full of misdirection while Kofi Amponsah looked too heavy.

For Bayern Munich Sammy Osei-Kuffour, the least said about him the better. The defender abandoned his role as a defender and took it upon himself to join the attack though he was incapable of making any meaningful impact in that direction. On some occasions he was seen snubbing Appiah whenever he intervened and directed that he should move back to the defence to help matters.

So glaring was his attitude that the skipper at a point sought the assistance of coach Ziese to bring the player to order. When the coach came to the touchline he was meet with boos from the spectators.

The Stars equalizer was really fought for. In one of the team's chances upfront Ahinful raced into the Cranes box and his perfect cross-met Amoah who expertly headed home to bring back life in the hitherto dead stadium.

The fans went wild with cheers with the aim to inspire the Stars to victory with only five minutes to go.

That might have brought out the best in the team but not enough to fetch another goal.

Coach Ziese might have been disappointed by his boys performance hence his refusal to speak to the press in a post-match interview. The disappointed fans who cried for his blood followed up to besieged the VIP entrance after the game.

His escort by the security was most timely.