Ghana's Olympic Prospects

As the 25th Olympic games kick off in Athens, Ghanaian athletes will be hoping to win the first gold medal for Ghana or the first medal, of any color, since 1992. Ghana will participate in only two events - athletics and football. For the first time in our nations history, there will be no boxers. At the last Olympic games in Sydney, Ghana did not win a single medal out of Africa's total medal tally of 35 with nine gold medals.

Here's a look at the Ghana's best prospects

The Black Meteors became the first African team to win a medal at the Olympic men's football tournament when they took the bronze in Barcelona in 1992. They have a good crop of young European-based players who should give a good account of themselves. They will be seeking to emulate Nigeria and Cameroon who won the football tournament at the past two Olympics. Led by Stephen Appiah who plays for Italian giants Juventus, the Ghanaians have also included Baffour Gyan from the senior squad.

Aziz Zakari (100m): His commanding displays in the run up to the Olympics is proof that Zakari can win a medal. Zakari has beaten Maurice Greene and run a personal best of 10.00 seconds this season. That has left him in confident mood. ?Now I feel everything is possible, he told the BBC. Looking at the way the 100 meters is going, I think anyone can win it?, Zakari said.
If Aziz succeeds, it will be Ghana?s first medal in athletics.

Ignatius Gaisah (long jump): Rated as one of the top three jumpers in the world, Ignatius can snatch the gold in the unpredictable long jump event. He was fourth at the last world championship and my bet will be on him to snatch Ghana's first gold medal.