Kalusha praises Ghana

FORMER Zambia national soccer teams technical director Kalusha Bwalya has praised Ghana for their World Cup performance.

Ghana on Saturday delivered Africa's first win in Germany after stunning the Czech Republic, the world's second-best team, through a 2-0 victory.

Bwalya, who is in Germany as a member of the FIFA technical committee described the Black Stars' performance as great. "It was a great performance from a team that keeps on growing," noted Bwalya in his analysis posted on world football mother-body, FIFA, website.

"Ghana knew what they wanted to do today Saturday. They were not hesitant, they came up with a plan and stuck to it.

"Their influential players, Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah are playing in key positions but Ghana did well in every department. "The goalkeeper, Richard Kingson, did well and the concentration of the back four was exemplary.

"It was difficult to keep the big centre-forward, Vratislav Lokvenc, in check but they were always up to the challenge and if the ball did get past them, then the keeper was extremely reliable."

Bwalya noted that Appiah, the more offensive midfielder, and Essien, playing the holding role, were the driving force of the team. He said striker Asamoah Gyan had an exceptional game up-front. "He proved a gateway for Ghana, showing himself for the longer pass, holding the ball up well and using his strength to the full," Bwalya added.

"But choosing the man of the match was not easy because it was a solid team performance and attack-minded always. Ghana were a joy to watch."

He said the Czechs were also a super team, tried and tested. Bwalya said new Arsenal signee Tomas Rosicky and Pavel Nedved were world-class players and after every Ghana attack, they came back searching for the equaliser.

"It led to a very open game. If you look at ball possession and running with the ball, the technique used was high quality," he said.

"A word for Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech who was outstanding, making several fine blocks to keep his side in the game especially after they went down to ten men."

He said despite Ghana's first goal coming in the second minute, the West Africans showed they meant business from kick-off. Bwalya said the goal was reminiscent of the purposefulness of their play.

He said in the second half, Ghana tried to kill off the match but the Czechs had a chance even after the penalty until the second goal came in the 82nd minute.

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"We felt that one of the African teams would soon win a match, so it was good to see that a promising team, still developing, can beat a super side like Czech Republic," Bwalya said.

"They started here where they left off against Italy. The performance has cheered a lot of people in Africa and beyond." Despite losing to Italy 2-0 in their opening game, Saturday's win has rekindled Ghana's chances of qualifying to the knock-out stage.

All four are alive to advance, depending on their games on Thursday. The Americans play Ghana and the Italians face the Czechs.