Five Ghanaian players To Light Up Serie "A"

The clarion call for this weekend in Italy is "Let the games begin" in reference to the start of the 2003/2004 football season for Serie A regarded by many as the best football league in the world.
But as the games begin boffins in that part of the world are still trying to piece together absence of the Black Stars in next year's Africa Cup of Nations. Don’t be surprised that they are seeking these answers, because the influence of Ghanaian players in the Serie A is growing by the year and shows no sign of abating.
The first reason why the Italian pundits are posing this question is the exploit of John Mensah of the Italian Serie A side Chievo Verona. The 21 year old who arrived at Chievo from Genoa last season carved a healthy reputation for himself in the lateral defence of his team but it looks like things would get better for him this season. He has been used in the favourite central defence position in pre season matches but it is not certain if he can stay at his favourite position. But what is certain is that he would be on the starting line-up when they kick off their campaign this weekend against Brescia. According to his current form he can maintain his lateral defence position for the entire season. During the course of the season he can land the central defence position he if improves on the wonderful season he had last year.
The coach of Juventus, Marcello Lippi has admitted that they are favourites for the Italian Serie A title along with AC Milan but for him the ‘discovery’ of Stephen Appiah would swing the scales to their favour. This comment is hugely complementary for the captain of the Black Stars who has pushed the legendary Dutch midfielder who has graced the football field like a warrior. For the 22 year old Ghanaian international to take his chair under the table of Juventus, let alone push Davids to the background speaks volumes about the positive impression he has made in the off season matches. Now is the time for him to stamp his authority and take the position for keeps as Davids is breathing heavily down his shoulders. ppiah is assured of a starting place in their match against Empoli tomorrow but his participation in future matches for Juventus is heavily staked on his performance in this match where is likely to be faced by another Ghanaian Razak Ibrahim.
Razak Ibrahim who has returned on loan from the French second division team St. Etienne where he made a huge impact is also likely to play an integral part of Empoli’s campaign. After playing in the obscurity of second division teams in Europe Razak has been given the opportunity to stay in the Serie A. He has returned to also command a regular place in midfield albeit in the off season. Injury some few days ago has confined him to the physio of their team but he should be ready to play more matches for Empoli. If he is cleared to play tomorrow by the doctors he would expected a fight with his captain at the national level.
Contrary to reports that Gargo Mohammed has been sent to a third division by Udinese, his name is firmly printed on the team list for Udinese this year. The defender whose career with Udinese was blighted by an ankle injury last season which resulted in his loan spell in the Serie B should command a regular place if is back to former form. Gargo will wear the number 5 shirt of Udinese this year. Sulley Muntari who surprised pundits when he broke into the first team of Udinese is scheduled to make some more appearances this season in his number 32 shirt.
As you can now see boffins have the right to question plummet of Ghana in the face of the quality players in top leagues in Europe. Don’t even forget that apart from Gargo Mohammed all the players are qualified to play for the Black Meteors only if the government would invest financially and the GA would run its affairs in a professional manner.