In normal circumstances, this would be a very simple question to answer, and the answer would be a firm YES. Yes, Ghana, who are ranked #5 on the FIFA CAF list can easily handle Equatorial Guinea, who are ranked 39th in Africa and 118th in the world.
Yes, Ghana, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations four times can handle the hosts, who have only made two appearances at AFCON and have not yet tasted silverware in this tournament. Yes, the Black Stars, who have had a strong campaign so far can handle National Thunder, who had been eliminated during the qualifiers only to return as tournaments hosts.
However the answer can not be a straight forward yes this time.
In addition to the fact that an AFCON semi final can never be easy, the Black Stars of Ghana will be up against a really dangerous and determined opponent in Equatorial Guinea on Thursday.
An Equatorial Guinea team that has nothing to lose, having been one of the least fancied nations all through AFCON. A team that will have the backing of thousands of its home fans at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo. A team that is only participating in CAN 2015 because Morocco refused to host the tournament and they jumped at the chance. A team that has seen off giants like Tunisia and Gabon during the group stages.
Ghana, on the other hand, are sweating on the fitness of Asamoah Gyan, who took a knock when he collided with Guinea’s keeper during the Black Stars sensational 3-0 win over the Guineans. Nobody knows if he will be fit for Eq. Guinea, and to make matters worse, he is still in recovery following the bout of malaria he suffered early on during the tournament.
If he can’t make it to the field on Saturday, can Ghana make it without him? Or will it be another capitulation like their 2-1 defeat by Senegal that happened in the absence of Gyan?
Furthermore, this is Ghana’s 3rd consecutive semi final showing, having been eliminated by Zambia and Burkina Faso in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Have they shaken off their AFCON semi final curse? Do they have the recipe to progress further?
Coach Avram Grant and his men will provide answers to these and more questions on Thursday. What remains to be seen is whether they will be the answers Ghanaian fans hope for and expect.
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