Milo’s loyalty – Ghana or Serbia?

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevic looks on as his players warm up. Photo © Cleva Media/Fotosports

Where does Milovan Rajevic, the Cajetina Serbian in charge of The Black Stars loyalties lie?

Why do I ask this question? Well, it’s only relevant because today Ghana will be starting its World Cup campaign at Loftus Versfeld Stadium with a well-anticipated game against Serbia…yes Serbia.

I can’t believe there are issues surrounding the professionalism of the man who guided Ghana to their second consecutive World Cup with two rounds of qualification matches to spare.

“There are some suggestions that I may not be fully committed to beating Serbia. That is complete nonsense. I can understand the passion, but they should think again because I am not here to give away matches,” retorted Milovan Rajevic

Rumours appeared in local Ghanaian media insinuating that ‘Serbian authorities have started extreme tactics to intimidate Ghana Coach Milovan Rajevac ahead of their World Cup clash as his US$1.5m mansion in the country has been razed to the ground. The demolition men believed to be from the Zlatibor Town Council carried out the demolition of the property even though the Ghana boss said he had all the papers granting him the permission to build the property.’

These allegations are probably based on African myth and folklore. If you are old enough to remember, at the 1974 World Cup in Germany, Zaire were trounced 9-0 by Yugoslavia, soon after unsubstantiated rumours started to do the rounds, suggesting that the Yugoslav coach of the African Leopards, Blagoja Vidinic, fixed the game to favour his home land.

However, bear in mind that in Rajevac, Ghana has its third Serbian coach and all any Black Star fan wants is for Milo to emulate or better his compatriot Ratomir Djukovic’s record in taking the Black Stars to Round 16 at the World Cup in Germany 2006. This Serbian side topped their qualifying group that included France, Romania and Austria. The White Eagles of Serbia have in Nemanja Vidic, Dejan Stankovic and Nikola Zigic, some hidden gems that will prove to be a headache for Ghana, Australia and Germany.

Speaking of Germany, the absence of Michael Essien, Ghana’s talismanic talent, will give Kevin Prince Boateng a chance to showcase his talent. I hope he seizes this opportunity to shine in the central midfield role. Having switched his international allegiance from Germany he seems hungry and willing to give his best.

Yet controversy is never far away when Prince Boateng commits himself to tackle the opposition, timing is not his strongpoint.   His most recent victims have been Wolfsburg’s Makoto Hasebe (pictured) who was on the receiving end of a high flying kung-fu kick that Jackie Chan would have been proud of and ironically the crunching tackle that injured German captain Michael Ballack forcing him to withdraw from the World Cup. The latter could turn out to be a blessing hardly disguised but nevertheless in Ghana’s favour!

Borrussia Dortmund's Kevin Prince Boateng performs a kung-fu kick in the face of Wolfsburg's Makoto Hasebe. Photo © Cleva Media/AMA

There are still concerns remaining with regards to Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah and Kwadwo Asamoah’s fitness, but my juju doctor told me not to worry and that every thing will be fine. Better be!

This group, luckily for Ghana is wide open. Australia, Germany and Serbia are all worthy adversaries, because they are aggressive and technically aware, and as such Ghana needs to be wary of the dangers they all pose.
Fact is Ghana have won the World Cup three times! Admittedly, it was the FIFA U17 World Cup (1991, 1995) and last year’s U20 World Cup, when they beat Brazil.

I am confident of the Black Stars, because more than half of the team that won the World Cup last year also went on to reach and unfortunately lose the African Nations Final in Angola. Luckily for all concerned, they have also been selected for this squad.

God Bless my homeland Ghana!

By Dj Kobbie

Tags: Black Stars, Cleva Media, Dj Kobbie, FIFA, Football, Germany, Ghana, Kevin Prince Boateng, Makoto Hasebe, Michael Ballack, Milo, Milovan Rajevic, Seen Sport Magazine, Serbia, South Africa, World Cup 2010