Semis ‘too close to call'

Ghana and South Africa will contest the first, before Nigeria take on long-time rivals Cameroon in the other semifinal at the same venue.

And given the history of rivalry and games between all four semi-finalists, it’s fair to say the competition has reached the business end in the real sense.

The Ghana-Amajita game is being touted, by those who have closely followed this tournament, as potentially the most beautiful in large parts due to the similarities in style between the two sides.

Ghana played what their coach Sellas Tetteh called “champagne football” in their opening game against Cameroon, but it was South Africa whose style over their three games that deserved the tag.

You could call the Amajita the Arsenal or Barcelona of this championship. Their passing has been crisp, quick, effective and spot on with bags of skilful players littered all over the field.

Coach Serame Letsoaka has promised the same saying his side won’t change their style against Ghana.

“It would the quick inter-passing game as usual,” he says.

Serame knows Ghana well, having watched all their three group games from the stands. He reckons Ghana captain Dede Ayew lacks match fitness and his confident in his often packed midfield, led so expertly by Dylon Claasen, will be able to get the better of the Ghanaians.

Ayew, certain to be key for Ghana, insists that while he may be suffering from knocks picked up in the group games, he is fit as ever. He will be central to Sellas Tetteh’s plans.

The Ghana coach says he has admired the Amajita’s quick passing game and is impressed by their “wonderful technique”. But he insist that his side runs better on the ball and are faster on the wings and knows the route to the goal better. Those factors, in Tetteh’s opinion, will win Ghana the game.

Ghana is hoping to play in the final of this competition for the first time since winning on home soil in 1999, while Amajita will get a maiden appearance in the final if they beat the Black Satellites.

One thing is certain. This is a game between two sides with mutual respect for each other. And the youngsters will be aware of the rivalry at international level that is gradually building up between them.

“We know what Ghana-South Africa games mean,” Dede Ayew says. “I think it will be a great game.”

South Africa captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele reckons it will be their most difficult game to date but is in no doubt who will win.

The second game between Nigeria and Cameroon will be a meeting between two sides who have combined brain and brawn at this level.

Nigeria, the most successful country at this level will be supremely confident of winning with Chrisantus McCaulley back.

The two semifinal games are two difficult ones to call.

The certainty is the quality of football will be top notch on the evidence of the way all four countries have played so far.