Stars Can Make It - Fashanu

Former Wimbledon star and ex-England international, John Fashanu, thrilled by the fighting spirit and overall performance of the Black Stars against the Super Eagles, has predicted boldly that the Ghana team were in a strong position to win the Africa Cup of Nations. For the burly striker, nicknamed Fash during his heyday, the decisive factor in the Ghanaian team is the commanding presence of midfield powerhouse Michael Essien whom he described as an influential player who brings world-class quality into the Ghanaian team. In spite of his sentimental attachment to the Eagles, the former Nigeria FA member could not hide his admiration for the Stars and particularly the Chelsea pin-up player. “There is one player called Michael Essien and he made all the difference today and he is one reason why Ghana are in a strong position to win the tournament,” Fashanu told the Daily Graphic last Sunday.“I played against Roy Keane and I know the kind of player he is; Essien is just like Keane and Patrick Vieira ...he keeps going, he’s tough, a battler and a winner,” Fashanu said of Ghana’s multi-talented star who rescued the team from imminent defeat with a timely first-half equaliser. On the evidence of Essien’s performance so far including two Man-of-the-Match performances, Fashanu believes that Ghana’s opponents must first deal with the new Stars captain before dreaming of eliminating the Stars from the tournament.“To beat Ghana you must first take control of the middle part of the game and that’s the department where Essien operates efficiently; he’s massive in the middle and commanding in defence as well,” Fashanu eulogised. “Ghana looks like favourites now because the team is winning, their confidence is growing and have the crowd behind them. Against Nigeria they showed character and came back from a goal down and with a numerical disadvantage they still managed to eliminate Nigeria. That’s the kind of never-say-die attitude of the team and a player like Junior Agogo runs at defenders and never gives up. He’s that kind of English type striker... just like Fashanu.” Ghana’s 2-1 victory over Nigeria was more enthralling because the team not only clawed back from a goal down, but also battled the Eagles with one man short for the last 30 minutes of the match after skipper John Mensah was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Nigeria’s Osaze Odemwingie. However, the team rediscovered their fighting spirit and fought back to score a late winner through Agogo. It was that kind of performance and atmosphere that won Fashanu over. “When Mensah was off I knew Ghana could win because during such periods 10 players tend to have stronger team spirit as the players redouble their efforts, play for one another and try to cover for the lost player. I have been in similar situations so I sensed the winning goal was just coming and it was a reward for hard work and a never-say-die spirit.”