Milovan Rajevac, 68, has been a national hero in Ghana since 2010, and in 2022 he could become a comic book hero. Like a superhero returning from retirement and saving a thing.The Black Stars are not at the level at which Rajevac left them after the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they deservedly reached the 1/4 finals and were on the verge of becoming the first African national team to be among the top four sides in the world. However, notorious Luis Suarez’s handball and a red card seconds before the second over-time led to a do-or-die penalty for Asamoah Gyan, who failed big time and pushed his nation into a perennial trauma. Moreover, Ghana lost to Egypt 1-0 in the AFCON finals the same year, conceding a crucial goal with just five minutes left on the clock.Dear Ghanaians & Ghana FAI come in peace ✌🏼 Have u forgotten how outraged South Africans were at Suarez and Uruguay for that handball. We didn’t even want the penalty to be taken. We believe in fairness. pic.twitter.com/7VRwGOVauG— TK_Nala (@NalaThokozane) November 19, 2021 Almost 11 years later, Rajevac – better known for his nickname Milo, is back in the dugout and finding ways to recreate the previous glory. In an exclusive interview for Mozzart Sport Kenya just days before their opening AFCON fixture against Morocco on Monday, he gives us a thorough insight into the Black Stars squad and their expectations in Cameroon.”Ghana was once 17th on the FIFA list, and now we are 52nd. The national team has lost a lot, and we are now trying to restore its previous image. We managed to raise the team’s quality abruptly, in a short time, and that is why I think that reaching the WC playoffs is a more significant success than what we achieved back in 2010 “, explains he.As you’ve probably read on our website, Ghana will face Morocco, Gabon and Comoros in the AFCON group stage. “We are not among the favourites, but we were not in 2010 either, so we played in the finals. Ghana won the AFCON four times, but the last one was exactly 40 years ago. The ambition is always to go for the trophy, and such are the nation’s expectations. We have prepared well and will do our best, so we will see what it will bring us. We won the qualifying group, and that certainly causes euphoria among our fans “.AFCON 2021: Ghana and Morocco to be challenged by Gabon and debutants from ComorosCoach Milo shortened the squad list to the final 28 names. For example, Roma teenager Felix Afena-Gyan dropped out, and there are some well-known names like Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey. He was injured for some time, but his recent formidable performance against Manchester City, despite the defeat, brings back hope.”The Ayew brothers were also there in 2010, so I know them like no others, but in addition to the experienced ones, we also have young players who can make a serious impact,” says Rajevac, referring to Jordan and Andre Ayew.Xhaka on Partey: “He feels pressure for his 50-million-euros price tag”Among Ghana’s players, we should pay attention to is St. Pauli’s offensive midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh.”I recently went to Germany to watch him live. He is a great player, the best in St. Pauli. He was called up as a replacement if Mohammed Kudus could not play because he was injured.”The Serb tactician didn’t hesitate to talk about some more offsprings that are about to shine on the big stage. MON: 19.00: (2.20) MOROCCO (3.15) GHANA (3.90)Kamaldeen Sulemana from Rennes is still waiting for his debut in the national team, but he has scored four goals in Ligue 1 this season. Although 19 years old, he has already collected 25 appearances for Rennes. Along with the goals, he also has two assists, one of which against the mighty Paris Saint-Germain.”He’s a great potential. But young players tend to have lots of ups and downs, and that is why it is necessary to have a mix in the team with the older and more experienced ones.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##By the way, the Ghana coach believes that FIFA is not fair to the African national teams regarding the number of representatives at the World Cup. Five is too few for a 54-member organization (CAF).”African football is not respected enough when it comes to the World Cup. Out of 54 national teams, only five go to the World Cup, while three or four teams come from Central and North America, depending on the playoffs. And they can not compare to us in terms of quality. Africa should have at least six or seven participants,” Rajevac tells Mozzart Sport Kenya.THE BUILDER18 of Ghana’s 28 #AFCON2021 have never played at any major international tournament.The most inexperienced Ghana Afcon squad since 2010, when same Milovan assembled a chunk of U-20 WC winners to claim silver in Angola. pic.twitter.com/53m1ginbyL— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) January 6, 2022 In support of this claim, he cites the increase in the quality of African national teams.”Football is constantly advancing here. You have the examples of Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, which play at 1,800 meters above sea level, and it is not easy to beat them away. They have a plan, they work great, they run, they remind me of Brazil with their offensive game, and they never give up, “concludes he.
