Ghana are still in the race

After beating Liberia, can this Black Stars side now go all the way?

Sport Online's Mark Gleeson says that Ghana shouldn't be written off just yet in the race to get to the World Cup finals

I'm not sure how many people have noticed, but Ghana still stand a chance of qualifying for the World Cup and might yet pull off the comeback of the campaign.

With all the attention on Liberia and the fairytale rise and fall of the Lone Stars in the qualifying campaign, plus the stunning resurrection of Nigeria in Sudan, the Black Stars have been forgotten.

In fact, Ghana's national side faded out of the reckoning as early as January, when they suffered that surprise 1-3 home defeat by the Lone Stars in Accra.

The result contributed to the sacking of Jones Attaquayefio two months later and wholesale chances in the team.

Not in their hands

Out went the big name foreign-based players like Samuel Osei Kuffour and in came a domestic-based squad that has now gone six matches without defeat.

Charles Amoah is one of only two pros in the team which beat Liberia

More importantly, Ghana have won two huge morale-boosting games away from home inside the last month - first beating Zimbabwe 2-1 in Nations Cup qualifying in Harare and then forging out that famous win in Monrovia.

Any chance Ghana have still depends on the two other contenders in group B and, surprisingly, bottom-placed Sierra Leone.

Firstly, Ghana must win in Accra next Sunday against Sudan to keep on course, a task they should confidently fulfil.

Secondly, they must await the result of the other match on July 14 - when Liberia travel to Sierra Leone. If Liberia win their last qualifier away in Freetown next Saturday then Ghana's slim hopes suffered an abrupt end.

However, a draw or a win for Sierra Leone would keep the Black Stars in the race.

Classic encounter

In fact, it would then set up the most eagerly anticipated of matches; one steeped in traditional and rivalry against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Emmanuel Duah - the other pro in the Black Stars team

Ghana would have to win in Lagos on July 28 to go through but do have history on their side.

Even if Nigeria have been to the last two World Cup finals, have the high profile stars and home advantage, this is one tie that only the foolhardy would dare predict - either way.

It might also seem a little unrealistic to predict the Black Stars are going to qualify but for those of us neutrals seeking a fairytale end to the qualifiers, Ghana have the potential to take over from where Liberia left off.

We might yet see the roller coaster ride going.