Black Stars big threat, says Owusu

ADELAIDE United and former Ghana international striker Lloyd Owusu could be Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek’s secret weapon to beating the Black Stars at next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

While much of the focus has pointed to the opening clash between the Socceroos and Germany in Durban, Owusu said writing off Ghana was fraught with danger.

“If they take Ghana lightly it’s going to be at their peril,” Owusu said. “Ghana are physical but we’re technically good as well. The Socceroos have to be very aware of the Ghanaian team for sure.”

The Socceroos, Ghana and Germany all have one thing in common. They all lost to eventual world champion Italy in 2006. Ghana faced the Italians in the opening round before the Black Stars were knocked out by Brazil (0-3) in round of 16 while the Socceroos crashed to Italy (0-1) at the same stage of the tournament.

“I was there with Ghana in Germany and the boys did so well,” Owusu said. “We beat the US 2-1 and the Czech Republic 2-0 to get to Brazil.

“I believe we’re a lot stronger this time. We can do the business against the Socceroos.”

The affable striker said he struck up a long-standing friendship with Ghana and Chelsea’s Michael Essien – the midfielder who could destroy Verbeek’s engine-room – on international duty.

“To be fair we’ve got some great footballers not just in Africa but in world football,” Owusu said.

“We’ve got Michael Essien and a host of world-class players. Sulley Muntari, he’s at Inter Milan and our captain Steven Appiah, he played with Juventus and now he’s at Bologna.”

Owusu was on the verge of being in Ghana’s first World Cup appearance in Germany in 2006 but was forced to give up his place after rupturing a groin in a World Cup warm up match for the Black Stars.

“I was having a good season with Brentford and we played FC Stuttgart in Germany and I ruptured my groin,” he said.

Owusu said he was in awe of Ghana’s talent when he joined the national squad for the first time in 2005.

“To be honest I didn’t know who Essien was at the time he was playing in France,” he said.

“But when I joined in training Essien and the guys were doing a keep-ball session. I stopped in the session, it floored me.They were just so good, technically, it was unbelievable.”

Australia faces the Black Stars on June 20 in Rustenburg.