Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is leaving no stone unturned in his team-building effort by continuing to monitor players in Europe even while on holidays.
Ghana football authorities asked the Serbian to go on a well-deserved one-month holiday after an amazing run in recent matches that has seen the Black Stars on the verge of World Cup qualification at halfway stage.
But the coach is showing no signs of being comfortable with Ghana’s cosy place in the World Cup qualifiers as he has cut short his holidays to monitor players.
He broke off from the relaxation in his home country to monitor Ghanaian midfielder Issah Awal, who plays for Serbian side Red Star Belgrade on Friday.
Rajevac drove 400 kilometres from his home in Belgrade to Zlatibor to watch Awal in action for his side as they played a Macedonian side in a friendly.
The Black Stars coach watched as Awal impressed with Essien-like performance for 70 minutes before he was substituted.
Awal has never played for Ghana's national team which has probably the strongest midfield in Africa and Rajevac is keeping the Black Stars open for players who can surprise and claim their place in the squad.
Rajevac refused to comment on his observation of the Ghanaian player after the game but Awal is happy that the coach is also monitoring players in obscure leagues.
“It is refreshing to know that the Ghana coach is not only looking at players in the big European leagues but also looking at us playing in the small leagues,” Awal journalists.
“It give us the encouragement that all players are at least being given a fair chance to represent our country and I am very happy he came to watch me.
“With a performance like this he told me he was happy with my performance and I am also aware of the players playing in the same position in the Black Stars.
“I am ready to come and prove myself if he gives me the chance. But I don’t know if I will be called up or not.”
Ghana is in the same qualifying group as Mali, Sudan and Benin for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
At the halfway stage the Black Stars have opened a five-point lead with maximum nine points after three matches.
Rajevac is expected to drive back to Belgrade on Saturday to monitor the Ghana team at the University Games as they face United Kingdom after a reprieve enginnered by the Serbian following the late arrival of the team.
