GFA needs to respond to Hans Adu Sarpei’s Exclusion

“When different metals are heated, that is when durability among them becomes apparent.”

The Ghana Black Stars, even though, has a strong team and has been preparing well for the up coming CAN and WC games, its defensive end seems to have a huge problem. Our defense is weak, especially the left-full back, which is the # 3 position and the central half back, which is also the # 4 position. These are the positions the team is having problems with and should not be hidden because they will certainly be exposed when it matters most.

A telescopic view through all the qualifying matches including our recent Benin and Japan’s (friendly) defeat, has confirmed the weakest link of the team. The defensive end of the team is, as of now, the department pulling the whole ship down like a tail of Titanic. This is not the first time and will not be the last if nothing is done to correct the issue. I’m not sure whether GFA and Coach Milovan have realized such leakages or not.

According to Africaonline24.com’s analysis, we are not the only ones observing these obstacles. The fans, all over including those visiting Ghana web, sports column, regularly, have been complaining on this same issue and have been tagged Hans Adu Sarpei’s name to the left full back position. This was the reason why, Africaonline24.com took the matter into its own hands to investigate for an appropriate solution to the matter. As we all know, the Black Stars belongs to Ghana, and therefore, we are all responsible for the advancement of the team. In other words, favoritisms, toward the tasks ahead, CAN and WC games, will never allow the country to advance. Therefore, let Coach Milovan pick the best among the best!

The left full-back position will need a serious player to seal the leakage. It used to be a position where there was no problem since the WC 2006 until recently. During the WC 2006 and the CAN 2008, Hans Adu Sarpei had been the one orchestrating that position with Muntari going back and forth. Such a pair was superb. On the other hand, we cannot say that anymore, although, Muntari is still playing his position.

In other words, that defensive department had no problem until GFA began to test other players such as Harrison Afful and co. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good idea to test the waters; however, use the best afterwards. The WC 2006 and the CAN 2008 games are the measuring tools we all could go by because “everything exposed by the light,” as Paul said, “becomes visible.” The impression was after the experiment, the right and the best player would be allowed to mount that position. Up until now, the one who can play this particular position to the fullest, Hans Adu Sarpei, has not been called back for him to even justify his inclusion.

According to Hans Adu Sarpei, as the interview indicates, he was invited six months ago to come for a friendly match. He was glad to hear from his country’s officials in terms of his services. Unfortunately, his club’s management couldn’t allow him to leave. This was explained to the person who made the call for the invitation. According to Sarpei’s club boss, there was no way he was going to allow the player to depart from camp because, and the fact was, his club was playing the FA Cup Final match against Werder Bremen (Second best team in Bundesliga as of now) on that same day Ghana was playing the friendly match. Since then, he has not heard from GFA or anyone anymore.

The million dollar questions to GFA and Coach Milovan are as follows: What is going on between them and Mr. Sarpei? Why are they not calling him? Have they found a solution to the left full back position and no one is aware of it? What and whom are they waiting for before the situation in question would be solved? Ghana and the fans are waiting for the answers to these questions. Therefore, GFA and Coach Milovan, the county needs your help for the answers.

Not long ago, Coach Milovan was complaining about this same left full back position. On the contrary, nothing has been done positively toward the issue. Coach Milovan has been tracing some Ghanaian players all over abroad and even in US. The question still stands. Has he checked on Hans Adu Sarpei lately? If he has, then what is his response to the player’s performance?

As the interview clip showed, Sarpei has been playing well and even did so just last weekend. The game was an away match against a tough opponent, Schalke, which is now forth behind Leverkusen, the top club in the German league at the moment. The player, in question, is fit and has at least five more years in his tank. Therefore, guess what, he is available and will be available during the 2014 WC.

There is no insinuation as Harrison Afful and the other players Milovan is trying to mold for the benefit of the team are bad players. That is not it. The point is Harrison Afful and the rest so far, are not consistent as Sarpei was. Sometimes telling the truth hurt but it is always better, let’s face it. Besides, talking about experience, Hans has it all.

We should not forget that Christiana Ronaldo and co. may be in South Africa waiting to dismantle our little country. If you have seen Christiana Ronaldo play, you will understand my point. Players of C. Ronaldo’s kind, when they couldn’t penetrate from their left side of the field, (# 11 position) they do not hesitate to switch to the right side, (# 7 position) of the field. “When different metals are heated, that is when durability among them becomes apparent.”

This is why it is essential for GFA and Coach Milovan to allow the best players to represent our nation. If the country is going to Angola and South Africa with seriousness, Mother Ghana shouldn’t allow GFA to go with the mentality based on favoritism but the Best.

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Ransford Peprah

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