Building a winning Black Stars

– a commentator’s view

By Christopher Opoku

It might come as a surprise that I am writing on such a topic at this time, but with 2013 African Nations Cup qualifiers coming up, it is important to constantly remind ourselves of how the senior national team is shaping up and as pundits, it is always a responsibility for us to assess the team ahead of coming assignments, with specific reference to the team’s last two games against Lesotho and Zambia.

Goalkeeping - Kwarasey needs competition

In my view, even though Adam Kwarasey is the confirmed number 1 for the Black Stars, he should be pushed for his place. The likes of Daniel Agyei and Ernest Sowah do not often get game time and this is one area that needs to be sorted out. For me, friendly games are very useful in this regard and for Sowah in particular, he has to be capped so that Kwasi Appiah and his staff can properly assess him. With the seeming difficulty we had when Richard Kingston had no competition, we need to build competition for places in the goal-keeping department so that Kwarasey’s absence (if it happens) will not cause the technical undue anxiety attacks.

Right back - still a problem spot

The right full back position remains a problem area for the Black Stars and it has been so since John Paintsil lost form and subsequently his place with Leicester City in the English Championship. To be absolutely fair, Paintsil has been a brilliant servant for the Black Stars over the years and his discipline in tracking back was the reason why he was an automatic choice for Ghana for years on end. Unfortunately the injury he suffered before the 2010 African Nations Cup, plus lack of playing time since then has affected him. The point I am making here is that Samuel Inkoom, who replaced him in the Black Stars, has also lost form and is not as disciplined at tracking back. Also potential replacements like Daniel Opare, Yaw Frimpong and Godfred Saka are all excellent going forward, but have problems with recovery. Hans Adu Sarpei is a perfect example of the type of player Ghana needs now at right back. Perhaps, Harrison Afful would have to be moved from left back to the position, because he has matured from his experiences with CAF Champions League holders Esperance. Also, if Paintsil finds himself a club and plays regularly, I believe that he should be brought back to the team because in my view, he is not finished yet.

Left back - in the fixing mode

As I mentioned earlier on, Afful could be moved to right back and that will still leave us with options at left back, if friendly games are fully utilized. Richard Kissi Boateng is yet to be capped but he could also do a good job if called upon, and Greuther Furth signing Baba Abdul Rahman, despite his young age, is capable of doing a good job there as well. The return to fitness of Gideon Baah should also bode well and he could also be considered. For a right footed option, Daniel Opare is also available. The key thing is recovery. In terms of going forward, Ghana has excellent full backs, but recovery is an aspect that seriously needs to be worked on for Ghana’s defence to be tight on the flanks.

Central defence - A fit Mensah will be a massive bonus

In central defence, John Boye has battled courageously to make one slot his own. If he remains consistent, then he would be Ghana’s mainstay in defence for years to come. My considered view is that when fit, John Mensah remains one of the best centre halves in Africa, if not the best. With news that he might be joining Galatasaray very soon, let us hope that he gets over all his injury problems. If he does, a potential partnership with Boye will be a major bonus for the Black Stars. If not, then a look will have to be taken at other options. Isaac Vorsah seems a bit off the pace and would need to work on his pace and concentration. It is a pity that Jonathan Mensah has been a victim of a long term injury and so he has been unavailable for some time, because when fit, he is an option to consider. Jerry Akaminko would need to improve his reading of the game and positioning, whilst the likes of local talent Awal Mohammed, Rashid Sumaila, Edward Kpodo, Ahmed Adams and Kofi Agyare amongst others will have to be monitored closely ahead of a decision on selection.

Midfield - Muntari and Asamoah are incompatible in the same team

The last two games for the Black Stars clearly showed one thing; there is no room for two deep lying playmakers in the team. Before I expand on this, if you watched Italy’s run to the Euro 2012 final, the deep lying playmaker in the team was Andrea Pirlo, who sat in front of the back four and distributed passes with deadly efficiency. That released the likes of Ricardo Montolivo and Claudio Marchisio amongst others to support the attack of the Azzuri. What I am driving at is that Sulley Muntari and Kwadwo Asamoah are two players who are too similar to play in the same team. At any given time, only one out of the two should be starting for the Black Stars. With the way other teams will attempt to harry us out of possession in midfield, my candid suggestion will be to have either one of Muntari or Asamoah partnering Agyemang Badu in front of the back four. I know it means there might not be a place in the team for Derek Boateng or Anthony Annan, but in terms of mobility and starting attacks quickly, that might be a better option for us. With Muntari injured for now, Asamoah can play in the deep lying role and deliver inch perfect passes from deep, whilst Agyemang Badu provides driving runs from deep.

Flanks - Wide men with skill and pace

With the emergence of Christian Atsu and Ishmael Yartey on the flanks, plus Jordan Ayew if need be, getting a front three to back the lone striker should not be too problematic. Imagine Atsu and Yartey for example manning the flanks, with the returning Andre Ayew playing just off the lead striker. I have always maintained that Andre Ayew is gradually evolving into the player his father was and his best position is in the ‘hole’ behind the lead striker. Younger brother Jordan is also an exciting option cutting in from the left flank and so we do have options.

Attack - Clottey remains Gyan's best replacement

Up-front, even though Kwasi Appiah used a two-pronged attack comprising Jordan Ayew and Dominic Adiyiah, I think it would be better to use a lone striker for greater security and unpredictability. In this regard, until Asamoah Gyan becomes available, I believe that Emmanuel Clottey is the next in line to lead the attack. He has evolved into a tactically aware striker and his exploits in this year’s CAF Champions League should further his claims for a starting place.

In all of this, it is important that the Black Stars technical team continues to scout and properly monitor players so that those playing regularly and in form would be given the opportunity to play. September might seem a world away, but preparation will be key if Kwasi Appiah is to achieve a set goal of winning next year’s African Nations Cup in South Africa.