The Squad List And Noises

Never in the history of this country has the announcement of a list for a major football tournament generated overwhelming debate and attracted fury from sections of Ghanaians than what the coach, Ratomir Dujkovic released for the impending World cup tournament in June 2006.

Indeed, when the head coach, Ratomir Dujkovic hinted that his list would be out last Friday, the state of anxiety among football loving fans was enough to explain how much interest people had in knowing who could and who could not make the list. Of course, even before the much-awaited announcement, speculations had been rife as to who could possibly be in the final 23. Indeed, the raging debates, now, tilt to the position that not many people are content with the quality of materials being sent to the world cup.

Reports monitored on some radio stations in the country barely a few minutes after the press conference announcing the squad list indicated that there were some demonstrations in Kumasi and Accra over the exclusion of some players, especially Baba Armando, from the list. Other reports had it that some players of the national team not only expressed their disappointment, but one of such players, Isaac Boakye, was reported to have announced his resignation from the national team. However, if there was any one of such comments that could further question the quality of the players selected, then it is the one made by Stephen Appiah, the captain of the team. In this piece I will attempt an analysis of the list and indicate that irrespective of what material the coach has selected, Ghanaians should rally behind him and the team. .

It seems the Stars? disastrous encounter at the just ended African cup of nations, which witnessed one of the poorest performances from the team, has not offered any lessons. When the Black Stars played their Nigerian counterparts, the coach was quoted as saying that he did not want to concede goals, which is the reason he adopted a defensive mindset. Thus, even when at some point of the game, it was obvious that the Stars could match the overly respected Nigerian team; (at least from the point of view of the coach) it was not enough to make Dujkovic change his formation in the second half of the game. Even against Zimbabwe, quite apart from the reality that the Zimbabweans kept on drawing rings round the Stars, there was, obviously, little option in attack, until the introduction of Armando who threatened the opponent?s defense and pulled a goal back for the Stars; the Stars had been reduced to mere chasers of their own shadows.

Any careful observer of the list released by the coach will notice that there are as many as ten (10) defenders, (John Paintsil, Samuel Osei Kuffour, John Mensah, Addoquaye Pappoe, Sheila Illiasu, Dan Quaye, Issah Ahmed, Habib Mohammed, Hans Adu Sarpei, and Eric Addo), only one (1) defensive midfielder, (Michael Essien), two real strikers (Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah), two half strikers, (Razak Pimpong and Alex Tahcie-Mensah), and one real offensive midfield threat in Stephen Appiah. The coach listed Eric Addo as one of the midfielders but he does not come close to that unless of course the coach would like to use him for that purpose during the tournament, while Razak Pimpong is mainly a winger and not a full striker.

I am not really concerned as to whether the players are the right materials for the tournament (as that is solely the decision of the coach) but I am worried about the agenda of the coach for the tournament. The defensive midfield and the attacking options for the team are too scanty for a major tournament like the world cup. Does the coach have a similar mindset for the tournament like he did in the match against Nigeria in the nation?s cup? Is the team going to prevent an avalanche of goals or it is going to be a real threat to any opponent like our African predecessors did in the past? I am concerned about our striking options which leave us with only two players one of whom is recuperating from an injury and the other who has been hit by some injury. Ever since the nation?s cup, Matthew Amoah (even though he has consistently been our main weapon for goals) has not been fully fit (or not back to form, at least from some Dortmund games I?ve seen) and Asamoah Gyan just recently picked up an injury. Doesn't that weaken our striking force? Shouldn?t that be enough to make the coach beef up the striking department with one or more players who can serve as effective substitutes in the event that these players fail to glitter or get injured (God forbid!)? Indeed, if the coach claims that he left out Isaac Boakye because he was injured, how about those he selected but who are nursing injuries? As far as I know, Isaac Boakye is back from injury and doing tremendously well. I listened to him indicate that he was back from injury and was training. More so, the coach seemed to have made a good argument about Armando?s lack of commitment to the team but I wonder if his argument about the player?s inability to find a club [which is why he was left out] is fair and sound considering that there are even some players who feature for some clubs but who never tasted any action the whole of the season, for their teams. Isn?t it ironic that the club-less player is the one who got most of the goals for the team this year? He scored in the pre-ANC friendlies, scored a consolation goal in the Stars? match against Zimbabwe, and was the only real threat when the Black Stars played Mexico. Should we believe that there is more we have to know as far the relationship between the coach and Armando is concerned? From a personal point of view, the coach appears to want to settle for one striker per game.

What happens to the defensive midfield position in the event that Michael Essien is unable to play at any point? Don?t we think that there will be too much pressure on Michael Essien? In fact, when he was not able to feature in the ANC 2006, due to injury Ghanaians were witnesses to the excuses given because of his absence and I don?t want to believe that the technical handlers are looking for good excuses in the event the team should fail. There are several unforeseen events that could happen within a game?two yellow cards, red card, injury, and other forms of suspension?and lack of options could hamper the efforts of the team at making any real impact. As far as I can see, the team is imbalanced. I don?t care who makes the team but I care what happens to the team due to poor decisions.

Already, the team has not made any real impression this year, as it has won only one match, (against Senegal) drawn one (against Stuttgart) and lost all the others ( against Togo, Ismaili, Tunisia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mexico and Nice). The positive development, however, is that all these are happening before the tournament which will give the coach enough time to map out a good strategy for the world cup. The coach has already defended his squad, which is an indication that he is in-charge [agree?] and expects to take the praise or accept the blame in the event the team repeats what happened in Egypt. However, I must also indicate that we might disagree with the coach as to his formation or even who should and who should not make the team but we should be careful such comments should not be entrenched that they could disintegrate the team. In fact, comments from some players and other authorities seem to indicate that all is not well in the team. Stephen Appiah, the captain of the team was reported to have expressed his unhappiness about the inclusion of some players, and even though he has issued a press statement (not denying the substance of the story), questioning why it has become an issue for debate, I don?t think granting an interview to the media about who should and who should not make the team was a good idea. In what country and in which part of the world do players have the right to choose who they want to play with? Indeed, should captains of teams be consulted when a coach decides to choose who should play in what match?

Obviously, Stephen Appiah has a lot of influence and commands a lot of respect among his team playing mates and even the authorities and any such PUBLIC comments has the potential of disintegrating the team. Just as any other Ghanaian, he could be concerned about the quality of materials but he could have spoken to the coach or any other individual about his concerns without necessarily going public with his views. Of course, it does not change anything if he spoke to the coach and the coach refused. Stephen, you went too far! Be careful what and when you say what and when you grant interviews to the media. I don?t know if Isaac Boakye?s decision about his unwillingness to play for the team is the right thing for the team or for him, but surely it is not good for Ghana football. And do we have to take to the streets because our favorite players have been left out of a team? The English coach, Erickson, decided on Theo Walcott at the expense of Shaun Wright-Philips but hell did not break loose. In fact, in the year that Scolari dropped Romario from the Brazilian squad for the world cup, there was some noise but no one ever went on a demonstration demanding his inclusion in the team. Personally, I have said a lot about Boakye and Armando but in the wisdom of the coach they should not make the team. It appears it is too little, late. We will, thus, do ourselves a lot of good if we support the team, no matter the level of dissatisfaction. We can only be cautious about our utterances and wish the team well as the coach attempts to do the impossible. The senior national team has suffered from petty squabbles, in camp, in the past, which have stolen what could have been fine performances from the team at major tournaments. In fact, the Abedi-Yeboah incidents readily come to mind. The coach has SPOKEN and let?s rally behind him and the team!

Godwin Yaw Agboka (USA)

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.