Home Coming King (Part 1)

LAST weekend was dubbed the home coming weekend for our senior national team, the Black Stars. The occasion was the 4-nation tournament organised to take full advantage of the FIFA dates for internationals. The last time the Stars played on home soil was that glorious September afternoon in 2005 when Michael Essien and Matthew Amoah starred in the 2-0 defeat of Uganda at the Baba Yara Stadium enroute to that historic World Cup appearance. The four nation tourney was rightly timed and the decision to play it in Ghana was quite appropriate but as usual, I heard the eternal critics (they have actually made a profession out of criticising) suggesting that the opponents were mediocre. I really hope that sometimes people would take the pains to understand issues before criticising. I don't honestly remember the last time Ghana played so many high profile friendlies. Since the World Cup, we have played Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Austria, Australia, Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, yet we are being told we play mediocre teams. Give me a break!! More importantly the closeness of the games sort of mimics a tournament (like the CAN) format. This is the third time after the Austria -Brazil and Morocco - Saudi Arabia double headers.

On a weekend that Nigeria lost to Australia (a team we drew with), Senegal beat Mali 3-2, Morocco held a second string French national side to a 2-2 draw whilst Cote d'Iviore lost to Angola, we have a lot to be proud of. I watched the entire Senegal Mali game and wished it had been showed to all Ghanaians for us to appreciate how these friendlies are played (in terms of spirit) so that next time Ghana plays any friendly, we can accurately assess the team. Berti Vogts was complaining that the Nigerian team lacked midfielders and that it was enough to have so many strikers in a team. This man knows his job for I have been making this point for as far as I can remember but somehow people fail to realsise this, or intend to ignore it entirely. Ever since Nigeria lost the strength and creativity of the likes of Sunday Oliseh, Daniel Amokachi, Amunike, Siasia and Finidi George, they have never been the same and that was the reason we run over them in our last friendly. When I predicted on radio that Ghana was going to perform better than Cote d'Ivoire at the last World Cup, I was chastised. Everybody says the Ivorians are strong and have strength in depth. This is quite amusing because if you ask them to name the quality on their bench, all we hear are names of their strikers: Aruna Kone, Dindane, Kalou etc. Next time please ask those people to mention their defenders and midfielders on the bench and I bet you, no one can mention two or three. We have all been swayed by their attackers. How many people even know their current goal keeper or even his back up? Any serious football analyst would tell you that a collection of strikers never win anything.

Now to our own Black Stars, playing at the Ohene Djan Stadium may feel “strange” to some of the players but overall, I feel it was a good work out for the boys.

Richard Kingson - Didn't have much to do. The only time he was called upon to make a save, he got injured in the process. Probably Sammy Adjei should have replaced him at that stage. For those with short memories and think Sammy Adjei is so-called Black Stars match rusty, he was our no.1 goalie until Kingson's great performance against Stuttgart and Sammy's own nervousness against South Korea prior to the World Cup. He was also in the posts after Kingston got injured in a recent friendly.

John Paintsil - God finally listened to our players and he is currently playing first team football for West Ham. His offensive play last Sunday lacked the sharpness and accuracy required at this level but I am confident that with few more games under his belt he would deliver.

Hans Adu Sarpei - As dependable as always. Probably the reason why people still believe we have a problem at this particular position is that he is right footed but that has been the story of Ghana football as far back as I can remember. Most of the players we have used in this position haven't been left dominant players. From 1978 to date Ofei Ansah, Awuley Quaye, 80 Hesse Odamtten, 82 Kwame Sampson, rest of the 80s Joe Odoi, Philip Tagoe, Kwasi Appiah, 90s - Sammy Adjei, Sam Johnson, 2000 - Jacob Nettey, Amakwah Mireku etc. The left dominant players have been Benard Whyte, Eben Dugbartey and Habib Mohammed.

Kofi Amponsah - Glad to have seen him back. The Stars missed his assured tackles and general presence at the back. He was one of the best players at Mali 2002. Got injured against Burkina Faso in Kumasi and that was it. He partnered well with John Mensah. Those who had palpitations anytime Dickoh played can now relax now that Shilla Illiasu is yet to rejoin the team.

John Mensah - What can is I say about “The Rock”. Our defence was never the same in his absence. A great joy to have him back. He brought confidence back to the back four.

Michael Essien - Played a controlled game you could always sense that he could go up a few gears if need be. He took control of the game in the second half.

Laryea Kingston - His free kick was intelligent and his general output was alright but LeRoy has to sort out the midfield roles well. He sometimes doubled up with Stephen Appiah on the right side of midfield. With Muntari mostly in the middle, the midfield area looked too crowded. He and Sulley must drift wider to give the team more width and thus make space for Appiah to operate in.

Stephen Appiah - His long injury lay off affected his sharpness and most of his passes went astray. He should have been taken off earlier. He would recapture his old form with more games for Fenerbache.

Sulley Muntari - Had an off evening where nothing seemed to work for this great midfielder. His performances for Portsmouth this season gives me so much hope.

Junior Agogo - I have been in love with this player since his debut for Ghana. His physical presence is so crucial for the team. His work rate is an added bonus. His passing has improved a lot. Look at his pass for the first goal. He should be the first striker for LeRoy.

Matthew Amoah - He was my favourite simply because of his finishing but he needs to work extra hard if he wants to regain his position in the team. His confidence is all gone. He needs goals in his club side to regain his confidence.

Baffour Gyan - Made an immediate impact when he came on. He brought more bite to the attack and a general sense of urgency. His goal was well taken. I have therefore crowned him the Home Coming King. The rest of the substitutes didn't have enough time to express themselves. Can't wait to see the team take on Benin today. Wish them well.

Back to my editor.