Ghana wins massively but cracks still remain

I know I will probably be accused of nitpicking because beating anyone, even if it is Sudan by four goals to nil, especially in an era of surprising results is worthy of commendation.

Don’t get me wrong; I was absolutely delighted to see the Black Stars show how clinical they are against the Nile Crocodiles and it was a pleasure to do TV commentary as well, but clearly, if Ghana is to make it to the 2014 World Cup, all visible cracks, from both on and off the field need to be attended to so that the team is sufficiently fine-tuned. This piece will look at a number of issues that I feel need addressing immediately.

Captaincy saga

We were all told that Asamoah Gyan has been appointed the substantive captain of the Black Stars and since his appointment, all issues pertaining to the controversial captain’s armband had been put to rest, or so we thought.

I recall arriving in Kumasi on Friday and hearing that Gyan was going to give the armband to Sulley Muntari because he considers him senior to himself. Initially I thought about publishing the story but I decided not to because I simply did not believe that it would happen, especially when Gyan’s thigh scans showed no damage.

So you can imagine my shock when the players came out of the tunnel and Muntari is indeed wearing the armband with Gyan in tow. After the game, discreet enquiries turned up the fact that Asamoah Gyan gave the armband to Muntari for just the game on Sunday.

This opens the door for serious questions to be asked. Was Muntari not considered for the captaincy because of his injury at the time, because he was Kwasi Appiah’s first captain as a substantive coach? If he was, the why was Gyan made the substantive captain? Couldn’t Gyan have acted until Muntari returned from injury? Is Gyan uncomfortable wearing the armband with Muntari around? Why did the Black Stars technical team, the management team and indeed the Ghana Football Association allow this?

Seriously, Gyan’s gesture, though well intentioned, has merely drawn unnecessary attention to the issue of the armband and quite frankly it is a spectacular PR own goal by the GFA hierarchy. The GFA has to sort this out once and for all before cracks begin to appear in the team because of the armband.

Do not forget that it happened during the Abedi Ayew and Tony Yeboah era and the ensuing divisions prevented that Black Stars generation from going to the 1994 World Cup. A word to the wise is enough!

Slow build up play of Black Stars

Even though the Black Stars trounced Sudan 4-0, a better team would have made Ghana struggle. The build up from the back was rather slow and the Black Stars lacked pace.

Fortunately for the team, Sudan’s attack was not sharp, but the Nile Crocodiles know how to keep possession of the ball and that explains why, for long stretches of the second half, Sudan dominated the midfield exchanges.

I am also beginning to feel that the players were actually running out of steam in the second half, which begs the question of what sort of fitness training regimen the players are under during training sessions.

True, the Black Stars had two late goals, but that was largely down to the second half substitutes. Muntari looked exhausted after an hour and so perhaps a critical look needs to be taken at effective fitness training regimes for the players.

Muntari and Asamoah cannot play in the same team

It was obvious that Muntari had been told to attack from down the flanks, and it is only the tactical awareness of the AC Milan midfielder that took him through. I have always maintained that Muntari has evolved from a pacy left winger into a deep lying playmaker, a role he excels in at AC Milan.

Watching the game on Sunday, Muntari kept moving infield to take over playmaking duties and that is why he still managed to make positive contributions to the game. The same cannot be said of Kwadwo Asamoah, who was given the playmaking responsibilities by Kwasi Appiah.

So often, his first touch let him down and uncharacteristic of him, some of his passes went wayward. Indeed he began to improve, albeit slightly when Muntari was replaced. It is such a pity because in my view, Asamoah is the most skillful player in the Black Stars now but he seems to be boxed in every time he plays.

Many coaches will always try to accommodate both players, but in my view, they are too similar to play together in the same starting eleven. So this conundrum should be sorted out quickly because a more tactically adept team could easily take advantage of the role conflict when both player play.

Kissi Boateng not the answer; at least not yet

I have always admired Richard Kissi Boateng’s ability to attack as an overlapping left back, right from his days at Liberty Professionals until now, but his Achilles’ heel has always been inability to track back quickly after going forward.

In his first competitive start for the Black Stars, he was brutally exposed by the Malians and indeed was at fault for the second goal Ghana conceded that day. I honestly thought that, even though he deserves to be in the Black Stars squad, Baba Abdul Rahman would have been a better option at left back because he recovers better and defends better.

Indeed, Sudan noticed Kissi Boateng’s weakness and attacked his flank constantly. We can only hope that the TP Mazembe full back improves on the defensive side of his game, but he did himself no favours on Sunday.

Maybe Rahman did not get his chance because it was his first call up, but sometimes decisions are not based on seniority. I just hope the technical team would have taken note.

John Boye needs competition

One thing I was happy about was Kwasi Appiah’s decision to start Emmanuel Agyemang Badu from the bench. The Udinese midfielder was going a bit stale in recent matches and clearly, he was feeling too comfortable in his role.

That decision took him out of his comfort zone and it was evident that he looked more focused than we have seen him in recent games when he eventually came on. He also scored for good measure and that shows that in life, we all need kicks up the backside to rouse us out of a sense of complacency.

From what I saw on Sunday, John Boye probably needs a similar kick because his decision making is becoming suspect. He also needs to be taken out of the firing line so that he comes back better.

He is no doubt a fine defender, but this is not the same Boye who shone at the 2012 African Nations Cup. He definitely needs competition and the technical bench will need to do that so rouse him from sleeping in the “City of Complacency.”

Too much access to the players

In a conversation with one of Ghana’s top coaches, I got to know that the Black Stars players were not given enough protection by the GFA in terms of accessibility. Simply put, too many people had access to the players at the Golden Tulip where they lodged ahead of the match.

The top coach I spoke to described the atmosphere at the hotel as akin to a market place. Indeed, I went there myself to see a friend after Saturday’s evening training session and what I saw was simply put, an eyesore.

I believe that before such important assignments, the players need full focus and concentration and it is the responsibility of the GFA and the Black Stars management committee to ensure that there is limited access, even though the hotel is accessible to all.

For instance, what stops the GFA from ensuring that the players move to and stay in their rooms at a set time? Instead the players entertain visitors well beyond 11pm. Frankly, whoever is responsible for camp discipline should be up and doing.

My colleague Gary Al Smith penned an excellent article on the same subject and whilst it may not look significant, this could actually represent one of the many thin lines that lie between doing well and actually winning things.

Clarity over Kwasi Appiah’s future

When I broke the news a few weeks back that Appiah would end up getting the sack after the Sudan game, the news was met with general disbelief. As I said back then, Appiah has not been told anything but this is a decision that has been taken behind his back.

I am reliably informed that following the exposure of the scheme, the top hierarchy at the GFA is now unsure of what to do regarding the former Black Stars captain. I can tell you on authority that despite the 4-0 result against Sudan, opinions are now split on the future of the head coach.

For me, the GFA has to come out and clearly state their intentions because recently, I was reliably informed that even if Appiah earns a stay of execution, he will not be maintained even if the Black Stars qualifies for the World Cup.

As a journalist, I can only report on what I know, even though in terms of opinion, I do not think it would be right to sack Appiah. I would love him to stay, but others have different opinions and indeed some of the decision makers want him out.

Lobbying is going on regarding other coaches and so for now the GFA has to make its stance on the matter crystal clear. For me, it is not about granting someone a stay of execution, but it is about either confirming the long term future of the person or telling the person that he is no longer needed. Pretending to support Appiah will help no one, least of all the team. GFA, the ball is in your court.

For now, these are some of my observations and hopefully the highlighted cracks will be fixed and soon. What we can all agree on is that we cannot start celebrating just yet, but work hard towards getting the Black Stars qualify from the Group phase, after which the playoff round awaits