At times like this it is always nice to hear arguments for and against the inclusion of certain players into the senior national football team, the Black Stars as a major tournament like the World Cup beckons. This clearly shows how passionate we all are about soccer in this country and so perhaps we all have a stake in how Ghana does in South Africa. My last piece on the Black Stars generated a lot of debate which is quite healthy and long may it continue. I will now attempt to, in my own small way, generate further debate by attempting to name what I would call my opinionated top 23 for the World Cup, with other suggestions for so-called ‘stand-by’ players, even though Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac might not do what Ratomir Djukovic did before the 2006 World Cup. This list will be based purely on current form and regular playing time, in addition to a couple of wildcards but hopefully the debate can start once you read this, until Milo Rajevac releases his official list in the next couple of weeks.
Before I do so, let me state that I will leave out the likes of Richard Kingston, Stephen Appiah, Eric Addo, Haminu Draman, Dominic Adiyiah and Ransford Osei for the following reasons. Richard Kingston has yet to play a competitive game for Wigan Athletic this season and whilst he has done well for the Black Stars in the past and near present, inactivity and fitness issues as per his back make him a medical and physical risk. The coach may still take him by I certainly wouldn’t. Stephen Appiah’s record of playing competitively for Bologna reads as follows(as of the time of writing this piece); Games played: None. He has not played competitive club football for a long while and it will take a long time for him to build the requisite match fitness required. As I mentioned in my last piece, he can still go to South Africa as a member of the backroom staff to inspire the players but as a player, I would leave him out. Eric Addo has appeared in 12 out of 34 games for Roda JC Kerkrade in the Dutch Eredivisie and he has regularly warmed the bench for the last seven consecutive match days or so. That, coupled with the fact that he has been used as an emergency centre half for Ghana, when he is by trade a defensive midfielder, as well as my personal observation that the Black Stars defence in Angola looked more solid without him constitute the reasons I would drop him. Haminu Draman is an excellent trainer but tends to take wrong options during games and he hasn’t played for Locomotiv Moscow this season and that is why I have left him out. Ransford Osei hasn’t played any competitive league or cup games for FC Twente since his loan move, whilst Dominic Adiyiah is yet to break into AC Milan’s first team and that is why I will discount them from selection.
You will not see Michael Essien’s name in the list and that is only because of huge doubts about his participation due to injury and the fact that he would prefer to go the World Cup fully fit. Otherwise, he will the first name on the list, and if he should win his fitness race, perhaps Prince Buaben will then drop down to the stand-by list.
Below is the list of twenty three I would like to see in South Africa, with seven other players on the ‘stand-by’ list.
GOALKEEPERS
1. Stephen Ahorlu (Heart of Lions, Ghana): Ahorlu has been one of Ghana’s most consistent goalkeepers in the Ghana Premier League for over three years now and he exudes confidence that is thus instilled in the defence in front of him. He has a huge presence in the penalty box and will not be fazed at the opportunity to play on the World’s biggest stage. He is in fact, my first choice for the Black Stars in South Africa.
2. Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals, Ghana): Agyei had a brilliant 2009, winning the West African, African and World titles at youth level and his inclusion in Ghana’s squad for Angola 2010 was just reward for his form. He is a tremendously agile goalkeeper and an excellent shot-stopper, and his experiences will stand him in good stead. He has also had a good season in goal for Liberty Professionals
3. Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars, Ghana): For me, the best goalkeeper this year in the Glo Premier League. This has been a break-out season for Adams and he has exhibited agility and a good sense of timing plus an enthusiasm that carried him through matches. Because of him, Aduana Stars have conceded the least number of goals in the Ghana Premier League and his call-up into the local Black Stars is just rewards for his displays this season.
DEFENDERS
1. John Paintsil (Fulham, Ghana): Probably Ghana’s most consistent defender over the last couple of years, regular playing time at Fulham has clearly benefited the ex-Berekum Arsenal and Liberty Professionals man. He has developed an innate sense of timing; knowing exactly when to move forward and when to track back and his tackling has also improved tremendously. It is a measure of his importance to the Fulham team that he broke back into the team soon after a long layoff due to a knee injury. In John Mensah’s absence, he would be my choice for captain.
2. Samuel Inkoom (Basel, Switzerland): Perhaps Ghana’s answer to Brazil’s Dani Alves, Inkoom would probably be a first choice right back for many other African teams, but he remains excellent cover for John Paintsil. Also a member of the all-conquering Black Satellites of 2009, he has also improved on his recovery rate and tactical discipline, and he had a very good tournament in Angola when he ably deputized for the then injured Paintsil.
3. Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany): I once referred to him as a short-term fix and what I meant was that after the World Cup, perhaps his national playing days will be over. It has been good to see him getting playing time at Bayer Leverkusen and he is probably one of Ghana’s most tactically aware players. He is rarely beaten in a one-on-one situation and perhaps his only limitation is being predominantly right footed, which might limit his ability to get crosses in quickly when overlapping. Nonetheless, he remains my first choice left back for Ghana in South Africa.
4. Latif Mohammed (Great Olympics, Ghana): He has had a break-out season for Olympics and he has displayed an enormous appetite for working his socks off on the field. He has scored six times already in the Ghana Premier League this season, and he is also quite strong defensively. The left-back fully deserved his call to the local Black Stars and will be chomping at the bit, given the opportunity and he would not let anyone down, should he be called upon to cover for Adu Sarpei
5. Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea, Ghana): He has probably been the one major discovery for national selectors and has an assured look about him when he plays. He is two footed and technically he has a very good sense of timing for a centre back, and his ability to step into the breach during Angola 2010 showed clearly what he is all about. Addy is one of the major reasons why Bechem Chelsea has the second best defensive record in the Ghana Premier League this season and he might end up being a starter for Ghana during the World Cup and he will not look out of place.
6. Isaac Vorsah (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany): Once a raw central defender with All Blacks and briefly with Asante Kotoko, Vorsah has evolved into an excellent ball-playing centre half and clearly his football education in Germany has done him a world of good. It was great to see him on the bench for Hoffenheim this weekend, a clear sign that his injury problems are well and truly behind him. His ability to play in defensive midfield, coupled with an aerial presence for set-pieces make him a shoo-in for the squad. He had an excellent African Nations Cup in Angola, and should John Mensah be fully fit in time for the World Cup, it will be interesting to see the battle royal between himself and Addy for the right to partner Mensah. Otherwise, both players will still form a good partnership.
7. John Mensah (Sunderland, England): Should he overcome his fitness problems for the World Cup, he will be my choice to lead the team out. When he is fit, he is one of the best in the business, but my concern for him stems from the fact that currently he has to be protected because of his spinal issues and because of that, stringing a run of consecutive games is now a major problem. Perhaps Ghana football fans have to be grateful to Sunderland boss Steve Bruce for being so supportive, and whilst there is the lingering fear that he might be unable to play all three games, I will include him as a wildcard, provided that he remains fit after Ghana’s three pre- World Cup games.
8. Karim Alhassan (Hearts of Oak, Ghana): If Hearts of Oak remains in the running for a successful title defence, much of it is due to Alhassan’s leadership and ability at the back. ‘The Boulder’ has greatly improved on his sense of timing and the ferocity of his challenges has seen him likened to Argentina legend Daniel Passarella, in that the sound of his challenges can probably be heard in Osu whenever Hearts are playing at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium. Such is his talent that he is the current captain in only his second year and he has formed an excellent partnership with Addy for the local Black Stars. He will definitely be a valuable member in the squad.
MIDFIELDERS
1. Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway): He remains one of the best defensive midfielders in the Norwegian top flight and you can sense that it is only a matter of time before he lands a move to a bigger club. Strong and tenacious in the tackle, he is probably Ghana’s version of what Manchester United legend Eric Cantona describes as a ‘water carrier’ in apparent reference to former France captain Didier Deschamps. He works very well as a screen in front of the back four and he has benefitted from playing many games for the Black Stars alongside Michael Essien. He will, no doubt, be one of my starters in South Africa.
2. Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy): Another member of the all-conquering Satellites team of 2009, Agyemang Badu was in fact the player whose penalty won the World Youth Cup for Ghana and is fast developing into a fine box-to-box midfielder. His tackling has greatly improved and because of his adaptability to many roles, he will always be a coach’s favorite. Was one of the major reasons why Michael Essien was not missed in Angola and could do it again if, as feared, Essien fails to make it to South Africa due to injury. He set a record by being the first Ghanaian to break into a Serie A first team squad immediately on arrival in Italy from Ghana and his progression into the Udinese set up has no doubt improved him because he is also getting playing time. Should Milo decide to play his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, Agyemang Badu would be my first choice to partner Annan in front of the back four.
3. Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy): He is probably Ghana’s most talented player but a bit of an enigma as well. Has not had a particularly good season with Inter and his disciplinary record has been bad as well. Fortunately he is playing for one of the world’s best coaches in Jose Mourinho, who will definitely knock him in shape in time for the World Cup. His form seems to be improving recently after a long period of stagnation and his appearance in the Champions League second leg against Barcelona is a sign that he is beginning to lift his performance levels and improve his tactical discipline. Add that to the fact that he is one of Ghana’s highest goal-scorers from midfield and that should justify his place in the squad. I would use him from the bench in the last 25 to 30 minutes because I firmly believe that he would be a fantastic impact substitute because of his goal threat. Otherwise I will withdraw him after 65 minutes should he start because he tends to fade after an hour.
4. Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy): Undoubtedly Ghana’s biggest break-out star during the African Nations Cup, Asamoah has also been in scintillating form for Udinese and could very well prove to be Ghana’s key man during the World Cup. He is a major creative force with an eye for excellent passes and his ability to drop deep and suddenly orchestrate a counter attack will make him vital to the Ghana team. He will definitely be Ghana’s player in the hole should Milo use a lone striker upfront.
5. Kevin Prince Boateng (Portsmouth, England): Had he not developed into a party animal whilst at Tottenham Hotspurs, he probably will have been lining up with his younger brother Jerome for Germany against Ghana at the World Cup. Fortunately for us, he has since cleaned up his act and is a major reason why Portsmouth is in the English FA Cup final despite being relegated. He is a tireless workhorse with the ability to play down either wing or as a second striker and he has the requisite technical skill to go along with it. If his paperwork comes through and soon, hopefully, he will be a definite starter for Ghana on either wings and he will be a major asset to us.
6. Andre Ayew (Arles, France): Captain of Ghana’s World Youth Cup winners, Ayew has matured rapidly in the last three years and his ability to adapt to tactical instructions, coupled with a rich vein of form will see him in real contention to start for Ghana at the World Cup. He may not be as technically endowed as his legendary father, Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’, but his work-rate is massive and his appetite for work on the field is enormous. He has also displayed a willingness to track back when needed and has become more of a team player. Hardly surprising that he is a major reason why Arles would probably get promoted to the French top flight.
7. Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al-Saad, Qatar): Ironically, Owusu Abeyie could end up being a replacement for the injured Opoku Agyemang for both club and country. After a successful loan spell with Portsmouth, the winger, who has rediscovered some of his best form will offer Ghana lots of options down the wings. He is quick and skilful but the one big mark against him is that he is not much of a team player and he doesn’t often track back to assist the defence. I am including him as my second wildcard because he could also be useful as an impact substitute to open games up when necessary.
8. Prince Buaben (Dundee United, Scotland): He has undoubtedly been one of the star midfielders of the Scottish Premier League and apart from his abilities as a central midfielder, he also has the ability to play in the ‘hole’, one reason why I would include him in the squad. He will be excellent cover to have in the event of any injuries and he will be a valuable addition to the squad.
FORWARDS
1. Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France): If he recovers from his latest injury and stays fit, he is an automatic starter for the Black Stars at the World Cup. He probably would have scored more than 13 goals in the French top flight if he hadn’t suffered spells of injury, which has been his bête noire for the past couple of seasons. His contribution to Ghana’s run to the African Nations Cup final in Angola proved crucial and in the words of former Ghana striker and coach Jones Attuquayefio, he is probably the one player best suited to playing upfront on his own.
2. Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland): He has also scored crucial goals for Ghana in the past and has had an okay season so far in the Dutch Eredivisie, netting nine goals. He is quite useful to have as part of a two-pronged attack and as such he provides options should Milo decide to go all out in the course of a game. He will however need to step up performance levels to stake a claim to a starting spot. He however will be a key element in the squad.
3. Prince Tagoe (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany): The ‘Prince of goals’ has displayed a great mental strength in overcoming his fitness issues in Germany and despite experiencing a goal drought on his return to action, he has kept plugging away and his persistence paid off over the weekend with two decisive strikes against Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga. His pace also means that he can also be used as an auxiliary winger down the right and that again gives options to the team.
4. Eric Bekoe (Petrojet, Egypt): Currently one of the leading scorers in the Egyptian Premier League, the ex-Asante Kotoko striker is a penalty box fox, with the ability to act as a predator. He also practices free kicks a lot in his spare time and he offers a different option. He has the requisite upper body strength and speed, as well as enough skill to trouble any defence. He will definitely be a useful addition to the squad.
STAND-BY PLAYERS (SEVEN PLAYERS)
1. Laryea Kingston (Heart of Midlothian, Scotland): He has had issues with fitness as well as a running battle with his former manager but ne manager Jim Jeffries seems to have given him a new lease of life. He seems to be getting back into his groove but is yet to hit the performance levels which once earned him the right to be called the most exciting midfield talent in the Scottish Premier League. What he has on his side is experience and because he missed the last World Cup due to suspension, he is motivated, but I have him down on standby because he has not hit his normal levels yet.
2. Bernard Yao Kumordji (Panionios, Greece): Bernard is an elegant midfield who plays with an almost languid style, spraying passes and orchestrating play, making him one of the midfield stars of the Greek Super League. He however has to improve on his tackling and tracking back but will also be useful if called upon.
3. Kwame Quansah (Heracles, Holland): He is one of the most consistent performers in the Dutch Eredivisie and his role as a winger down the right has helped Heracles in their fight for survival in the top flight. Should he be called upon, he will be able to do a good job for the team.
4. Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia): Once Ghana’s first choice at left back, he has suffered a loss of form and has had to fight back to regain former levels of performance. Winning the league with Esperance will no doubt boost his confidence and should he be needed, he will be quite useful.
5. Awudu Nafiu (King Faisal, Ghana): He has been very consistent in the Ghana premier League over the last few seasons and is almost always unbeatable in a one-on-one situation. He could provide adequate cover should John Mensah fail to overcome his fitness issues.
6. Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak, Ghana): He has displayed an immense appetite for work on the pitch and chips in with very important goals. He has come a long way from the fresh faced kid that represented Sporting Mirren last season and could be a surprise choice in the reckoning.
7. Philemon McCarthy (Hearts of Oak, Ghana): Currently suffering from a crisis of confidence and by contrast, this season has not been one of his best. He probably would have been amongst my choice of three goalies for the squad itself if he had had a better season, and he needs to improve to get into the reckoning.
So there you have it. Let me stress that this is my opinion and it is subject to debate and criticism. So let the discussions, debate and arguments begin, at least until Milo unveils his final squad.
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