Stars step up training as competition for position intensifies

Cabinda, Angola, Jan. 13, GNA - The Black Stars of Ghana stepped up their training regimen two clear days ahead of their game against the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire with keen competition among the players for a place in the final eleven as the dominant trait at the training grounds. With two training sessions each day, the players have been very busy with their work out rate and tactical preparations at each session to fine tune themselves for the crucial game which has been described as a make or break affair.

One dominant trait that has been noted at the training grounds is the keen competition for positions at training, especially in the defensive and attacking areas.

FA President, Kwesi Nyantkyie told GNA Sports in Cabinda at the training grounds that competition for position at training is good for the team, adding that it is a sure way of bringing the best out of the players. The competition for positions has for obvious reasons is due to the absence of some key and regular players of the team due to injury and other reasons and the inclusion of some members of national Under-20 team, the Black Satellites who excelled at the FIFA World Under-20 championship. Ghana is in the competition without captain Stephen Appiah and his deputy John Mensah, regular right back John Painstil, as a result of injuries as well as midfield gem Sulley Muntari on grounds of discipline. In the goalkeepers department, number one keeper Richard Kingson will have no competition from any of other two keepers but will be concerned with the personal with whom to man the defence as that will definitely be the headache of coach Milovan Rajevic.

On the right side of defence will be Hans Adu Sarpei and Samuel Inkoom who seem to be competing for that position, whilst Harrison Affull, Inkoom will have to make claims for a position at the left side of defence and a decision on the part of the coach to use Rahim Ayew for that position will bring further competition for that slot.

There are clear indications that coach Rajevic might consider using young Ayew for the left side of defence after the player excelled at the same position during an international friendly against Angola before the commencement of the tournament.

Veteran Eric Addo might be a first choice option for coach Rajevic in central defence but his pairing partner will be the major huddle as the coach has at his disposal Isaac Vorsah, Jonathan Mensah and Lee Arday to choose from.

At the last training session monitored by the GNA Sports, it was not known which of the three central defenders, apart from Addo will be relied on for the area, which is considered to be a major trouble spot for the team.

But for the absence of John Mensah, it will definitely have been a two- way combination of Addo and Mensah for the central defence. The absence of Michael Essien and Anthony Annan has thrown open the competition for a place in the midfield department, where Agyeman Badu, Dede Ayew, Rahim Ayew, Moussa Narry, Haminu Dramani and Kwadwo Asamoah will battle for a position in the final team that will pitch strength against the Ivorians on Friday at the Estadio Nacional De Chiazi, Cabinda. With a high rate performance by each of the players at training, it will be difficult for one to point out any individual and specific player that will make the final team especially in midfield, but Asamoah is definitely a starting line up material whist Agyeman Badu also seem to have a little edge over the rest.

From observations made by the GNA Sports at training, pairings for the striking department will come with little ease if Asamoah Gyan is 100 percent fit as he will definitely pair with Mathew Amoah in attack. Coach Rajevic told GNA Sports on Tuesday that Gyan was not 100 percent fit but as the days pass by, there are indications that the striker will be available for the game on Friday barring any unforeseen circumstances. However, the issue of supporting staff for the striking department will be the second huddle to clear with the presence of Opoku Agyeman, Ransford Osei and World Under-20 Best Player Dominic Adiyiah. Interestingly, coach Rajevic seem to have more than four players who are utility materials especially in defence.

He can rely on Inkoom and Rahim for any of the two lateral positions as well as midfield roles, whilst Arday, could equally be good for any of the lateral positions.

On the other hand, Vorsah who originally is a central defender has been a midfielder for his German Bundesliga side, Hoffenheim for the past years and could be relied on a role in the heart of play. Competition for positions at training has been keen indeed and only the best will be up for the final eleven, but it is likely coach Rajevic might have problems with selection and pairings in other departments but a perfect blend will see a super delivery from the team when they take on the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire on Friday.