The Virgin Defence........................

By: Ekow Arthur (NET2 T.V)

As we start praising Milo, Matthew Amoah and the entire team, I believe we need to recognise one department our Black Stars team, the Defence.

The back four of Captain John Mensah, Eric Addo, John Paintsil/Samuel Inkoom and Harrison Afful have been excellent in these three matches team Ghana has played so far. I know some folks out there will be saying its early or premature but I say if some names can be mentioned and be praised then our back four needs recommendation.

Keeping cleaning sheets in a game on this Africa continent is as difficult as Stoke city keeping a clean sheet at Old Trafford in a premier league.

Our back four players may not be playing for the Big teams in Europe but in John Mensah we have our own version of Vidic or John Terry. John Mensah might be playing for Olympique Lyon in the French Ligue 1 but we all know how the Ligue 1 has turned out to be the breeding place for all Big Teams in Europe. Our own Michael Essien is a product of the Ligue 1, Didier Drogba, Patrice Evra, Abidal, Malouda, Adebayor and Mohamadou Diarra just to mention a few all got their basics in football there.

Eric Addo, for me is like the John O’shea for Man. United and the Gerard Pique for Barcelona, in simply football terms we say he is an unsung hero. Addo might also be playing in the Dutch Eredivise but he has a lot of experience which flows like a stream in the back four of the Black Stars team. Forget about those who say he is aging and not fast but Eric Addo is a fine utility player that every club or team on this planet needs. Call him when you are messed up with a replacement and he will do the job for you. For those who have the technical eye, Eric is the organiser of the back line whiles John Mensah is the cleaner. Roy Hodgson, the Fulham boss describes him as the cool levelled defender. John Painstil have shown to many what consistency is all about. Indeed the last I didn’t see him play for Ghana was last Saturday where he had to sit out of the game because of accumulation of Yellow cards he had received in the ongoing World cup qualifying series. Paintsil’s confidence level is what he brings on board when he features for Ghana. His ability to surge forward adds a bit to the attacking prowess of the Black Stars. Painstil has for me come one- one with some of the World’s finest. He passed in his battle with Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres during last season premier league games with Man. United and Liverpool respectively. For many Painstil is part of the shift that Ghana experienced before qualifying for its maiden World Cup. In simple terms John Painstil is the Confidence boaster of the Black Stars back four.

A testimony to Local football, this is how I chose to label Harrison Afful. He is such a delight to watch. Harrison depicts a true Ghanaian talent. He urge to move forward to help the attack cannot be overlooked. One might be deceived by his stature but Kotoko’s Harrison Afful has justified his inclusion to the Star’s team. He is a fine player who is still learning to be a complete a football. For many Afful’s selection to the withdrawl of Hans Adu Sarpei is still debatable but for those who watched the Hearts- Kotoko game and the Ghana-Sudan game should start giving the boy some credit.

The first round of this phase of the qualifiers is over and resumption is on the 9th of September, I hope our back four will remain Virgin( not conceding goals) and hope Ghana qualifiers for its second World Cup in succession.

South Africa 2010............................Ghana in Group D already of the groups that will play in the World Cup.