Toulon Tournament - Promising Star Bradley Odoi left out?

In 1993 The Black Satellites made us so proud when they reached the final of the world U20 championship in Australia. Only IF the referee stopped play for a blatant foul on Gargo Mohammed the outcome may have been different. History now has it that Brazil beat Ghana 2-1 in the final. Maybe, just maybe it could have been different.

Since that achievement, Ghana has managed to reach the semi-final in Malaysia 1997, the quarter final in Nigeria 1999 and the final again in the 2001 championship in Argentina. Ghana failed to make it in 1995, 2003 and 2005.

6 years on since Argentina, the onus fell on Oti Akenteng and the Satellites of today to qualify for the 2007 championship in Canada.

In the last qualifier to make it to the youth Championship in Congo, Ghana met the young Burkinabe’s and lost 0-1 in the first leg played in Ouagadougou. After the post mortems of the first leg it was evident that a striker was badly needed. Bradley Hudson (son of Bismark Odoi- the former Hearts of Oak ’77 member) answered the National call of duty. Bradley, who is a Fulham FC youth product was hurriedly rushed at the very last minute to join the Satellite squad for the return leg in Sunyani.

Typical of Ghanaian FA approach, faxes and other documents for the attention of Fulham arrived so late in the day that Bradley could only make it to Ghana at the very last minute. He arrived in Ghana only 2 days before the game. He was subsequently hurried to Sunyani to join the squad. Obviously by this time Oti had made his final selection and only saw a glimpse of Bradley in a light training session a day before the game. That brief showing was enough to assure Oti to include Bradley in the squad BUT to start on the Bench.

The game was bound to be a test of nerves for our young hearts and it was clear that the Burkinabes were going to defend for their lives. During the match the Satellites did not really ruffle their opponents who defended comfortably. Yes, the striker problem was there for all to see.

The scores remained 0-0 with only 14 minutes to play and that was when the promising star was let loose! In a few minutes the Burkinabes were all at sea and were being bombarded into submission. Bradley had transformed the team and with 6 minutes left he rounded a few defenders and set up Ghana’s goal. He was clearly the toast of the fans! The deadlock had been broken! There was however limited time left and Ghana could not add to the scores until full time. The Satellites went on to lose in the Penalty shoot-out. The disappointment of the fans at the final whistle was clear for all to see. Insults were hurled at Oti for failing to qualify but more so for not starting Bradley!! The backlash led to his dismissal.

Oti was later quoted as saying that his dismissal was the consequence of him not starting Bradley which in effect led to our exit from the qualifier. Everyone was convinced that had Bradley started the match, Ghana would have won by a wide margin.

In Oti’s defense it was the FA that had to take the blame for their incompetence in dealing with the swift release of the young lad. Oti in my opinion was made a scapegoat for the shocking nature in which we failed to qualify.

Ghanaians have always held their youth teams dearest to their hearts so much more than the Black stars. We remember the likes of Odartey, Dan Addo, Gargo, Duah, Banini, Preko and co in the 90’s and the likes of Appiah, Essien, Muntari and Mensah during the early 2000’s. Those who witnessed the Sunyani debacle will testify that in spite of the poor result a new star had been born and was ready to shine. Fans and the Media besieged Bradley after the Sunyani game and the FA promised to include him in the squad for the Toulon tournament which starts soon in France.

It is rather atrocious to hear reports that the FA have gone back on their word and have not included Bradley in the squad for France! I believe that the lad is distraught but has not as yet made any comment regards the situation.

Something is clearly wrong here! The excuse the Ghana FA gave was that they had decided to use local boys instead. Fine! The question therefore is that why the promise? Why the sudden change of plan?

Something sucks!!

Inspiration: It has taken me all my life to understand it is not necessary to understand everything. - Rene Coty

But Remember: If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. - Steve Bartkowski

I rest my case and hope that someone will be honest enough to let us know the truth!

Feedback to salim.dekowski1@btinternet.com