AFCON 2013: The deficits in the Black Stars squad

Ghana since 1982 has witnessed a gutless performance from the Black Stars despite stringent measures which are often laid down by its handlers before any tournament.
Before every competition, the illusion is given that the Black Stars are possible title contenders, but the team suddenly ends up disappointing the whole nation, as well as its admirers around the world.  

And as we approach the Africa Cup of nations next January, the story line still remains unchanged, as lots of connoisseurs have started predicting that the team has the wherewithal to return from South Africa with gold, visibly relegating the myriad of challenges confronting the team to the background.    

   It will be a ridiculous assumption for anybody to think that the team’s past glory will automatically translate into wining the enviable trophy. Clearly there are no minors in the game and accept the fact that there are some loopholes in the set-up which are crying for urgent attention.

After South Africa 2010, the team has stop playing the fast flowing football. The formation and the set up of the team keep changing, thereby limiting its ability to compete at the highest level.

In attempting to right the wrongs and making the team to be real contenders and not pretenders, it is proper to question Coach Kwesi Appiah on why certain decisions were made.

It is absolutely justified for Ghanaians to demand explanation from Coach Kwesi Appiah and his associates why Adam Kwarasey continue to be his first choice in poles when he has consistently proven that he is not capable for that challenge.

Without any ill-motive, the Stromsgodset goalie has been sloppy in most of the games he has been handed the task to man the poles. Kwarasey’s lethargic and lackluster showing adversely affected the fortunes of the team in the last tourney.

The immediate blunder of the Norwegian born which readily comes to mind is the equalizing goal of Guinea during our group games in the Gabon and Equatorial Guinea tournament.

He was caught ball watching on countless occasions in that tournament and clearly failed to marshal his defense to prevent opponents from scoring.

The nomination of Kwarasey by Coach Appiah as first on the keepers list is simply unacceptable. This move could spell doom for us in January, sorry but that is the reality.  

With the unsuccessful attempts by the technical handlers to identify agile players to arrest our lateral defensive challenges and some goal poachers to aid Skipper Asamoah Gyan on the upfront to bang in the goals, it appears the team has to solely rely on the midfield to make things happen.
This is a complete shaggy dog story, in my candid opinion!

Aside from the midfield, another department we can be proud of is the central defense where the likes of John Boye, Isaac Vorsah, Awal Mohammed and others can be mentioned.      

Ghana released its squad for the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa a few days ago: Goalkeepers, Adam Kwarasey, Fatal Dawuda and Daniel Adjei. Clearly winning a fifth African glory will continue to be a mirage if the right structures are not put in place.

Defenders: Isaac Vorsah, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, John Painstil, Harrison Afful, Richard Kissi Boateng, Awal Mohammed, Rashid Sumaila and Jerry Akaminko.

Midfielders:  Albert Adomah, Kwadjo Asamoah, Christian Atsu, Andre Ayew, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, Derrick Boateng, Mubarack Wakaso, Solomon Asante,
Rabiu Mohammed
Anthony Annan

Strikers: Richmond Boakye Yiadom, Yaya Mohammed, Asamoah Gyan
Emmanuel Clottey.

The Black Stars of Ghana have been drawn in Group B for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Mali, Niger and DR Congo.
To be continued