By Michael Yereku

Dede has heart, determination and drive to succeed and a future Ghana star like his dad, but now he is not a Black Star material. In my opinion, Dede lacks speed to outrun defenders, his passing is suspect, does not have a good shot, and dribbles too much without a good outcome. In short, he slows down play and is not a team player. Some will say he scored against Burkina Faso in AFCON 2010, but that goal was pure luck. He stood there and the ball came to him. Now I understand why he is not a first team player for his parent club, Olympic Marseille. He gives the ball away too many times and allows the opposition to put too much pressure on our defense. Not to digress, sometimes, Sulley Muntari and Derek Boateng also give the ball away frequently. For example, during World Cup 2006 against Italy, Sulley’s mistake started Samuel Osei Kuffour’s give away goal to the Italians. Also, Derek Boateng was responsible given the ball away to DeMarcus Beasley to cross for Clint Dempsey to score for the U.S.A. Our midfield should watch out for these freebies. Hopefully Anthony Annan will be there to clean the mess. Back to Dede, I do not know why the coach keeps playing him the entire 90 minutes. He deserves credit for his hustle and perhaps the coach likes his defensive play. If Milo likes Dede’s play a lot, I believe that the coach can utilize him best towards the end of the game when we are up so he can hold on to the ball and waste time with his aimless dribbling. I hope they do not select him for the World Cup. He has a lot of maturity to do and when it comes to the offensive side of the game, Dede is currently a liability to the team. Dede’s dad, the maestro and legendary Abede Pele served Ghana well and I believe his sons will do the same in due time. Dede showed that promise by helping Ghana win the Youth World Cup 2009. However, it is obvious that someone is shoving Abedi Pele’s sons down our throat and into the Black Stars set-up. I know a lot of players in the Ghana league who are better than both Dede Ayew and Ibrahim Ayew, but are not given the chance. Again, I like Dede Ayew’s desire; however, his football skills are at a very elementary level. Playing him as a winger elucidates most of his liabilities and limitations. These are lack of passing ability, limited speed to outrun opponents, deficient crossing skills, poor shooting, aimless dribbling and giving the ball to opponents. His dad and his coaches need to spend a lot of time with him to rectify his limitations to improve his game so that he can try out for the Ghana Olympic team next time. Otherwise, no team in the top division of European football will feature Dede the entire season. I simply do not see it. Dede has had a lot of chances: he played in AFCAN 2008 and 2010 and I am still not sold on his abilities. We have to realize that Dede Ayew was preferred over Kwadwo Asamoah during AFCON 2008 held in Ghana. Afterwards, when Kwadwo Asamoah was given limited time, we all have seen what he is capable of doing. Dominic Adiyiah deserves a chance, Dede Ayew has had plenty of chances. Perhaps Dede’s best position should be the offensive midfield position he played during the 2009 AYC and 2009 WYC. However, there is no way he is going to displace Kwadjo Asamoah and Stephen Appiah for that position in the Black Stars. The attacking midfield position hides his deficiencies better. However, he is not a visionary passer of the ball to feed our strikers. For instance, I do not think Dede is capable of giving the pass Kwadjo Asamoah gave to Asamoah Gyan to score against Angola. Somebody is trying very hard to push Abedi’s sons on the Black Stars. Let’s groom Dede for the Olympic team. I still do not understand why Ibrahim Ayew made the team over Eric Bekoe and why both Dede and Ibrahim started our first match against Ivory Coast in Angola. Is Ibrahim a defensive or an offensive player? Let him establish himself at Zamalek, F.C. in Egypt first before making him a Black Star. Let’s select players based on meritocracy and not nepotism and favoritism. Let’s these players establish themselves at the top level before rushing them into the Black Stars. I know that once Dede and Ibrahim establish themselves at the top level, they will do great things for Ghana like the famous father. For now, the Black Star level cannot be used as a training ground. I am a fervent fan of the Stars to see that. Dede Ayew is young and he will have plenty of time to develop his game and be a permanent player for the Ghana Black Stars in the future. For now, he is good, but not a Black Star material. Lastly, we the fans of Ghana Black Stars wish the Stars the best of luck and success in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010. Bring home the Gold sons of the Gold Coast. Coach Milo, we want the World Cup in Ghana comes July 12, 2010; we can’t go to battle with wounded old soldiers. We need fully fit and in form players to make Ghana proud. We are fully behind you and the boys!!!

My wishful starting line-up against Serbia: Richard Kingston, John Panstil, Han Sapei, Isaac Vorsar, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Quincy Owusu Abayie, Kevin Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Kwadjo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari.

Disclaimer: This is an opinion. Those whose comments are limited to insults need not comment and keep the insults to themselves. Only constructive and reasonable comments are encouraged.

"Michael Yereku"