Sports News of Monday, 2 September 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Gideon Mensah and Baba Rahman’s absence shouldn't be a problem for Black Stars - Charles Taylor

Baba Rahman (left) and Gideon Mensah (right) Baba Rahman (left) and Gideon Mensah (right)

Former Black Stars forward, Charles Taylor, has opined that not having his first two options for left-backs should not be a problem for Black Stars coach, Otto Add.

The former Hearts of Oak player believes that modern coaches have normalized using right-footed players as left-backs; hence, the gaffer should adapt.

He asserted that Ghanaian coaches' failure to incorporate new ideas into their style is the reason for the sub-par performances.

"This is one of the things that affects our teams. No good coach finds it compulsory to use a left-footed player as a left-back," he said on Angel TV.

He cited Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, as an example, mentioning the Spaniard's choice of playing right-footed players like Manuel Akanji and Joao Cancelo as left-backs.

"Look at Pep. Sometimes, he uses Akanji as a left-back and Cancelo as well. Why is it compulsory to play a left-footed player as a left-back?"

Otto Addo named his 23-man squad, comprising 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 7 forwards, on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

Among the 8 defenders in the squad, Ebenezer Annan is the only core left-back, while Jerome Opoku is an option due to his versatility and being left-footed.


EE/Ek