Black Stars of Ghana face Sudan in Group F of the AFCON qualifiers on Thursday, October 10 at the Accra Sports Stadium before a trip to Libya for the return fixture on Tuesday, October 15. This will be the first outing of the Ghana men’s senior national team in 3 years at the stadium.
Ghana has lost one and drawn the other in two of the games played so far and will look to change things as the quest to qualify for Morocco is still intact.
Ahead of the Sudan game, there are significant things that need to change by the Head Coach Otto Addo if Ghana will ever have a chance at qualifying to the continent’s biggest tournament
1. The leftback situation
In recent times, Ghana has struggled to have a naturally gifted leftback to man that position, the last two games has seen Alidu Seidu deputize at that position in the absence of Baba Rahman and Gideon Mensah. Ebenezer Annan was brought in to fill that gap but the youngster didn’t get the opportunity to show what he can offer the team. The inclusion of Isaac Afful and the return of Gideon Mensah means that Otto Addo will have an orthodox leftback play that position to add a bit of spice when attacking from that angle.
2. The midfield combination
Ghana has been blessed with top and dynamic midfield partnership over years but currently it seems the national team lacks that engine. Thomas Partey looks to be a constant in that midfield but who to pair with him to produce the class of performance is what is missing. In the absence of Abdul Salis Samed, Elisha Owusu and Majeed Ashimeru have all had the opportunity to partner with him yet haven’t looked like the issue is solved. Otto Addo needs to find that balance in that midfield since it’s an area Ghana have much control of.
3. The inconsistent attack
Loads of players has led Ghana’s attack in recent times and have chalked loads of success. Asamoah Gyan, Mathew Amoah, Junior Agogo(late), Prince Tagoe etc are notable names in recent years who have made names leading Ghana’s attack but it is not clear how in recent times Ghana are struggling with that position. Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and Inaki Williams are household names in the European games but are short of firepower whenever they put on the Ghana jersey.
Otto Addo needs to try to find the best strike partnership to make sure the team is able to bang in goals when chances are created.
In all these, the three points is the most important thing since anything short of a win will mean Ghana will have to dig deep and rely on a setback from other clubs before they can get into the qualification conversation.
By Solomon Amankwah
The writer is a sports presenter with Onua Sports.
