Nations Cup Qualifier: Ghana 0-0 Sudan – a Wake up call?

There were those who believed that the Nations Cup qualifier between Ghana and Sudan on Sunday 10th October, 2010 was a foregone conclusion. The Black Stars were going to make mincemeat of Sudan. These beliefs became mere wishful thinking as the game turned out to be a bore draw which the Sudanese will be happy to take.

Coach Kwasi Appiah went into the game with the 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping that Gyan would lead Andre and Jordan Ayew in attack with support from Kwadwo Asamoah. The 4-2-3-1 deep tactic is Ghana’s preferred formation and many had hoped for at least a win this that tactic. But Ghana’s midfield and attacking machinery simply refused to work. A lot of the players did not have the sense of urgency on a day when the Sudanese team had a perfect antidote for Ghana’s attack.

Gyan’s shooting was just terrible. The least he could have done was to set up the wide forwards, but how could he when he displayed such poor first touch? Jordan Ayew’s inexperience and inclination to play to the gallery weakened Ghana’s attack further. Kwadwo Asamoah’s tendency to hold on to the ball too long destroyed team cohesion and ball supply to the other three forwards wasn’t enough. Bernard Yao-Kumordzi continued to show his predisposition to choking anytime he is given the big national team role. He made a complete mess of the deep-lying playmaker role. Enter Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu with his bird-killing shots. It was just not a good day for Ghana.

Team Ghana: A lay man’s expectations

What can we expect from the Black Stars at South Africa?

[1] Daniel Adjei: I hope Ghana does not have to rely on him. If we do, I wish him well. Expect him to warm the bench. But, if he plays, he will be average at best (5/10).

[2] Hans Adu Sarpei: May not be good in joining attack, but one can expect him to manage his role maturely. As this may be the last major tournament of the 34 year old defender, expect a good performance (6/10)

[3] Asamoah Gyan: The legend has it that in time past, even when Gyan had an empty post to himself, his colleagues will scream on him to pass the ball before he got another howler. But that was in the past. From his Ghana performance this year, one can expect a very good tournament (8/10).

[4] John Paintsil: Reliable lateral defender who will give Ghana a good tournament in addition to wonderful goal celebration dances (7/10).

[5] John Mensah: If ‘The Glass of Gibraltar’ is not breaking down or goofing with offside traps, one can expect a good tournament. He is going to make many crucial and stress-relieving tackles (7/10).

[6] Anthony Annan: The only constant in the team. At South Africa, people can expect a spirited performance. If he doesn’t go poking people’s eyes, Annan will have a very good tournament (7/10).

[7] Samuel Inkoom: Beaming with energy and enthusiasm. He will fly on the wings with superior crosses. Hopefully, he has worked on his positioning. Should he get some playing time, I am looking forward to a very good tournament from the 20-year old. Inkoom is a potential tournament revelation (8/10).

[8] Jonathan Mensah: This lad has got more football in him than he displays. When the chance comes, I hope he takes it with an above average tournament (5/10)

Angola 2010: Sparrow Hawks of Togo will go down

Some have said that Angola 2010 is a disaster waiting to happen for Ghana’s Black Stars. I would not begrudge anyone who holds this opinion given the realities on the ground. Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Derek Boateng, John Mensah and Laryea Kington are all out of the squad for one reason or the other. Injuries have threatened the performance of Michael Essien and Anthony Annan. Again, in all honesty, I am not sure of the added value of some of the players when there are better in-form and proven players available. The situation looks pretty scary and the alarmists are already having a field day.

When does losing make people feel good?

Black Stars lined up for a game (courtesy GFA.ORG)

I have been hearing some amazing justifications why it feels good for Ghana’s Black Stars to lose to Les Écureuils (The Squirrels) of Benin since Ghana’s 0-1 loss to Benin on Sunday October 11, 2009 at de l’Amité, Cotonou in the World Cup 2010 qualifier. Why would anyone feel good when his team loses a game? If I did not know the Ghanaian mindset better, I would have been surprised to read or hear such comments. Losing is bad. Period!

 Unless one is putting up a defensive attitude to offset the demoralizing effect of a loss or one is trying to make a point with the loss, losing cannot feel good. Besides the sense of accomplishment one feels after winning anything, a scientific connection has been drawn between  winning any sport game and the production of neurotransmitters (endorphins) that diminish feelings of pain. Endorphins are believed to block pain from reaching the brain. It is therefore a beautiful lie when people claim it is good that Ghana (on a 100% run this year) has lost to lowly Benin.