Ghana tops Group F of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after beating Guinea Bissau 2-0 on Tuesday amid some average performances.
The captain of the side, Andre Ayew claimed that their pre-tournament camping was one of the best in his almost decade stay with the national team. Meanwhile, Coach Kwesi Appiah said there’s team unity in the camp, after people suspected that the captaincy issue may destabilize the team’s focus and unity.
Legitimate questions have been raised about the tactical acumen of the Black Stars gaffer, his squad selection, team selection for matches and reading of the game especially with tactics being a major deciding factor in the modern game, but he is gradually correcting his wrongs.
In Ghana’s second game against a compact and highly structured Cameroon side, who defended in two blocks with a lot of players in midfield and defense, Appiah started Baba Rahman in place of Lumor Agbenyenu – who has played since the qualifiers and the first game – to give the side more width, so as to stretch play.
Baba swung in incredible crosses which could have resulted in goals had the balls been connected well and, it turned out to be Ghana’s best game so far.
Again, against Guinea Bissau, Appiah made wonderful tactical substitutions and game changes by introducing Afriyie Acquah for Kwabena Owusu to partner Wakaso to solidify the midfield, with Partey playing in a more advanced role, which resulted in his goal.
Ayew withdrew to the left side of attack with Rahman giving the Stars the width which aided the left-back to combine with his captain to set-up Partey’s goal.
But what is the missing factor that can propel the 1982 African Champions to the trophy after topping Group F, although with not so impressive performances?
Simple: determination and dedication.
The quality of players of the Black Stars is undisputed on paper, especially when compared to other African nations in the ongoing tournament and other recent winners of the competition.
The captain, Ayew has been a mere passenger in executing an important role on the field in most parts of Ghana’s games, despite scoring in the first game and brilliantly contributing to Partey’s goal against Guinea Bissau.
Thomas Partey, our star and most consistent player coming into the tournament and in the last two years, has performed below expectation and has failed to show any signs of him been hungrier for success.
Partey‘s best position for the Stars has come under serious scrutiny with Appiah playing him in central midfield after excelling in a more advanced role for the side in the qualifiers and the match against Guinea Bissau.
Christian Atsu, 2015 AFCON Player of the tournament has been a pale shadow of himself – he has failed to showcase the rib-breaking pace and skills with decisive final half passes – with poor runs and delivery, and is out injured.
The diffident posture of the Black Stars’ output on the pitch is nauseating and unimaginable. They lack urgency and ambition in their play as if nothing is at stake. Even after topping the Group, questions still linger over the performance of the Black Stars.
Jordan Ayew, Samuel Owusu, Kwabena Owusu, Kassim Adams and Mubarak Wakaso – the zeal, dedication and determination they have shown when they’re in the game – embody and confirm the lacking ingredients found in the majority of the Black Stars players’ play and demeanor on the field.
In recent AFCON tournament triumphs, intrinsic motivation and determination have been the key ingredient in deciding the winners and losers.
In 2012, Zambia defied all odds with mostly unknown, average players such as Christopher Katongo, Kalaba, Emmanuel Mayuka et al. But with zeal and passion, together with former hungrier Ghanaian national team physical trainer, Harve Renard, they beat all the favorites like Gyan’s Ghana, Mikel’s Nigeria, and ultimately, Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast in the finals to win the coveted trophy.
Recently, after going into the tournament without seven of their main players and amid administration crisis like Ghana, Hugo Broos’ Cameroon shook the foundations of African football by beating the Pharaohs of Egypt to win the trophy which had eluded the Indomitable Lions for a decade and half, by riding on determination and unity.
At this year’s AFCON, with Morocco leading the Ivory Coast, they showed how determined they are even when they are ahead and their late never-say-die spirit was also evident during their late victory over South Africa.
Connoisseurs and fanatics of the game have begun to include them in their AFCON favorites because of the enthusiasm and spirit they’ve showcased in their matches.
Madagascar won against the super Eagles not because they are above Nigeria in terms of quality, but it was obvious the Malagasy have a mission and it’s driven on passion and dedication aside quality and tactics.
If squad in-depth and preparations were the only requirements for AFCON success, Ghana would have won at least three of the last six tournaments.
The four-time AFCON champions must show that they are hungrier for the trophy which they won on their first attempt in 1963, and have reach the semifinals on six consecutive times since 2008, by showing determination, dedication and passion for success against Tunisia.
This can be done by not only winning, but also making sure their demeanor and performance is incredible in order to resurrect Ghanaians hope of winning the coveted AFCON trophy they’ve craved most.
By: Abdul Razak Salim
