The BlackStars of Ghana strolled to success against the Central African Republic in Morocco on Wednesday afternoon.
The team knew the weight of expectations lying on their shoulders and went ahead to deliver a five-star performance, coupled with goals to celebrate their resounding victory over their host, C.A.R
After watching the team play, it reverberated a source of joy, prompting me to pen down a few pointers I want to share with you.
BLACK STARS LINEUP
A quick peek at the 25-man squad list gave me a sense of assuredness that the team was blessed with talent and potential, so when coach Otto Addo put out the lineup, i was excited to watch the team play. A revisit of the famous 4-2-3-1 formation gave the team that balance in several phases of the game, be it defense, midfield combo of Kwesi Sibo who looks to have sealed a place in the team alongside experienced head Thomas Partey. The attacking trio of Semenyo (25), Kudus(25), Fatawu (21), with veteran forward and captain Jordan Ayew leading the lines so saw that attacking dexterity in transition off and on the ball. The boys really put in the shift for the win.
SET-PIECES
Following the team’s shocking failure to qualify for the AFCON 2025, and the team’s first absence in 20 years, a host of inclusions were made to beef up the technical team of the Black Stars. That move saw the appointment of Gregory De Grauwe(Chief Video Analyst), whose immense contribution to the team has not gone unnoticed. In the Chad game, Salisu opened his Black Stars account in that 5-0 win through a corner set piece. The Madagascar game saw Thomas Partey score two headers, Djiku’s header against Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium. Another to remind you of is the 5-0 mauling of CAR in Meknes, Morocco, the team profited from two set pieces, of which the two central defenders, Mohammed Salisu and Alex Djiku, were on the end of it. Hopefully, the team continues to make full use of its newfound love for set pieces.
JORDAN AYEW.
Today, I want to talk about Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew. Yes. I know he is such a character that divides opinions in several football minds. I have my opinion about him, and i know you also do. Since making his debut in May 2010, some 15 years ago, he has gone on to play 115 caps with 32 goals for the team. So when Otto Addo named Kudus as captain in October 2024, and later reversed his decision by naming Jordan as captain in November 2024, it gave the veteran forward a lot to shoulder, especially given the circumstances where he was overlooked initially for the team’s poster boy, but he has done well to excel in leading the team on and off the pitch. His numbers in the World Cup qualifiers are startling: 14G/A in 9 games, he’s tied on 7 goals with Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and one shy off Gabon’s Denis Bouanga (8).
LEADERSHIP
In previous years, the issue of leadership has been a real canker eating into the very fiber of the BlackStars. The captaincy issue has had its toll on the team burrowing several divisions, facets, and groups arising from it. The consequences has been there for all to see, from subpar lethargic performance to over pampered boys who have achieved nothing playing in national colors and a host more. The hierarchy needs to be praised for how they have been able to unify the team with the active inclusiveness of former Black Stars players such as Stephen Appiah, Asamoah Gyan, and others who have somewhat brought positive tidings to the team’s quest to seal its fifth qualification at the 2026 FIFA World Cup slated for the USA/Mexico and Canada.
OTTO ADDO – DON’T OVERTHINK IT
A large chunk of Black Stars matches often give Ghanaian fans a lot to ponder on right from the blast of the whistle to its end. The edginess, anxiety, pain, misery, and the high blood pressures associated with matches of the team often seldom many from watching the team, but with the appointment of German-trained Otto Addo for a second time running many anticipated exciting, attacking, and expansive football but he settled for a more careful approach.
It was the least surprising when he opened up about overthinking in games. That bit of overthinking was associated with the formative years of ManCity manager Pep Guardiola, touted as an overthinker in the simplest of normal situations. Maybe Otto takes cues from Pep.
Interestingly, in the one game, Otto decides not to overthink it but play the right personnel for a more suitable 4-2-3-1 formation, the boys run riot. They thrash the Central African Republic, sounding a huge warning to the football world that the sleeping Black Stars have finally risen from their long slumber.
I have noticed a thing or two about the current crop of the Black Stars, they might not be household names like the Stephen Appiah’s, Michael Essien’s, Asamoah Gyan’s, but it’s clear they love and execute challenges perfectly.
The Black Stars will cover themselves in glory when they play Comoros in the final of group I game at the Accra Sports Stadium at 19:00 GMT
