In the lead-up to the World Cup, the BlackStars of Ghana are involved in as series of friendly games to fine-tune their preparation for the upcoming tournament.
This meant that they would have Austria and Germany to play within a space of three days in the last week of March, 2026.
The BlackStars took on Austria, but it went from bad to worse as they were battered beyond trace and recognition, a result that has raised mixed feelings in Ghana and beyond.
I took my time to pen down these few words upon sober reflection after the game.
READ MORE : “We want to win every match” – Otto Addo ahead of Austria clash
Team Structure.
Football has evolved on so many levels, and most times when teams play, there are a lot of things one should look out for; team structure is part of it. I watched the team play, and there was no structure to how they played, which gave me a lot to think on as to what Otto’s plan was in-game and out of game. Prince Kwabena Adu earning his first start was decent in his showing and for the many times I saw him play there was no support from his Jordan Ayew, I can count about three instances where he was outmuscled or didn’t have options to pass to either to his left or to his right which saw the team consistently lose its attacking threat to the opposition defense, a big source of worry.
Team Structure.
Football has evolved on so many levels, and most times when teams play, there are a lot of things one should look out for; team structure is part of it. I watched the team play, and there was no structure to how they played, which gave me a lot to think on as to what Otto’s plan was in-game and out of game. Prince Kwabena Adu earning his first start was decent in his showing and for the many times I saw him play there was no support from his Jordan Ayew, I can count about three instances where he was outmuscled or didn’t have options to pass to either to his left or to his right which saw the team consistently lose its attacking threat to the opposition defense, a big source of worry.
READ MORE : Int’l Friendy : Austria vs.Ghana
Lack of tactical organization and game plan
When you watched the way the team was pummeled, it was as though the boys had just been asked to go and honor the friendly game and come back. The team appeared toothless in attack, the midfield was totally nonexistent, and the defense was a total chaos with several costly mistakes which should not have even happened. Ralf Ragnick’s looked well coached as they pressed with high intensity, moved the ball quickly (rarely holding it more than a few seconds), and exploited the space left unattended by the Ghanaian team. A clear lack of coaching decisions and the absence of a clear tactical framework. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Lack of tactical organization and game plan
When you watched the way the team was pummeled, it was as though the boys had just been asked to go and honor the friendly game and come back. The team appeared toothless in attack, the midfield was totally nonexistent, and the defense was a total chaos with several costly mistakes which should not have even happened. Ralf Ragnick’s looked well coached as they pressed with high intensity, moved the ball quickly (rarely holding it more than a few seconds), and exploited the space left unattended by the Ghanaian team. A clear lack of coaching decisions and the absence of a clear tactical framework. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
READ MORE : Black Princesses open camp for crucial U-20 World Cup Qualifier against Uganda
Lean Midfield.
When the Blackstars squad was dropped, I quickered because a quick scan through the list was a squad with a spineless midfield led by Thomas Partey. This brought to mind a host of questions rather than answers. I asked if, apart from Partey, we didn’t have anyone similar to Partey’s profile or if we couldn’t get guys of similar attributes like Lawrence Agyekum, Forson Amankwah, or Majeed Ashimeru to deputize for Partey, who is honestly not in a good place now, despite his qualities. Partey played past the half-hour mark, and it felt like a pale shadow of himself. His partner Sibo, uncomfortable with the ball to feet, was at times asked to progress the ball or sit deep between the defenders, which was clearly not going to work and I wonder if Otto will still go ahead with these technical instructions against a better side in Germany. Time will tell.
Lean Midfield.
When the Blackstars squad was dropped, I quickered because a quick scan through the list was a squad with a spineless midfield led by Thomas Partey. This brought to mind a host of questions rather than answers. I asked if, apart from Partey, we didn’t have anyone similar to Partey’s profile or if we couldn’t get guys of similar attributes like Lawrence Agyekum, Forson Amankwah, or Majeed Ashimeru to deputize for Partey, who is honestly not in a good place now, despite his qualities. Partey played past the half-hour mark, and it felt like a pale shadow of himself. His partner Sibo, uncomfortable with the ball to feet, was at times asked to progress the ball or sit deep between the defenders, which was clearly not going to work and I wonder if Otto will still go ahead with these technical instructions against a better side in Germany. Time will tell.
Caleb Yirenkyi.
This boy needs no introduction when it comes to the Blackstars. He has shown he has the technical abilities to play in the team and, even more structurally, a superior fit in midfield alongside the aging Thomas Partey. Otto remarked in his post-match interview why he continues to play him at right back, and it just doesn’t make sense, why then did you(Otto and GFA) convince Marvin Senaya to play for you(Ghana) ahead of France and Togo if he would be benched, make it make sense.
This boy needs no introduction when it comes to the Blackstars. He has shown he has the technical abilities to play in the team and, even more structurally, a superior fit in midfield alongside the aging Thomas Partey. Otto remarked in his post-match interview why he continues to play him at right back, and it just doesn’t make sense, why then did you(Otto and GFA) convince Marvin Senaya to play for you(Ghana) ahead of France and Togo if he would be benched, make it make sense.
READ MORE : Match Report : Austria thrash Ghana in Vienna
Semenyo Antoine.
Every team needs one or two high-profile players to thrive, and with Ghana, we are not short of talent in this day and age. I can’t recall how many players move from one club to another in the same season, and their transition is seamless, like Antoine Semenyo, having moved from Bouremouth and now playing at Pep’s ManCity and still racking the numbers, it’s great if you have this lad coming from your country and playing for your senior team and national team. If there’s one thing that hasn’t worked for Selorm, it’s the difficulty in translating club form to the national side. Otto needs to build the team to his strength to get the best out of him; you can’t have a player at the peak of his career’s talent go to waste as a result of a coach’s glaring inefficiency. Fix it, Otto.
Semenyo Antoine.
Every team needs one or two high-profile players to thrive, and with Ghana, we are not short of talent in this day and age. I can’t recall how many players move from one club to another in the same season, and their transition is seamless, like Antoine Semenyo, having moved from Bouremouth and now playing at Pep’s ManCity and still racking the numbers, it’s great if you have this lad coming from your country and playing for your senior team and national team. If there’s one thing that hasn’t worked for Selorm, it’s the difficulty in translating club form to the national side. Otto needs to build the team to his strength to get the best out of him; you can’t have a player at the peak of his career’s talent go to waste as a result of a coach’s glaring inefficiency. Fix it, Otto.
If you get injured and instead of getting to the root you are bandaging it, the results will be evident for all to see.
