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Five things we learned from Ghana vs Austria
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.
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 side 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.
Lean Midfield.
When the Blackstars squad was dropped, 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.
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.
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.
Ghana’s Sports Minister Kofi Adams has insisted there is no basis for his removal over the ongoing World Cup visa controversy, stressing that no public funds were lost in the matter.
READ MORE : “Its really tough” – Coach Björkegren
Kofi Adams was reacting growing concerns following of VISA issues that have been hanging over the past few weeks in local media.
He stated: “There’s no justification to dismiss me over the World Cup visa scandal, because no government money has been lost.”
The minister’s remarks come amid growing public and political pressure following questions surrounding visa arrangements linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Adams maintained that the absence of any financial loss to the state removes grounds for his dismissal.
READ MORE: Black Queens thrash Mauritius 7-0 in Olympic Qualifiers
In a related development, NSA boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah was asked to step aside from his role earlier this month by President John Mahama.
Black Queens head coach Lars Kim Björkegren has described the path to qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games as “really tough” but says he “believes in the girls” to get the job done.
The Queens strolled past Mauritius 10-0 to progress to the next phase and now will face Zambia in the third round, scheduled for 23 February to 6 March 2027.
“We have the potential to go all the way,” Björkegren said.
“In football, there is no easy game, especially when it comes to qualifying for the Olympics, as only two countries from Africa will go to Los Angeles.
“It is really tough to get there; we need to win. I believe in the girls, and I think we [will] be there.”
The Black Queens have never qualified for the Olympic Games in the country’s history.
Just two slots are available for African teams.
Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has voiced concern over the state of football facilities in Ghana, saying inadequate infrastructure is damaging the game’s attractiveness.
The local league’s appeal over the years has dwindled with many calling for immediate action to be taken to salvage the situation.
Speaking to Kumasi based radio station, Ahenfie FM, he expunge on the poor infrastructure in the country which has reduced the appeal of the Ghana Premier League and football in general.
“The poor infrastructure is making our football less attractive.” he ended
His comments highlight ongoing challenges facing the development of football in the country, from grassroots level to the professional game
The 35-year-old, who earned 78 caps and scored 11 goals for the Black Stars between 2008 and 2017, began his career with local sides Berlin FC and Berekum Arsenal before a loan spell at Asante Kotoko.
He later returned to the Ghana Premier League with Accra Great Olympics in 2022–23 after a long career in Europe.
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