By Rahman Osman
Follow on twitter @iamrahmanosman
After the dust has settled on another disappointing performance from the Black Stars, let’s look at what the game taught us.
THE BEST WAY TO DEFEND IS TO ATTACK.
Unlike the usual 3-5-2 formation that was deployed and served Holland very well at the world cup where wing backs press forward, our wingbacks were stationed at the back with few forward movement, making the team too defensive ….more like 5-3-2 instead, Grant for all his experience would realize that no formation is either right or wrong but the ability of the team to understand and play to the requirement is paramount. From the game yesterday the understanding of the 3-5-2 is still far fetched.
CAMPING IN SPAIN HAD A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE TEAM.
Coming in to the game it was clear that the better prepared team was Senegal, when Ghana was playing against second tier sides in Portugal, Senegal tested their mettle against better oppositions in Gabon and Guinea no wonder Rabiu Mohammed and Agyemang Badu could only survive for 30 minutes after that, Shieke Kouyate took over the heart of the game, the midfield and the rest was history.
Africa football has a physical edge in it and it was always going to expose us at a certain point.
GRANT GOT ALL HIS SUBSTITUTIONS ALL WRONG.
Jordan Ayew kept in one of his most industrious game for the Stars and was unfortunate not to come off the game with at least an assist only if Atsu got his body position right after being played in delightfully by Jordan but it was clear he needed help upfront in the second half after Atsu had faded off. Wakaso for Atsu represented a defensive approach and content for a draw, Rabiu Mohammed for Afriyie Acquah was like for like and Ayew for Accam the only attack minded change but that should have been the first call. Football has grown to the point that timing is very important and your cards determine if you win, draw or lose. On the day Alain Giresse was more purposeful and audacious with his cards.
GYAN WAS DEEPLY MISSED.
When the team sheets were finally out without Africa’s highest goal scorer at the world cup and Ghana’s most reliable source of goals it was clear we were going to struggle in front of goal, we have always struggle without Gyan but the way and manner we struggled to even hold up the ball and wait for midfielders to join the attack was alarming. Jordan for all his talent doesn’t have the physical attributes to hold up the ball and how well Gyan would have held on to the ball, Grant and his medics will have to work round the clock to get him back in that must win against Algeria.
JONATHAN MENSAH’S INCONSISTENCY IS A COURSE OF CONCERN.
For years Jonathan Mensah has been touted as the natural successor to John Mensah and after two world cup experiences and a couple of Africa cup of nations he is still not looking the real deal, he was clumsy against Senegal lost the ball in dangerous areas and failed to hold the back line together. The most experienced in the three back set up more will be required of the Evian man against Algeria.
Share your comments in the space proved below of what you also thought went wrong for the team