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In Group D, Ghana has a height to climb

Filed Under : News by

May.13,2010

In 2002 World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, Germany dismantled Saudi Arabia 8 goals to nil with 6 of the goals coming from headers. After I watched that match, I prayed to God that my cherished Ghana Black Stars never meet these tall Germans in a World Cup match. The big, tall, enduring and tirelessly unyielding footballers from the German national team are a tough nut to crack for any team. Ghana should have its tactical discipline and adjustment in place; otherwise, we will have our hands full. To beat Germany, Ghana should implement a few tactical adjustments in order to defeat Germany. First, Ghana should select players who have height and the physique to match the big, tall Germans, Australians and the Serbians. In World Cup group D, Ghana is facing three teams with height and aerial prowess; therefore, Ghana has a height to climb.

To make this tactical adjustment, we need players like Francis Dickoh, Junior Agogo (injured), and Ahmed Apimah Barusso in the team to neutralize our opponents’ height and size advantage. Francis Dickoh and Jonathan Quartey should be the backups for Isaac Vorsah and John Mensah instead of Eric Addo and Jonathan Mensah. Also, I believe that Ahmed Barusso should replace Anthony Annan. Anthony Annan, despite his great defensive work rate, lack size and height, and Ghana can be punished in the air during set pieces. Ahmed Barusso can also field in for Michael Essien, another star who is currently out injured and could be doubtful for the finals. Marislav Klose and Michael Ballach will have a field day scoring from crosses and corners if Eric Addo, Samuel Inkoom, Anthony Annan, Agyemang Badu are on the field defending corners and free kicks.

: Michael Essien is doubtful for the finals.

Considering both our probably central defenders John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah are not fully fit, it incredulous and unthinkable that Milo left out Francis Dickoh and Jonathan Quartey from his selected 30 men squad. Again, we need both to back up Vorsah and Mensah, respectively. Jonathan Mensah is a defensive star for the future. He is not ready for the senior level; nonetheless, the World Cup.

The Senior World Cup is not a U-20 tournament. This is the World Cup; it is a serious business and Milo has to know that we Ghanaians want to win the cup on African soil. We want to be the first African nation to get to that mountain top. We do not just want to show up like World Cup 2006, we want to win the entire tournament this time around!!

As a consequence, this tactical adjustment should be made soon. Ghana has a tall height to climb and the Germans, Australians and the Serbians have the height advantage. Unless we make the tactical adjustment to neutralize our opponents’ aerial superiority, they will punish us on that weakness and I hope Milo is reading this piece to make the necessary tactical adjustments to enable the Black Stars to stand on top of the World, as World Cup 2010 Champions!!!!

Good Luck Black Stars of Ghana!!!!