Sports
Meteors must kill the ‘penalty demon’
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Meteors celebrating a goal against Mozambique in their last game
Last Sunday, Ghana’s Black Meteors recorded back-to-back wins over their Mozambican counterparts in a CAF Under-23 Nations Cup qualifier in Kumasi.
The Ghanaians first registered a 2-1 away victory and sealed up the reverse mission to swagger away on a 4-1 aggregate delight.
The victory brings them face-to-face against Congo DR – doubtless, a lip-smacking crunch encounter whose aggregate winner qualifies for the CAF Under-23 African Cup of Nations tournament, next year.
Three teams from the Nations Cup qualify for the Olympics.
A little over two years ago, Ghana made it to the tournament proper, but failed to grab a ticket for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, after a heart-breaking loss at the shoot-out. That defeat still evokes a myriad of tear-jerking moments.
Four teams – hosts Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa represented the continent in Japan – the last two countries benefiting from Ghana’s pathetic penalty malaise to scrape through.
One too many, Ghana football has been swallowed up by this ‘penalty demon’ – throwing the nation into unending tears of torment.
That is why there are many football fans who have sworn not to watch penalty kicks involving Ghana, just to avoid further heart-breaks. You remember the Local Black Stars’ penalty loss to Senegal too, in the 2020 WAFU Cup of Nations final?
Indeed, the agony and melancholy of defeat during the lottery of penalty kicks can live with the football fan forever – maybe, the player too. Of course, when there is victory, the irrepressible joy that comes with it can also be so uplifting.
Of recent times, Ghana football at the senior level has suffered at the icy hands of the shoot-out – to the extent that some believe our football is under some kind of malediction. Well, not too sure what it is.
What is clear is that Ghana often slumps shoddily when it comes to the post-game-dead-ball kicks.
Many are still at a loss as to how Ghana’s Black Meteors failed to make it to Tokyo, despite being given two lifelines in 96 hours. In the first instance, the Meteors rallied up to draw 2-2 in the semi-final encounter against Cote d’Ivoire in the CAF Under-23 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), before crashing at the spot-kicks.
Then came the third-place play-off that ended 2-2 with Ghana grabbing a last-gasp redeemer. The penalty kicks were quickly invoked. A win for the Meteors was going to send them to Ghana’s first Olympic Games in 16 years. They were tipped to make amends. But sadly, after throwing away their first kick, the South Africans went ahead to win 6-5. The Meteors were out rather distressingly!
One of the most recent of what appears to be a penalty hoodoo happened in 2015 when Ghana’s Black Stars crashed 8-9 in the finale of the African Cup of Nations, following a barren game after extra time in the Equatorial Guinea city of Bata.
It was a second title for the Ivorians whose only previous success came when they also accounted for Ghana in a similar post-match marathon shootout 11-10 in Dakar in 1992. A total of 22 kicks were needed to settle the title in Bata with the Ivorians missing their first two attempts.
First two kicks missed! That even makes it more excruciating and heart-rending! Ghana’s agonising shoot-out defeat means the four-time champions are still waiting for their first Nations Cup success since 1982.
What may yet pose as big test is our ability to banish our penalty demons.
Indeed, as the Meteors prepare for the game against Congo DR, let them begin to plan effectively towards exorcising the penalty hex which has haunted our football for God knows how long.
As emotional as they are, penalty kicks in general and shoot-outs in particular are not just gambles, according to research. Behavioural economics research shows that there are methods that both the kicker and the goalkeeper can use to gain an edge, and one of the most crucial factors takes place before the shootout even begins: which team goes first.
Based on player interviews, nervousness seemed to be the likelier explanation. So it stands to reason that players are most nervous during the tie-breaking round of penalty kicks at the end of a long match.
Indeed, Meteors’ Edward Sarpong, glaringly, was full of nerves as he dashed to take what would have been his team’s winning penalty against South Africa in the third-place match.
Noticeably, edginess, tenseness, nerves and weariness have been identified as one of the possible causes of penalty misses and it is high time our technical men and handlers of our national teams, woke up to navigate around this challenge.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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