Sports
Big salute for the gallant boys
Even though they left the shores of Ghana as sub-regional champions, only a few could think about them screeching a notch further to conquer Africa.
No! This was not the ideal generation of Black Satellites that many could muster the courage to favour for a major continental glory.
But why was the team not given a dog’s chance? Why did we play down on their capabilities? Why were they seen as potential failure into a youth tournament they had subdued on three previous occasions? These were some of the $64,000-dollar questions that flooded the minds of many followers of the African game.
Reason for the dearth of trust was intriguingly varied.
Some argued that this Satellites team do not play the ‘sexy-like’ champagne football that drew prettily romantic patterns on the pitch; whilst others assert among other things that they were goal-shy and do not get famished enough for the kill.
Many other worse things were said about the Satellites – and to some extent the ‘sweat merchant’ of the team – Abdul Karim Zito, whose tactical acumen was brought into question by the cavillers during the successful sub-regional tournament held in Benin.
But there were positives about the team which many did not know – or may not have taken notice of.
What was, perhaps, limpidly evident was the fact that the present Satellites were not as flamboyant in terms of skill and flair as their predecessors of 2009 led by Andre Dede Ayew. Heartily, they make up for that deficiency with individual brilliance, plenty of fighting spirit – a never-giving-up spirit, a spirit that is ready to die on the battlefield rather than surrender!
And, that patently manifested in the just-ended tournament in Mauritania, where they went, saw and conquered to the amazement of all. It was the nation’s fourth conquest at the youth level, following victories in 1993, 1999 and 2009.
However, the stunningly sweet aspect of the Mauritania 2021 victory was not the defeat of Cameroon at the quarter final stage on penalties – nor the 2-0 win over Uganda’s Hippos at the grand final; it was rather the triumph over Gambia’s Young Scorpions at the semi-finals.
As you are already aware, the Satellites were forced to finish as third-best placed team in Group C, after losing 1-2 to Gambia in the final group game. Though not all-too unexpected, it still came as shock to many – the Ghanaians having thundered Tanzania 4-0 before holding off an imposing Morocco side to a barren game.
A good team is seen in its supreme ability to resurrect from ashes to victory. To lose to a team at the group stage and bounce back to serve revenge cold, is simply a mark of greatness!
It is a shame to think that this doughty-charactered team of purpose would not have the opportunity to represent Ghana at the global stage, due to the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic that has led to the cancellation of the tournament.
We would have loved to see whether these generation could clinch Ghana its second FIFA Under-20 World Cup, after the historic feat was chalked by Dede Ayew and his boys in Egypt, 2009. Significantly, Ghana remains the only African country to have won this world title.
Whilst we commend the Satellites, its handlers and the management team for the success story, we urge them not to rest on their oars but use this achievement as springboard to a much bigger feat in the future.
Ghana will be hosting the 2023 multi-sport African Games and it is expected that the Daniel Barnieh Afriyie-led Satellites team would form the fulcrum of our football representatives.
Once again, we salute our gallant heroes. Big salute for them!
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
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Ghana coach Otto Addo may not command the kind of fear and respect like Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and others in the modern game, but in his small corner, he is gradually climbing the ladder to greatness in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.
The aforementioned coaches attained greatness with club sides and, therefore, open an argument over whether one is not comparing apples to oranges. But no matter how one looks at it, they are all coaches harbouring similar ambitions to attain greatness in their fields.
Otto Addo is one of the young and upcoming coaches holding a lot of promise and was getting experience with his association with Borussia Dortmund in Germany until his path was directed by a Ghana call.
Although he was born in Germany, Otto Addo’s association with Ghana football dates back to 1999, spanning a period of about seven years; commencing with a 5–0 rout of Eritrea on February 28. He gained international prominence when he joined the squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations. He featured as a midfielder in the team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
But like it’s often said, a prophet is not recognised in his own home and his efforts partially went unnoticed. He’ll go into the annals as one of the Black Stars coaches to have been fairly or otherwise criticised not just by ‘football people’ but fans who doubted him.
His sack has been discussed at various platforms by people whose knowledge and tactical acumen about the game remains questionable. Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, at one point openly stated his doubts over Otto Addo’s ability to actually deliver.
No coach would feel secured in such turbulent times, but coach Otto Addo kept his calm and composure. On the corridors of his employers, however, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, openly rallied support for him, though a few ‘doubting Thomases’ still questioned his credentials.
That painted a picture of a people that forget easily and are quick to crucify. In a brief moment of adversity, Ghanaians forgot how Otto Addo was brought in to pluck qualification for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup from the jaws of the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a solitary goal over two legs.
The upshot of that feat was not one any Nigerian would want to remember. The scenes after the match were awfully chaotic, as fans vented their anger on facilities at the stadium. Back in Ghana, it was partying all night and day.
Otto Addo was labeled the football magician. He achieved something no Ghanaian coach had ever accomplished; a feat which Ghana with her all-time best teams could not attain. That was the climax to which Otto Addo took Ghana football, generating calls to start believing in the Ghanaian coach.
Following that to the World Cup proper was another story altogether. It was, or may have been, our poorest show at any of the four World Cup appearances. And just as it was stipulated in his contract, he bowed out after the Qatar World Cup to mind his Borussia Dortmund business with peace.
But as fate would have it, nature found a way to renew his romance with Ghana football after an unconvincing start to the America, Canada and Mexico dream World Cup under special advisor turned coach, Chris Hughton.
Ghana started the qualifiers on a winning note but not a convincing performance. It was saved by an Inaki Williams goal scored on the sixth minute of additional time against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The Black Stars then slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Stade de Moroni to Comoros to heighten calls for a new technical direction.
Then stepped in Otto Addo when Ghana occupied the fourth position in Group I with three points but with the countries in the group evenly matched.
By Andrew Nortey
