Sports
Congrats, Dede Ayew! …but keep the focus
Andre Morgan Dede Ayew needs no introduction. He is a house-hold name in Ghana and world football. Such an enchantingly alluring character!
Popularly known as Dede, the Ghana attacking midfielder and Black Stars captain marked his 100th appearance for the senior national team at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
And, what a magnificent fashion to cap it in the Central Region – scoring a crucial spot-kick for Ghana against South Africa that catapulted the Stars to the final phase (play-off) of the Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament.
Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey had been ‘soiled’ in the area by defender Rushine de Reuck. The visitors protested the offence, but Referee Maguette Ndiaye, stuck to his gun.
It was a big moment for Ghana who only needed a goal to sail through. Who was going to effect the crucial kick? But before anyone could stretch it further, Dede stepped up to that onerous responsibility and sent the goalie the wrong way, firing the Cape Coast Stadium into raptures. It happened to be the only goal of the night.
Three days earlier, the Qatar-based Ghana captain had sublimely curled home a free-kick against Ethiopia in a 1-1 stalemate played at the FNB Stadium in South Africa. The Ethiopians say they had chosen that venue of all places, following a state of insecurity in their country.
From the records, Dede is the second most-capped player for Ghana – only nine caps short of legend Asamoah Gyan.
In appreciation of the centennial feat, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports celebrated Dede for reaching his latest milestone, honouring him with a special customised Ghana jersey with his name and the number 100 emblazoned on it. It was an enthralling splendor!
“It’s been an honour of a lifetime to play for my country and a blessing to be able to get 100 caps. Thanks to all players and coaches who have helped me all the way. Thanks also to the GFA and the Minister of Sports. God bless our homeland Ghana and make us Great and Strong,” Dede posted on social media.
Highest goal-poacher in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with nine goals, the now 31-year-old Dede carved his Ghana debut in 2007, and has presently bundled home 22 goals for the Black Stars.
The former Swansea City and West Ham star is well loved by Ghanaians, having captained the national Under-20 team (Black Satellites) to gold at the World Youth Tournament in Egypt, 2009.
That bravura of a feat, is still Africa’s solitary gold at that level.
Dede’s unparalleled sense of commitment, dedication, discipline and valour on the pitch has won him numerous fans across the world.
He once said: “It is a huge honour to play for your country, and once you get the opportunity, you have go all out, kill yourself and bring smiles on the faces of the fans.”
Presently, Dede is faced with the mammoth task of leading the nation to the Qatar World Cup. It is a Herculean challenge, but it is surmountable with a single, unwavering sense of purpose and hardwork.
The play-offs among 10 countries to determine the five teams to represent Africa in Qatar is scheduled for March, 2022.
From the teams that have made it to the last phase, it is very likely Ghana could meet the likes of DR Congo, Mali, Egypt and Senegal to make it to their fourth World Cup, after the glories of Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.
Until then, we congratulate Andre Dede Ayew for chalking the centenary feat. We know it has not been an easy journey since his maiden appearance when invited by Claude Le Roy for the Black Stars’ friendly against Senegal and later the 2008 AFCON that Ghana hosted.
By 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
