Sports
Player selection, a coach’s headache
A statement attributed to Black Stars Assistant Coach, John Paintsil, regarding player selection has sent tongues wagging and teeth gnashing.
In a media interview, Paintsil hinted that there could be ‘a lot of surprises’ when the final Black Stars list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament is announced.
No matter how one looks at it, it is clear Paintsil only stated the obvious and come June 1, when the final announcement is made by the technical team, some would be happy; others would be disappointed.
Trying to step into the shoes of the coach, Otto Addo, one realises that selections for such high-profile tournament is the most difficult part of preparations.
Over the years, it has been shown that a player’s participation can be on merit. There have also been circumstances when a player’s selection is ill-deserved but on what basis is that conclusion reached?
There is an interesting analogy in Ghana’s World Cup selection history with Otto Addo being a major beneficiary at a time fans may think he didn’t deserve it.
The German born did not play in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers for Ghana, but was later included in the final squad for the World Cup tournament in Germany. Despite not featuring in the qualifying campaign, he played a role in the squad’s preparation and was part of the team that represented Ghana at the World Cup for the first time.
He did no wrong; neither did the selectors. Such is the nature of football. The ‘Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop’ theory clearly applies.
And for a technical team that has been working so hard to put together a proper representation at the football showpiece, this theory could be revisited, putting Paintsil’s comments about shocks in proper perspective.
Otto Addo has indicated that the technical team will cast its net wide to identify the best talent to put together a formidable team, irrespective of where they are based.
In the game of football, no player’s spot is guaranteed. In cases where players maintain consistent performances, he can be unfortunately ruled out by injury like it has happened in the case of Salisu Mohammed.
There were other players as well that started the qualifiers. Mention can be made of players like Dennis Odoi and Tauriq Lamptey.
Others lost their positions through poor performances and because there was no time to wait, new players are selected to fill the gaps.
There are also players that peak at the right time, making it difficult for the selectors to ignore them.
All of these developments can have dire consequences on the structure of the final team and fans must, therefore, view Paintsil’s clue as one that serves as a timely reminder of the harsh realities under which teams are managed, rather than looking at it as intimidation.
Top coaches all over the world have stated how it is impossible to please their players just because on a match day, only 11 players can start.
Otto Addo will face the same situation in his bid to assemble the best.
Ghana has been drawn into Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will kick off their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, face England in Boston, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
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Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
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