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What are we not doing right?

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This week has not been very fine for Ghana, depending on where you sit.

On Monday, Ghanaians woke up to Turkey-based Ghanaian international – Bernard Mensah’s starling news temporarily calling time on his international career.

The 26-year-old utility, currently plying his trade for Besiktas JK – on loan from Kayserispor – announced on his official twitter account his decision of retiring from the Black Stars until further notice.

He said he would rather concentrate on his club; the statement coming barely four days to the nation’s AFCON qualifying double-header against Sudan. It is not limpidly clear what might have triggered the unforeseen decision.

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He may not be a player of the first water but the utility player has been a decent performer and one of those actors that have been pretty consistent anytime he donned the national colours. Why he virtually ‘walked out’ of the national team raises a lot of eyebrows.  There could be more to the story.

Perhaps, he may have been frustrated and disillusioned for not being given enough playing time whenever he reports for Ghana; or there could be something that pushed him into embossing his resolution to the mast.

Mensah was recently used in Ghana’s 0-3 loss to Mali in a friendly international in Qatar, but was subsequently sidelined in the second friendly win against Qatar (5-1), three days later.

Well, some say the player too, may have taken a rash decision and one can only wish him well in his endeavours until he finishes his ‘self-imposed exile’ from the senior national team.

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The second issue was rather nettling.  It was the rejection of a national team call-up by Ghanaian-German player Jamie Leweling. The 19-year-old had been named in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan, a decision that stunned many Ghanaians who may not have heard about the young man’s exploits in the Bundesliga 2 side, Greuther Furth.

Indeed, we were told everything had been done, paving way for Leweling’s invitation. Sadly, it all proved a lie – and now we have a heavy embarrassment staring us in the face.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, too, had made statements suggesting that all was set for Leweling to mark his maiden appearance for the Stars.

“Jamie Leweling was recommended by the technical director [Bernhard Lippert] of the Ghana Football Association. As a result, CK Akonnor travelled to Germany and watched him (Leweling) two times and some of his videos. And considering all the information that we had, we thought it was imperative to bring him to the team.

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“Some of the information were classified but Jamie must come to the team for which reason we gave the coach the green light to bring him,” Okraku told Hello FM.

So, how does an FA boss make such emphatic statements when he does not have the young lad firmly stuck under his grips? Was he wrongly briefed, too? This is ridiculous, not so?

From the look of things, even the national team coach Akunnor, never had any serious talk with the German attacking talent.

How do you make a call-up without having any serious communication with the player as to whether he would love to play for his country of birth? You do not take things for granted.

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It is believed the youngster was not ready to apply to FIFA for a nationality switch, wanting to continue his procession with Germany after featuring for the Under-19 and 20 levels.

Leweling, who is being linked with Schalke 04, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan, we are told, was born in Nuremberg to a Ghanaian mother and was part of the professional squad at the “Kleeblatt” last season – having garnered a regular part of the first team, this season.

Next time, let us get it right before we even rush to the press to make such announcements.

There is an African proverb that says you do not lay the bed when you have not seen the woman.

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Chelsea Host Hearts in Berekum

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Prince Anane —Berekum Chelsea

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.

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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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How Otto Addo Turned Critics Into Fans (1)

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Coach Otto Addo
Coach Otto Addo

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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