Sports
What are we not doing right?
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
Football is widely regarded as a sport where teamwork, not always individual brilliance, leads to success. This principle likely underpins the notable confidence expressed by Ghanaian soccer fans following the draw for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
So, despite the not-so-impressive performance of the Black Stars, Ghanaians remain optimistic about the team’s chances.
Last Friday’s draw pitched the Black Stars against England, Croatia, and Panama in a group that has been described in several ways. Some say it is manageable; others believe it is a tricky group, while for some, it represents Ghana’s easiest group compared to previous World Cups attended.
In sampling the views of some soccer fans, one retorted: “This is the best group in our World Cup history. England is no match. We may draw with Croatia and beat Panama. We are the favourites in the group.”
At that point, I conceded the lack of the “technical, or perhaps spiritual, eyes” that allow some fans to reach such confident conclusions about the Black Stars’ prospects.
Taking a closer look at the group, England are, without doubt, the strongest on paper with a fourth-place ranking in the latest FIFA rankings. Croatia follows in 10th position, Panama in 30th, and the Black Stars in 72nd position.
These statistics and several other factors make the fans’ overwhelming confidence appear untenable, and it would be wise to join those urging Team Ghana to tread with caution.
Comparatively, England comes to the table with the strongest team not just by virtue of their ranking. They also boast a squad featuring players from top clubs across the globe. Top performers like Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Alexander Trent-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and others can be identified with the Three Lions.
The Croatians also boast world-class players such as Dominik Livaković, Joško Gvardiol, Luka Modrić, Nikola Vlašić, Andrej Kramarić, Ivan Perišić, Toni Fruk, and many others.
Ghana, however, comes with a talented squad that will depend more on teamwork rather than individual brilliance, which the aforementioned teams could boast of.
With all things working together for the good of the Black Stars, Coach Otto Addo will have the luxury of calling on Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Benjamin Asare, Mohammed Kudus, Kwesi Sibo, and other emerging talents.
For Panama, they have a virtually unknown squad with players plying their trade in some respectable leagues. In their final qualifier, they featured Marseille right-back Michael Amir Murillo, Norwich City center-back Jose Cordoba, Slovan Bratislava defender Cesar Blackman, Las Palmas midfielder Edward Cedeno, Pumas UNAM playmaker Adalberto Carrasquilla, and San Diego midfielder Anibal Godoy.
Panama comes as the biggest beneficiary of the CONCACAF decision to host the World Cup, granting three automatic qualifications to the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But this does not make them automatic minnows, as many fans might want to believe.
It would be unrealistic to assume that the Black Stars have the men to outshine England or Croatia based purely on individual talents. But since football thrives on teamwork, Panama—and just like Ghana—can dare to dream against the big boys in the group and rewrite their World Cup history.
By Andrew Nortey
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Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko would hope to return to winning ways this weekend following defeats in their Matchday 13 Ghana Premier League (GPL) games last week.
Both teams suffered defeats on the road, leaving them with 21 points apiece, with the Phobians sitting seventh, two places below Kotoko.
At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium today, Hearts of Oak will attempt a second straight victory when they host Nations FC. The Phobians lost 1-0 to Nations FC last season in this fixture at the Tuba Astro Turf, a game many Hearts fans would want to forget.
Tomorrow, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, injury-stricken Asante Kotoko will hope for a good day when they host 14th-placed Dreams FC. Dreams FC suffered a 4-1 battering last season in this fixture and will be looking for revenge.
Dreams FC, led by Winfred Dormon, a protégé of Coach Zito, will aim to exact revenge on his former boss following that heavy defeat last season.
After going down 2-0 in the highly-anticipated Western Derby against Samartex FC last week, Bibiani Gold Stars return to their base at the Dun’s Park to host Medeama SC in another blockbuster Western derby.
Following their 2-0 victory over Hearts last week, Karela United will trek to the Wenchi Sports Stadium to face Young Apostles.
In other games, Berekum Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways when they host high-flying Hohoe United at the Golden City Park, while Basake Holy Stars FC will host Samartex FC at the Ampian AAK II Sports Arena in Azulewanu.
Swedru All Blacks will take on Vision FC at the Swedru Stadium, with the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park hosting the Bechem United FC vs. Eleven Wonders game.
By Raymond Ackumey
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