Ghanaian players took centre stage in various European leagues this past weekend, delivering impressive performances that countered Black Star coach Otto Addo’s recent assertion that the current Black Stars team lacks quality.
Addo’s comments, made after the team’s disappointing performance against Sudan, suggested that Ghanaian fans had unrealistic expectations due to comparisons with past teams.
“I can’t compare our players who have been playing Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan. We had all these kinds of players. I can’t compare them with all due respect to our players now”.
However, the actions of Ghana’s overseas-based players told a different story.
Mohammed Kudus, who plays for West Ham, scored his second goal of the season at Tottenham and tied Asamoah Gyan’s record of 10 goals in the English Premier League (EPL) making him the seventh joint-highest-scoring Ghanaians in EPL history.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s impactful cameo off the bench for Leicester City against Southampton, which included an assist, further reinforced the notion that player quality is not the primary issue.
Jordan Ayew, another Ghanaian player, sealed the win for Leicester with a late goal to help the Foxes secure a remarkable 3:2 comeback against Southampton.
Antoine Semenyo, meanwhile, showcased his potential with a decisive and direct performance for Bournemouth in their 2-0 victory against Arsenal. Tearing apart the Gunners’ defence with his incredible pace.
In Spain, Inaki Williams scored a first-half brace for Athletic Bilbao to bring his tally to three goals and four assists. He put away chances that were way more complicated than the 1v1 he missed against Sudan.
Other Ghanaian players made significant contributions across Europe. Ibrahim Osman scored his first Dutch Eredivisie goal and provided two assists for Feyenoord, while Edmund Baidoo netted his second goal for RB Salzburg in the Austrian top flight. Gideon Mensah registered his first assist of the season for Auxerre in the French Ligue 1 and Baba Rahman put the icing on the cake, scoring his first goal of the season in the Greek Super League against AEK Athens tonight.
These performances underscore the talent and potential within Ghana’s player pool. Rather than lacking quality, the Black Stars’ struggles may stem from tactical and strategic issues. Coach Otto Addo’s comments seemed to deflect attention from the team’s shortcomings and shift the focus onto fan expectations.
The evidence from the weekend suggests that Ghanaian players have the skill and ability to compete at the highest level. It is now up to the coaching staff to harness this talent, develop effective strategies, and unlock the team’s full potential.
Source:
3news.com
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