All national team coaches are doing their very best to keep their players well and injury-free before the competition begins now that all qualified teams are confirmed. It won’t be any different for Ghana. With some of the players making their debuts, the recent international break offered the coach some time to evaluate the players. Giving the opportunity for regular team starters to develop team chemistry is another advantage. The Black Stars’ encouraging displays over the past several games have been a feast for our eyes. These players made a significant effort to guarantee their spots on the team traveling to Qatar in 2022.
Abdul Manaf Nurudeen
In Ghana’s second Kirin Cup game against Chile, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen saved two penalties and was the star of the show. After 90 minutes, the game concluded without a goal. Abdul Manaf demonstrated throughout the penalty shootout why he should be included in the final team traveling to Qatar. If Ghana achieves the difficult feat and advances to the World Cup knockout round, do we finally have a penalty expert to spare us from another heartbreak?
Baba Iddrisu
The Central Midfielder took advantage of Thomas Partey’s absence to lay a claim for a starting place in the team on a regular basis. Against Madagascar, he performed well in the middle of the park with Mohammed Kudus to control the game for the Black Stars. Missing out on the lineup against Central African Republic, we are eager to watch how a midfield trio of Kudus, Iddrisu, and Partey will fare against a strong opponent.
Mohammed Kudus
The first two games of Ghana’s qualification for the 2023 African Cup of Nations demonstrated why Mohammed Kudus’s presence in the Black Stars’ midfield was sorely missed. His ability to keep things cool and keep the ball moving is unmatched. You can only image how the team’s link up play will develop with Thomas Partey back in the team’s engine room after a commanding display against Madagascar in Cape Coast.
Jordan Ayew
Jordan carries a heavy burden on his shoulders. Abedi Pele’s son, who has received criticism for his lack of goals while wearing the Black Stars uniform, makes up for it on the field with his work ethic. That explains why any new coach will select him to be one of his starting eleven players. Jordan Ayew scored Ghana’s lone goal in the Kirin Cup encounter against Japan during the just concluded international break. During the penalty shootout versus Chile, he was one of the players that scored. He has undoubtedly booked his plane ticket to Qatar, where he may play in his final World Cup.
Denis Odoi
His poise on the field of play hasn’t changed since making his debut in the first leg of the World Cup qualification play-off against Nigeria. He made an assured and calm appearance against Madagascar in his third game for Ghana, demonstrating to coach Otto Addo that he can always be trusted to use his experience on the field when necessary. When the players are called up, Denis Odoi will undoubtedly be on the plane even though Brighton right back Tariq Lamptey is planning to change his nationality. Tariq will give the team an additional edge, but we can’t ignore the fact that the team will need all the experience it can garner to make an impact in Qatar.
By Kwesi Gyasi Otoo (@kwesi_lazintus)
