So you mean the Black Stars are so bereft of dribblers and shooters that they play a crucial Afcon match without a single shot at goal? On top you hardly see anybody dribbling past more than one opponent. This is unbelievable but that’s what we all saw on TV when the Black Stars played Madagascar in Antananarivo on Sunday.
This football crazy nation of ours has a tradition of producing adept dribblers (playmakers if you like) and sharp goal scorers. I am referring to serious ball artists and determined players who leave you in no doubt after ninety minutes that you have not wasted money and time to watch them even if your favourite team lost the game. Let’s face it, we have come a long way since the pre-independence days when the generation of Chris Briandt, James Adjei, Tim Darbah and Co played without any serious national recognition.
As it’s well known football and sports in general is currently well structured in such a way that if those in charge are prepared to work assiduously we shall once again be among the tops in Africa like the way we carved four back to back Afcon Cup finals in 1963, 1965, 1968 and 1970.
To refresh your memory Ghana beat Sudan 3-0 in 1963 in Accra; beat Tunisia 3-2 extra time in Tunis; lost 1-0 to Congo in Addis Ababa 1968 and lost 1-0 to Sudan in Khartoum 1970. At this juncture may I please remind the GFA that this year marks the 60th anniversary of Ghana’s first Afcon triumph. It’s a gentle reminder for them to mark the anniversary in style.
Luckily we have around a few living legends of the triumphant team notably, Wilberforce Mfum, Dodoo Ankrah, Kofi Pare and Osei Kofi. I see them quite often in Accra. It would be a good idea if the 60th anniversary could be planned to dovetail the Black Stars crucial Afcon qualifiers in September against Central African Republic.
The mention of Osei Kofi reminds me of his dribbling wizardry that also reminded me of the likes of Mohammed Salisu, Fred Akuffo, Salami, Frank Odoi and Co that also leads me to another trailblazer Mohammed Polo, the Dribbling Magician and which also takes me to the prolific products from ‘Gyandu College for Dribblers’ like Kofi Abbrey, John Bannerman, Ebo Smith and Co. My goodness, these were accomplished dribblers easily comparable to the current global super stars Lionel Messi and his “brother” Cristiano Ronaldo. As for Mohammed Polo he even had a protégé from Tarkwa who grew up so rapidly to become the Zico of Ghana football.
The last but not the least was SWAG product Abedi Pele who became almost indispensable in the national team. He now carries the enviable tag of producing two sons for the Black Stars who incidentally like their mates did not impress in Sunday’s match against Madagascar.
It is difficult to explain the rather stale performance by the Black Stars. I am however a bit slow in passing quick judgements these days being a one-time management Member three decades ago. You are privy to a lot of confidential and often times controversial issues that may happen before the players get to the pitch, especially team selection. I hope the handlers would smoothen all vital issues to enable the country celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Black Stars Afcon triumph in a real festive mood.
Meanwhile, I continue with the profiles of Asante Kotoko 1982 squad and Accra Hearts of Oak 1985 squad.
KOTOKO SQUAD 1982
Kwadwo Addai Kyenkyenhene
This 27-year-old midfielder can claim to possess the longest and the most fascinating name in Ghana football.
Kyenkyenhene, an electronic technician by profession, rose to the limelight in 1976 when
most of the regular Stars in the Kotoko team were on national assignment. He led a bunch of novices to successfully hold the fort for the regulars and since then his name has become a household word.
His ambition is to be a good professional player and train his young son, Kwabena, to play football.
Christiana Konadu, a trader is the lovely wife.
His local idol is Opoku Afriyie and Brazilian ace Cerezo is his favourite star abroad.
The Kotoko-Eleven Wise FA Cup final is his most memorable event and the Kotoko defeat by Kadiogo the saddest.
Opanin Kwaku Antwi Agyei a farmer and Madam Ama Serwaa are the parents.
George Kennedy (President)
A product of Kumasi Secondary Technical College, Kennedy is one promising player yet to have the full opportunity to display his budding talents.
The strong running forward had always played the role of a substitute and on each occasion he scores full marks. He is a brilliant goal poacher and two seasons ago he was one of the serious contenders for the goal king title in the national league.
Born in Kumasi on 15th July 1987, Kennedy who hails from Elmina, started active football in 1975 with Nsawam based GIHOC Stars. He joined Kotoko in 1979.
His hobbies are dancing and driving and professional soccer is his ambition.
His parents are Cecil Hamilton Kennedy a businessman and Lucy Dinay a trader.
Vida Opoku Agyemang is Kennedy’s attractive wife. She is a hairdresser and they have one kid, Kevin.
Goalkeeper Okine Quaye is his favourite player and Kevin Keegan is his favourite abroad.
Kotoko’s victory over Hearts in 1977 is his most memorable event and the Kadiogo incident is his saddest.
HEARTS SQUAD 985
Seth Ampadu
Seth Ampadu is a towering Rear guardsman who plays the number four position with professional seriousness. He is noted for his close marking and his sporadic shots from behind when the going gets tough upfront.
Ampadu started big time football in 1975 with Hearts and left three years later to Kumasi where he helped Kotoko to four league triumphs plus the Africa Cup in 1983.
Born at Obo Kwahu on 9th September 1954 to Opanin W. A. Ampadu a farmer and Madam Comfort Nyarko a trader, Seth has returned to his mother club to help her reach the top in the Africa Cup this year.
Seth, affectionately called “Nana”, is a serious family man with three kids. His favourite player in Ghana is Opoku Afriyie and former English star Kevin Keegan is his idol player abroad.
World featherweight boxing champion Azumah Nelson is one sportsman Seth Ampadu admires. Apart from football Ampadu likes hockey and table tennis. Ampadu’s favourite food is Rice and Fufu with some Guinness Stout.
Edward Acquah was his football hero of childhood days and Pope John Paul is one person in the world Ampadu would like to meet.
Andrews Quansah
Agona Nsaba born Andrews Quansah is the number two Goalkeeper for the champion club. He has sharp reflexes, good physique, and the knack for saving penalty kicks.
Quansah started big time football with Accra Standfast and Great Olympics before registering for Hearts last season. Even though he has been
eclipsed by national star Owusu Mensah, he always gives a good account of himself on the few occasions that he is fielded.
Lanky Quansah was born On 23rd March 1963 to Mr S. O. Quansah, a civil servant and Asi Ackom a petty trader.
His interest in football began quite early and his hero then was Kwame Adarkwa of Asante Kotoko fame.
Mohammed Polo is Quansah’s favourite player at the moment and Malian born Tigana of France is his idol abroad.
Quansah is an electrician by profession. His favourite food is Fufu and apart from Mohammed Polo the other sportsman he most admires is Azumah Nelson.
The Ghanaian Times is his favourite newspaper and Pele of Brazil is the man in the world he would like to meet.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
