Isaac Opeele ‘Ghana Mourinho’ Boateng explains why Michael Essien and Derek Boateng should be dropped from Ghana’s final 23-man squad for the World Cup. The following is his assessment. My assessment is of each player who made the 30-man provisional list- It has no-good milk mixed with quinine tonic but from a pure technical perspective. It is such that the odd duffer will not slip through the net. It stands to always reason and come out with empirical facts in the cause of national interest. In the days of C.K Gyamfi, Awuley Quaye Jnr, Abedi Pele and Opoku Nti etc you have to be a pretty good footballer to play in Ghana’s top team, i.e. the Black Stars. But now, you only have to be a foreign-based professional player and you are in the team! Well, yes, sometimes life has its own time. I consulted supporters, coaches and other stakeholders of the game – and this is the result. Agree or disagree? Have your say below GOALKEEPERS: Richard Kingson: Kingson has barely kept the post for his team in the English Premier League. According to www.physioroom.com he is in the treatment room and supposed to recover from a groin strain by 31 May that will be 11 days before Ghana’s first game. Comparing Kingson to Robert Mensah, Joseph Carr, Edward Ansah, Salifu Ansah and John Naawu makes him the worst ever to keep the Black Stars post in a highly competitive game, yet it will be his second World Cup appearance for Ghana. He is very lucky because he has no competitor for his position! When Coach Milovan Rajevac tried bringing on William Amamoo as a fierce competitor Amamoo reminded fans of the Fabien Barthez and Massimo Taibi days at Manchester United. Since then the goalkeeping department is one of Ghana’s Achilles heels! Stephen Ahorlu: By his experience in Ghana’s local league he qualifies to be in the team but only if he can carry the cross of Ghana, i.e. if we miss out on Kingson through an injury or suspension in the post. Stephen Adams: Grew up at Tema. Has all the propensity to be a great goalkeeper. He will be lucky to sit out there and enjoy the World Cup whilst Richard Kingson takes all the shots and bullets from top players around the globe! Daniel Agyei: He has a lot of years ahead of him. DEFENDERS: Samuel Inkoom: Would run close as Douglas Maicon of Inter Milan. The best right-sided full-back in Ghana’s team, .i.e. if not better than John Paintsil but for his height. His wonderful cross helped Ghana qualify from the group stage of Angola 2010. Born August 22, 1989 in Sekondi-Takoradi, he signed for FC Basel of the Swiss Super League from Asante Kotoko. He has every right to be in the team. John Paintsil: The former Harrolds and Fulham FC owner, Mr Fayed rose to the top of his business by knowing the value of a pound. John joining Fulham from West Ham was a good bargain. He enjoys driving in his customized number plated car around town. He must be ready to meet Phillipe Lahm running at him like a horse. Is John ready? Hans Adu Sarpei: Born in Tema but must be prepared for world class players who will be docking at his position to exploit a position that Ghana has struggled for years to solve. The 1.78m player was with VfL Wolfsburg for six seasons, but Wolfsburg coach Klaus Augenthaler decided not to renew Sarpei’s contract. He must be inspired by Javier Zanetti's ‘renewed anointing’ of playing for Inter Milan. From what I saw at Angola 2010, I place a question mark over Sarpei’s match fitness. Rahim Ayew: This player has character on the pitch. The Adisadel College player inherited the determination of his Dad, Abedi Ayew Pele. When the going becomes tough for Ghana in South Africa we need such heroes to carry us through. Let’s forget about names and experience. Ghana Black Stars have been crying out for a world class left back or right winger for a decade now and when we have one it is time to play him. Rahim is young, has pace, two feet and wonderful finishing ability! A utility player like Sam Johnson, he must be in the team. If you ask me why, he is a technically gifted utility player! John Mensah: He may be liked by Steve Bruce but if not careful he may end up as one of the worst to play for Sunderland. When Ghana’s Alex Nyarko moved from Lens to Everton for £4.5m in July 2000, he complained that the English league was too physical. Walter Smith, his then manager, sided with the Everton fan that ran onto the pitch at Highbury to confront the Ghanaian over a supposed lack of effort. John Mensah seems to be following that path with injury. I pray that he becomes fit to play. Just like Richard Kingson, the physio room report says John Mensah’s Knee Injury will heal by 31 May. His awkward character off the pitch does not match his physical and good play. His chances of playing is 50-50. And that will be a big gamble for Ghana. Will he die for Ghana or he just wants to be there and place value on his career? Isaac Vorsah: His early days as a player at Maamobi Mydjiland did not give him a dog chance of playing among the elites in Europe. It is his height and physique that makes up for his chance to play. He is always jittery on the pitch and may be Ghana’s weakest link in defense. If Ghana plays a team that relies on the counter–attacking football, Vorsah will be badly exposed because he can’t stand pacy attackers. Isaac Vorsah will have to depend on divinity to stop Serbia’s Nikola Žigic and Marko Pantelic as well as standing the test of Miroslav Klose and Thomas Muller. Let us hope that he becomes the Walter Samuel of Ghana’s team than a Marco Materazzi of Jose Mourinho’s Inter! If his error-prone qualities begin we will be in bad trouble. Good luck to him! Jonathan Mensah: Picking him ahead of Daniel Addo and Sampson Cudjoe of Kessben FC cements the PLB Boss’ cry of the shunning of Ghana’s local league based players. He must justify himself to be in the team. Lee Addy: Its four years ago since I remember watching this Kuuku Dadzie cast in the mould defender stop everything in sight. After being shunned by Kotoko, years later Bechem Chelsea went for him and I remember thinking it was the best bargain ever in Ghana football. Addy has all the tools to be a wonderful defender. From leadership to ball control and domination in the air he has it all. Unfortunately, his goalkeeper behind him seems not to have confidence in him. Like Shilla Illiasu he is a sure banker in lottery to perm every 1-10 number with! He must prove himself. Eric Addo: A very quiet person. I am told he was my school mate and we played together for Saint Anthony school team at Odorkor. I hope that he works hard to qualify! MIDFIELDERS: Michael Essien: Not much to say here except that with his recent outcry over the Ghanaian media criticism of his failure to give his biological father food, cloth, health and a decent shelter to befit his status as one of the richest Ghanaians. Essien is one of the toughest clutch players in the English league. He has come out to say that he will prefer to stay out of the World Cup to save his career, i.e. if necessary. Will he be in South Africa with full commitment to go in for the 50 – 50 tackles? We need a top level headed European psychologist to talk to Essien and advice us. I will drop him and save his career. Anthony Annan: He is a mysterious case. He carries the team on his back in Michael Essien's absence but those he is carrying are often struggling because of his perfect quality within the team. He is an essential player to Ghana and his tackles in the midfield are so valuable. Hope he excels in his first battle among the world best. Agyemang Badu: He is better than Michael Essien except that Essien passed under the tutelage of top class coaching in France. He maintains such a calm exterior on the field and he passes the ball and moves better without it than any one else in the Ghana team. Sulley Muntari: His disruptive or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated this time. This is a lesson note for sulley to keep in his luggage and to read twice daily: · He must follow all directions given by the coaches & assistant coaches · He must do his best and think of the national interest · When the coaches talk he must be still and listen · Sulley must be a good sportsman whether we win or lose with or without him · No swearing or name-calling · Keep your hands to yourself and clap when substituted · Sulley should not kick balls in the air or around, i.e. when the whole team is jogging or going for a water break at training. Unless the coach tells him, he must not do so. If Sulley Muntari who is a clever player is able to do this he will end up as one of the best midfielders in the tournament. I wish him well. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie: I don’t fancy his inclusion. Benard Yao Kumodzi: His inclusion depends on Milo Kevin Prince-Boateng: Great player with energy and strength. He will battle with Dede Ayew to be the SEXIEST guy in the team. If Rafael Benitez said ladies in China are dying for Fernando Torres, then Ghanaian ladies must be ready to see him play and rush to add him on facebook! BRADEZ – you know the name right? An automatic choice! Dede Ayew: Another SEXY looking guy! He is the first Ghanaian captain of the Black Satellites to win the Under-20 World Cup. His dribbling skills at the right side of the Ghanaian attack will help a lot. We hope his nimble foot will dance to the tune of Ezzy’s ‘WENGEZE’ song to cut through the opponent defenders like butter in bread. His inclusion is necessary. Kwadwo Asamoah: No one can drop him! Haminu Dramani: Physically good player and a gentleman. Personally, I like him but his recent attitude on the pitch leaves much to be desired. He must be serious and stop those smiles. He must be a businessman on the pitch. Doubts if he will make it. Derek Boateng: Calling for his exclusion on Joy FM created threats and insults from certain people. But that will never change my mind of doubting his capacity to help Ghana. Winning the MVP in his team in Spain does not make him Maradona. He is yet to convince me. Laryea Kingston: The age-cheat row must not be a bother to him. He is only 29 years old about to hit his peak at age 30 or 31. He must also not go to South Africa with the ego that he is to play at all cost. If he cares to know, Dede Ayew is the first choice at the right wing hence; some one must tell him before he boards the plane. Laryea is a young player and he must be focused and accept that he has another World Cup 2014 to play for at age, 34. Stephen Appiah: The great leader has been a good scorer and a major attraction for the public. On the field, he has demonstrated his consistent ability to see a big picture even under severe pressure during the most rapidly changing and unpredictable games. His field vision has been remarkable, allowing him to create many assists in a number of important matches. Stephen has maintained his fitness at Bologna and I declare that even if he is a “lame or cripple” he must be untouchable! Appiah is a super player; his supersonic passes can cause damage to any defensive unit. He is an icon and a gem that must stay around the team. If Ghana is England, Appiah is David Beckham! If anyone still doubts my thought over his inclusion, he or she must visit the army base at Burma Camp to ask any soldier about the importance of a team captain as well as someone who gives team moral. His modern day leadership quality makes Stephen Appiah untouchable! STRIKERS: Matthew Amoah: I have very little to talk about him. He is a consistent goal scorer but recently going down the drain. He must pick himself up or this will be his last era in the team. Dominic Adiyiah: A lot of people have called for his head but for his World Under-20 goal–king. If Milo is to depend on his 4:2:3:1 formation then his inclusion will truly not be important and he must be shown the exit. What I mean is for him to be dropped! Asamoah Gyan: The last time he was heavily criticized he wanted to quit the Black Stars and he wept like a baby. When he scored two important goals in Angola he forgot to dedicate his goals to the Former President, His Excellency J.A. Kuffour for his precious time and advice in Ghana 2008. He rather went dancing like a baby and forgot about his dedication. Truly, He is a baby! Footballers have short memories that is why the Barcelona players behaved funny after being kicked out by Inter Milan in the Champions League Semi-final at the Nou Camp. Prince Tagoe: He always manages to create ripples in tough waters. The very least opportunity he gets he scores. Very few strikers can manage this and Prince must be in the team to cement his importance. Price Tagoe having the skill, constitution and luck will make him a hero in South Africa. I hope he scores to join the English League. Insha Allah! Well, I am done with my analysis and I know some may not be happy but I believe in plain truth. This is why I always tell people that the Former President His Excellency, JJ Rawlings and Jose Mourinho will always remain as my role models. Hate me or love me! I wish Ghana Black Stars well and I know that we shall take the world by storm and beat them all! Come on Black Stars!!!!!!!!!!!!! Source: Ghanasoccernet.com