OTTO Addo’s Ghana exceeded expectations to beat a strong Nigeria squad on away goals in the World Cup play-offs to earn a spot in Qatar.
The Black Stars’ reward is the opportunity to get revenge on Uruguay, alongside facing Portugal’s talents and Heung-min Son’s South Korea in the group stage.
Another obstacle but overall positive for Ghana is the recent influx of dual nationals to the squad.
Improving the quality of players available for Addo to select, the new players lack experience and cohesion with the team and international football ahead of the World Cup.
The English-born duo of Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey and Bristol City’s Antoine Semenyo have joined the squad along with Club Brugge defender Denis Odoi.
Hamburg attacker Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer and Karlsruher centre-back Stephan Ambrosius were both Germany under-21 internationals prior to their recent Ghana call-ups.
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Southampton centre-back Mohammed Salisu has finally joined the Black Stars after years of declining call-ups to focus on his club career.
However, the most notable recent inclusion is Athletic Bilbao’s Iñaki Williams.
Despite being capped by the Spanish national team, Iñaki declared to play for Ghana at the World Cup, unlike his younger brother Nico, who selected Spain.
Predicted Starting XI
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Alongside the diversity and quantity of players, new and old, that Ghana have selected in recent months, Otto Addo’s inconsistent team shapes have made predicting a starting XI more challenging.
Addo has deployed the Black Stars in variations of a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 as well as five at the back.
Despite Lawrence Ati Zigi being the Ghanaian goalkeeper performing at the highest level, the St. Gallen No1 has been missing from recent national team squads.
As a result, Charlton Athletic’s Joe Wollacott appears to have beaten the more experienced Richard Ofori of Orlando Pirates to start between the sticks.
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At right-back, Addo has a new dilemma of choosing between 22-year-old Tariq Lamptey and 34-year-old Denis Odoi.
Despite their clubs’ abysmal start to the season, Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey and Strasbourg’s Alexander Djiku are expected to start at the heart of the Ghana defence.
Arsenal’s Thomas Partey is a crucial element to Ghana’s overall play with his ability in and out of possession. His experience will be vital to fulfil a more disciplined role next to Mohammed Kudus of Ajax.
The forward line may consist of two players looking to reach milestone achievements in Ghanaian football.
Jordan Ayew will be looking to surpass his legendary father Abedi Pele’s goal tally by scoring in Qatar.
Rennes’ Kamaldeen Sulemana has struggled to make an impression in his appearances for Ghana so far.
However, Sulemana’s frightening pace and unpredictable dribbling for opponents will make him a certain threat at the World Cup.
Recruit Iñaki Williams is the best striker option for the Black Stars.
He is developing into a multifaceted striker, capable of relentlessly gaining territory out of the box whilst always being dangerous inside the box.
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Attacking Phase
Ghana’s build-up from their goalkeeper is often short, but the receiver depends on the number of centre-backs.
With two centre-backs, the goalkeeper will split the centre-backs who will be positioned between the width of the six and eighteen-yard box.
The centre-backs will receive, with one full-back in a more advanced position and the other more reserved.
Between the sticks, Joe Wollacott has decent distribution over long distances and could help to find outlets like Iñaki Williams to relieve pressure.
Eupen’s Abdul Manaf Nurudeen is a weak and loopy kicker which is favourable for opponents.
The image above is an example of Ghana’s attacking shape against Brazil.
An example of this adaptive width can be seen above against the Central African Republic.
The image below shows Ghana with a narrow front four occupying spaces ahead of Yiadom, Kyereh, Addo and Mensah.
Overall, the Black Stars lack a consistent attacking identity from the build-up phase all the way through to the final third.
Defensive Phase
With their inconsistent setup under Otto Addo in recent international breaks, Ghana have defended in a 4-5-1 and a 5-1-2-1-1 shape with a diamond midfield.
The Black Stars will likely line up with four defenders and deploy the 4-5-1 structure.
The image below displays Ghana’s 4-5-1 shape against Brazil.
Their 4-5-1 is a mid-block with attacking midfielder André Ayew dropping in alongside Mohammed Kudus ahead of pivot player Thomas Partey.
As mentioned above, the 4-5-1 can allow the full-backs to jump and aggressively press the ball carrier.
In the example above against the Central African Republic, left-back Gideon Mensah has left the defensive line.
Typically, in these situations, the Black Stars’ ball-side winger and central midfielder will create a 3vs2 overload in the wide areas.
The image above displays the five at the back with a diamond midfield that Ghana deployed against Japan and in the second half against Brazil.
Transitions
In attacking transitions, the Black Stars are keen to progress the ball through dribbling it forward.
If the midfield area is congested, they will look to combine and find a forward pass to a teammate who can receive and drive forward in space.
When space is available after regaining possession, the ball carrier will drive forwards and dribble with supporting numbers and move ahead of the ball.
Upon entering the final third, Ghana will look to release the ball to a wide player before delivering a pass infield.
In the above example against Brazil, Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus has carried possession into the opposition’s half.
When defending transitions, Ghana will always look for at least one player to provide pressure to the ball carrier.
In central areas, a central midfielder will attempt to hound the opponent in possession. In wider areas, the full-back frequently jumps out to close down space the opponent attacker can receive in.
In the image below, Nicaragua created a triangle on the left with Ghana right-back Alidu Seidu getting drawn out of position to press the Nicaragua left-back.
Attackers
The experienced brothers of Jordan and André Ayew will be joined in the Ghana squad by youngster Kamaldeen Sulemana and Spanish recruit Iñaki Williams.
Sporting CP’s 18-year-old wonderkid Abdul Fatawu Issahaku is another option, as well as Cremonese centre-forward Felix Afena-Gyan.
Midfielders
Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus will be starters for Ghana at this World Cup as two standout stars.
Freiburg’s Daniel-Kofi Kyereh has started the season strongly after his summer transfer from FC St. Pauli.
Kyereh offers some more attacking quality from midfield, similarly to Kudus, and prefers to operate behind the striker.
Defenders
Southampton’s Mohammed Salisu, Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey and Strasbourg’s Alexander Djiku will be Otto Addo’s three main centre-back choices.
Amartey’s leadership is unrivalled in the Ghana defence and has developed a strong partnership with Djiku.
Salisu is the best centre-back, but his only recent decision to play for Ghana may have hindered his likelihood to start.
Key Player
Mohammed Kudus is a versatile left-footer playing his club football with Eredivisie reigning champions Ajax.
The talented midfielder has actually started the season as a centre-forward and is on fire, scoring nine goals already.
Alongside Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, Kudus has also displayed good passing range to access Ghana’s wide players.
Tournament Prediction
Facing a typically well-drilled South Korean side, an experienced yet vibrant Uruguayan team and a Portuguese squad littered with world-class talent, a group-stage exit is likely for Ghana.
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Portugal and Uruguay are likely to progress to the Round of 16, but depending on their luck they could try to qualify at the 2nd place eventually.
The performances of their key players including Partey will dictate whether that is possible or not.
For even more detailed analysis of all 32 teams in the FIFA World Cup 2022, download your copy of the November Total Football Analysis magazine here
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
