Lome, the capital of Togo holds good and bad memories for me. Growing up in the nineties, it was quite popular to shop from Togo; you were assured of good bargains. Well, at least, so it was for me, until I had a not so pleasant experience at the Togolese border. Lome had since been a distant memory until midweek, September 10, when our beleaguered Black Stars played and beat the Hawks of Togo 3-2, on match day two of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers. That victory was more than 3 points; it marked the first win in as many competitive encounters since October 2013 when Ghana beat Egypt to qualify for the 2014 World Cup; it also revived Ghana’s qualification hopes after tumbling in Kumasi, where Uganda held the Stars to 1-1 draw a few days earlier. It also marked a bit of positive press amid the apathy from Ghanaians following the World Cup disgrace. The team must have heaved a big sigh of relief having secured 3 points and more. More, in terms of the output of three players, whose performance not only boosted their own future opportunities, but also plugged gaping holes within the team. These players were on the day, winners in their own right. Who are they? Think back to Ghana’s second goal, the three were involved in the construction and execution of the goal. I bet you have an idea now. You don’t? Well, here comes the first one out of the box?
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu
The forgotten man; well, nearly. Badu solidified his credentials after a powerful performance at the 2009 U-20 World Championship in Egypt where he scored the winning penalty in the final. He progressed by putting in one big performance after another for the Black Stars and though he missed the 2010 World Cup through injury, he had become a mainstay. Badu’s little success however seemed to have gotten the better of him as he became tactically indisciplined and his performances, especially for the national team went south. From a certain starter, he morphed into a certain bench warmer and down he went on the pecking order. Even newbies like Afriyie Acquah were building healthier reputations. Then Uganda came to town, run the Black Stars midfield amok and Coach Kwesi Appiah had a change of mind. In Appiah’s mind, Badu’s mobility and drive was required against Togo.
Badu got his second chance and he took it. In a central midfield position he chased, closed down and cut the space available to the Togolese, all the while ensuring the shape of the team wasn’t disrupted, choosing only to join the attack when the move was in tandem with that of the team. He was rewarded when he finished off an intricate move between Jordan Ayew and Baba Rahman with a snap header that left Kossi Agassa crawling. He celebrated his goal,
Ghana’s second, by thumping his chest while running to the bench, as if to remind all that, when he puts his mind and heart into it, he can boss the midfield and supply that odd goal.
Baba Abdul Rahman
Many have auditioned for the role but few have convinced in the left back position for the Black Stars. Yes it was “measly” Togo, not the high profiled opponent that could be used as a standard of measurement, but Baba Abdul Rahman did enough to be considered for future games. Baba’s output is not entirely surprising; he has displayed similar performances in the German Bundesliga with Augsburg. What is surprising is that he didn’t start the game against Uganda considering that between him and Jeffrey Schlupp, he was more familiar with the African terrain, especially Kumasi, having played for local side, Asante Kotoko, before his foreign sojourn. His senior debut had long been coming after impressing with the national U-20 team, the Satellites, at the 2013 World Youth Championship in Turkey. Baba would have been least concerned with these issues while clearing his lines and making quick runs into the Togolese half to deliver crosses, one of which resulted in Ghana’s second goal. He is no Isaac Asare or Philipp Lahm, but he possesses a decent set of skills to defend and attack satisfactorily. With the dearth in that position, decent should cut it, at least for now,
Jordan Ayew
Don’t let the sagging shorts; nonchalant look and general casual disposition fool you. Jordan was anything but casual on the field. Surprisingly picked ahead of regular Abdul Majeed Waris, Jordan led the line in a manner, a lead striker playing away from home, should. He held up play, drew his mates in and crucially, improved in that one area he falls short; decision making. Sure, there were a couple of occasions where his shooting left a lot to be desired, but other times when he had to lay or square a pass, he did, one of which, contributed to Ghana’s second goal. He routinely picked the ball to the left, made a quick turn, waited on Baba Rahman to get into position, before releasing Baba to cross for Badu’s goal. It was good to see Jordan making the effort to grow his game. While he is not a finished article, he showed signs of improvement which will do a world of good to his confidence, something he can use at new club Lorient after a jerky couple of seasons at Marseille, where he transferred from.
The above three, were by no means the best of the bunch from the game, but they were the players who per their output, boosted their chances for more Black Stars caps, while also filling vital gaps in the Stars game. That’s what makes them the biggest winners. Unlike me, these three dudes, a few years down the line, may look back on Togo, with happier memories.
