That the news is a telling blow is a given. The question is this: how would it affect our play?
Saw it coming
Many comments in the info-sphere in the past few hours show that a great many people were mentally prepared of this, given Michael’s own recent comments. In April, he told the Chelsea website that:
“If I make it for the World Cup then great – if not I have my whole career ahead of me. The last thing I want is to rush back and cause more problems down the line.”
A sound argument, but when he said that, many started feeling that the guy knew he wasn’t in good shape. Essien, as we know him, is a combative guy who does not go down unless he really is hurt. This is such a case.
The debate has been mostly about how unfortunate the whole thing is and crucially, how this would affect Ghana. Would we look back and say Essien’s absence cost us dearly?
Before we go on, take this quick poll:
So who replaces him?
Who in the Ghanaian team can bring what Essien brings to the side? In my opinion, nobody. His box-to-box effectiveness and his careful, accurate, passing as well as his multi-positional play and penchant to move forward and be an auxiliary striker are…well….priceless. I’m sure you agree.
Now, let’s look at the options.
Kwadwo Asamoah
I think the 21-year old Udinese dynamo is Essien-lite, but that’s all he is, Essien-lite. Yes, his passing ability is arguably better than Michael’s but he remains a very attacking minded midfielder. I’m yet to see anyone play Kwadwo as a utility player. That said, I feel he is the nearest to an Essien replacement in the Ghana setup.
Derek Boateng
Talented? Yes. Versatile? Yes. Essien’s kind of versatile? Nope. Derek is a good player whose form this past season with Getafe has been blistering, but he is miles away from being Michael. Derek is a good distributor of the ball and like Essien, can hold on to play if need be. But when it comes to strength and bull-like play, you have the wrong guy.
Bernard Yao Kumordzi
Think Nwankwo Kanu of Nigeria of Patrick Vieira of France. Perfect clone. A midfielder based in Greece with Panionios. The 25-year-old has also represented Norrkoping in Sweden and Egaleo in Greece having started his career in Ghana.
His tall and languid (not tall and lazy as some say) nature endears him to some brand of coaches, but he cannot replace Essien. Simple as that. A littel more about him: Bernard made his international debut for the Black Stars against Brazil in March 2007 and scored his first goal against Iran soon afterwards.
So what do we do?
Essien’s exclusion is now known, but we do not know if he may be taken in a Beckham-esque capacity to motivate the team. That would be a waste of space, because Essien is a very shy man, in terms of telling colleagues what to do and dictating play. He is not the Appiah kinda leader, sorry.
If Essien is dropped altogether, then it means that an extra seat on the plane needs to be filled. The bottom line is this we have to move on. And the coach knows it.
“There are other young and hungry players who will be equally passionate to play.”
The next few days would be very interesting. Who would/should Milovan put in Essien’s stead and how would it affect the team? Or are we even overblowing the issue?
Not seeing him play at Spartak Moskow, I really did not know how to react to the shouts from some pals that Quincy Owusu-Abeyie should by all means be added to the team that played in Angola.
However, his performance yesterday for Pompey vs Southampton after he came on as a sub was enough to tweak my radar a bit. I am not joining the calls for his hasty inclusion just yet, but if he continues to play like this, ignoring him could be heretical.
This was a derby game and we know how those go around the world: loud, wild, passionate affairs. Pompey were on the back foot as they badly needed the win against Southampon. Sometime in the second half, Quincy was introduced by Avram Grant. Then, he does this:
So, it's 1-0 but it does not last as the goal is equalised. Suddenly, in the 75th minute, Quincy gets the ball in his part of the field, speeds (which is his trademark, mind you) into the opposition area, gives an unbelievable pass that beats two Southampton defenders, the ball falls to Aruna Dindane who finishes off nicely. 2-1. Here it is:
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Ten minutes later, he delivers the icing on the cake by setting up the final goal by Jamie O'Hara 85th minute. Portsmouth have thus advanced to the quarter-finals after the thrilling clash on Saturday. Here's the last assist:
But where would he play?
If the current Black Stars squad is fully fit, I would automatically say Quincy should play in place of Haminu Draman, who has been given a lot of chances but has not grabbed with both hands. Quincy's speed alone may rival Draman's but more importantly his finishing has definitely improved while Draman's, as at the end of Angola 2010, was a freaking disaster that drove people up the walls.
Dropped for attitude issues, like Muntari?
So, should Quincy be considered or not? Some point to attitude problems. Unfortunately, it appears the talented guy may yet still have that fiery streak in him.
He was transferred to Russian club Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee in 2006 but he joined Spanish side Celta de Vigo on loan for the 2007–08 season and in the last window he joined Birmingham City on loan. However his attitude problems continued to persist.
In September 2008, he got on the wrong end of his Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish after his bad reaction to his substitution in a league game against Doncaster. The Black Stars man, who had won praise from McLeish in the past for his early performances went straight to the dressing room after he was substituted 39 minutes into the game.
McLeish said later: "I explained to him that you don't go to the dressing room, you support the team from the dug-out when you come off. I don't want to take a gifted player and say he has to defend for us but Wayne Rooney does it and the top players in the England team did it in the week. It is part of the modern game at the top level. We certainly give the players the fitness to do it, it is just the understanding he needs."
Although Quincy was apologetic to McLeish and his team mates his attitude problems emerged again when he was (later that year) called up to play for Ghana. The national coach, Milovan Rajevac, warned Quincy that he faced a long spell on the sidelines if he did not improve his attitude towards the national team.
Milo then excluded Quincy from the 22-man squad for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in Sekondi. Why? Then 21-years at the time, Quincy was released by Birmingham well ahead of the previous month's qualifier against Libya, failed to join his colleagues in the national team until the last minute.
He claimed that he missed two scheduled flights to Tripoli for the game!
Rajevac said: "Quincy has not been dropped from the Black Stars forever but he must think about why he has been dropped as guidance for the future. Players must show that they are ready to die for the national team and his attitude before the Libya game was not good enough. He plays in United Kingdom along with Essien, Laryea Kingston and John Paintsil and they all managed to arrive in time but he opted to tell stories.”
So, I ask again, should he or shouldn't he be brought back into the fold, or is it past and we should forget it?
PS: He was released from Ajax (where he had been for nine years) at 16 years, because of...you guessed it..."attitude problems." Or maybe, just maybe, we're jumping the gun and overreacting.
In 14 meetings against Benin, Ghana had won 8, drawn 5 and lost once. This stats stood until the last seconds of yesterday's game in Cotonou.
A good many people are saying the match was 'democratised'. How and why would they not say that when their team had neither lost a game nor conceded a goal in these qualifiers?
But I should say the implosion of the Black Stars was always coming - moreso in the second half. The guys just went to sleep and Benin just kept on piling the heat. Anyway Ghana have already made it to RSA so why worry? Right?
Wrong. Because we all know what football is like. Laters.
Yesterday, the Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac became the second man from that country -in succession- to take Ghana to the World Cup.
And he did it with his team of Black Stars at the Ohene Djan Stadium. the atmosphere was nothing short of electric and the boys cruised to victory with a minimum of fuss.
Work done. 2010 is at the corner. Yawn.
Yet I had the distinct feeling that the mood in the country was one of simple joy not wild ecstasy like it was the first time Ghana qualified for Germany. Well, maybe the people here are getting used to being World Cuppers. Sheesh.
Well done to the Black Stars and with that they become the 8th country (overall) to get tickets to SA and the first in Africa.
We can't wait!
Used: Richard Kingson; John Paintsil, Harrison Afful, Eric Addo, John Mensah; Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom, Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah/Laryea Kingston, Sulley Muntari/Haminu Draman; Matthew Amoah/Asamoah Gyan
Substitutes not used: William Amamoo, Opoku Agyemang, Isaac Vorsah, and Derek Boateng.
Milovan Rajevac has almost got the Ghana national team to the World cup and the cup of Nations. Indeed he has done so in a pretty neat way with a 100% record. The other day Ghana played Zambia I remarked to a taxi driver that we had gotten used to seeing the stars win. And we felt a warm glow of pride about that...
Now the team is on its final lap to 2010 and Milo has named a 20 man team for Sudan it has the usual suspects, really.
The only surprise in the squad is that Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese) has been benched because of his injury. The other news is that after almost 1 year out, Laryea is back. That hamstring really gave him the shakes.
Another man who is back is Asamoah Gyan, who's been having a good time so far in Rennes with no injuries.
Well then so Milo has a strong team and would be expected to do the double over the Crocs on the 6th of September.
Can't wait!
If Ghana wins, we might as well start taking out the champagne flutes...
When Stephen Appiah made his not-so-triumphant re-entry into the Black Stars last Wednesday, many thought it was the first time a sports star has sought to woo back fans – and the record books.
Not so.
A quick look at history shows that there have been several others before the Tornado.
His was just the latest in a series of comebacks of former champions and icons who found the temptation for further glory too good to resist. These are some of the former greats who have had another crack at more success with varied results.
Lance Armstrong
The combative seven-time Tour de France champion couldn't resist another tilt at the greatest cycling race in the world and duly announced his return to the sport last year at the age of 37. He defied the skeptics to produce a typically aggressive and competitive ride in this year's edition and finished a highly commendable third behind his Astana team-mate Alberto Contador.
The Texan and the Spaniard then exchanged less than complimentary words with Armstrong acidly remarking 'there is no I in team'. That duel reminded me of Sulley Muntari’s mum.
Next year's race promises to be an even greater spectacle as Armstrong has decamped to the Radioshack team run by his mentor and close friend Johan Bruyneel.
Alain Prost
After Prost was left without a drive following Ferrari's decision to release the Frenchman for the 1992 season, he returned to the circuit one year later at the wheel of a Williams-Renault. He then went on to lift a fourth drivers championship before leaving the track for good.
Michael Jordan
After a brief and modest spell in baseball's minor leagues, "Air Jordan" came back to the basketball court following a 17-month spell away from the game between 1993 and 1995. The man many regard as the greatest ever to play the game led his former club, the Chicago Bulls to three more NBA titles.
Muhammad Ali
The man simply known as "The Greatest" retired from the ring after regaining his world title from Leon Spinks on September 15, 1978. After two years on the sidelines, he re-laced his gloves at the age of 39 but was badly beaten by world champion Larry Holmes who stopped Ali in the 11th round in October 1981.
George Foreman
Olympic champion in 1968 at the age of 19 in Mexico City, Foreman went on to become world champion five years later when he defeated Joe Frazier. The future preacher went on to lose his belt to arch rival Mohammed Ali one year later in the legendary 'Rumble in the Jungle' in what was then Zaire - now the Democratic Republic of Congo - but after some 12 years out of the fight game, he stunned the world of boxing when he floored Michael Moore in 1994 at the age of 45. One of the hardest punchers in the game, he remains the oldest ever boxing world champion.
Pele
The brilliant Brazilian quit the game of football in 1974 after a glorious career at Santos and the rare achievement of lifting three World Cups with the South American giants. Six months later, he was coaxed out of retirement by the New York Cosmos and won the now defunct North American title alongside such fellow greats as Franz Beckenbauer.
Dara Torres
The champion of coming out of retirement, Torres quit twice only to return to the pool for the Beijing Games in 2008 at the age of 41. The American proved to the world, she was still a force to be reckoned with by winning three silvers in the 50m free, 4x100m free and 4x100m medley to take her career tally to 12 Olympic medals.
Torres also took part at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Games before returning to the starting blocks at Sydney 2000 and winning five medals. Following the Australian Olympiad she continued her education, gave birth to a baby girl Tessa, in 2006, before announcing her second return to competition a few months later.
Lester Piggott
The greatest jockey of his generation, who won nine Epsom Derbys among many other major races, and was champion jockey 11 times. Retired in 1985 to take up training but was jailed in 1987 for three years for tax evasion only to return to the saddle on his release aged 55 and showed the 'long fellow's' talents remained as he guided Royal Academy to the Breeders Cup Mile for his old retainer Dr Vincent O'Brien and added another classic through Rodrigo de Triano in the 1992 English 2000 Guineas before retiring for a final time in 1994.
Katarina Witt
The East German pin-up girl won it all in a glittering career that featured two Olympic golds, four world titles and six European crowns. She quit the ice as a competitive skater in 1988 at just 23 but returned six years later for the 1994 Games at Lillehammer.
Despite high expectations, she could only manage seventh place. Turned her hand at an eyecatching nude photo display in Playboy in December 1998 - the then second most sold out issue since Marilyn Monroe appeared in their first ever edition. However it was also revealed that she had co-operated fully with the notorious East German secret police the Stasi.
Jayne Torvill - Christopher Dean.
The mythical British ice dancing pair captured the world's attention with their sublime interpretation to Ravel's Bolero in 1984 which gave them gold and world glory. Ten years later, they teamed up again to compete at the Lillehammer Games at the age of 35 and 36 respectively. Despite only winning bronze, they remain etched in figure skating folklore while Dean went on to become a brilliant choreographer.
Bjorn Borg
Stunned the sporting world when he retired at just 25 after hitting the peaks of tennis. Borg won six French Open titles and five Wimbledon crowns before hanging up his Donnay racquet for the first time. Made a doomed comeback in the early 90's when he tried the absurd idea of continuing with a wooden racquet. He never won another match in 10 miserable tournaments.
Martina Navratilova
The Czech-born American quit the courts in 1994 at the age of 38 after winning 18 individual Grand Slam titles. She remained out of the game for six years before making a successful return in the doubles game. Navratilova won three more Grand Slam titles, including the mixed doubles at Australia and Wimbledon in 2003 with India's Leander Paes and the US Open in 2006 with Bob Bryan, just weeks ahead of her 50th birthday.
Martina Hingis
Cursed by injuries, the temperamental 'Swiss Miss' was forced into early retirement at just 23 in 2003. Three years later the former world number one was back and played two seasons winning three individual tournaments and the Australian Open mixed crown, alongside India's Mahesh Bhupathi. Her comeback was brought to a premature end when she tested positive for cocaine in 2007 during Wimbledon.
So you see, the Tornado is very much a part of this list. What remains to be seen is if he can make what would be one of the best returns to form we’ve seen in years.
In the interim, we are looking forward to the cranking of Europe's top leagues with the horde of Africans therein...
Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg say Nigerian attacker Obafemi Martins is likely to make his debut this week. The 24-year-old, who recently arrived from Newcastle United, has yet to make his official debut for the club after missing out on their League opener against Stuttgart.
“He isn’t 100% match-fit yet, but he’s ready to enter the pitch whenever needed. He’ll possibly make his debut in Saturday’s match against Koeln,” said Veh.
Martins himself told the press that he’s keen to make his official debut and that he will do his utmost to find the net regularly.
“I know that Edin Dzeko and Grafite are excellent strikers. However, we will all get the chance to prove our worth. I will do my utmost to score as many goals as possible this season.”
I reported a couple days ago that Derek Boateng was moving on. A high quality midfielder, he possess sound defensive abilities but has exhibited a flair for the attacking end.
The clamour from his former team FC Koln for him to stay is in full swing. Koln coach Christoph Daum was particularly pleased with his disciplined team play, good leadership qualities and that he is rarely culpable for defending errors.
And it is not at all new.
AIK
When he left his Swedish team AIK Fotboll, the country's TV4 Sport channel made this video of him to recap his time there.
For those who follow him, they might remember how he fell on the ground crying when his team AIK was relegated for only the third time since they were formed in 1896.
And it is amazing how Ghanaian players hold on to God in all interviews no matter where they are in the globe as Derek showed in the interview.
Beitar
Here is another cult video of him after he left Beitar. I couldn't stop laughing at his stunts.
Some players make travelling look like the reason people play soccer. One of such is Derek Boateng. The Black Stars man would be playing in next season's La Liga.
The 26 year old has now been plying his trade in 5 countries since leaving Ghana: Greece, Sweden, Israel and Germany.
How I envy him! To play in the league that has C. Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema and Ibra should be pretty cool, I'd say. And maybe, Xavi Alonso too!
Derek moved from the German team Cologne and he is expected to be on a 4-year deal for Getafe.
Boateng thus makes a quick switch after just six months in Germany having joined Cologne from Beitar Jerusalem in January this year.
Another traveller is Ghana international midfielder Ahmed Barusso has joined Italian Serie B side Brescia on loan. The 24-year-old signed the season-long deal from Serie A club Roma with a view to a permanent transfer.
Roma signed Barusso from Rimini in June 2007 after the midfielder excelled for the Serie B side in the 2006/2007 season. Sadly, he couldn't settle well with the club, spending most of last season on a at Siena loan.
The midfielder has struggled with breaking into the first team of Roma and went out on loan to Turkish side Galatasary in his first season at the club.
Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston is set to be named as the captain of Scottish club Hearts after just two seasons at the club.
Hearts coach Csaba Laszlo has narrowed down his choice for club captain to three players and has surprisingly included the much-liked Ghanaian, who is only in his third season at the club.
The Tynecastle side came from behind to defeat German outfit 2-1 Goslar in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday.
Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart led the team out for the match, but Laszlo said Laryea Kingston and Marius Zaliukas were also in the frame.
“It is important to have a captain that is close to the club and the fans,”Laszlo told the Hearts website.
It is believed that Stewart is the front-runner for the captain’s armband and Laszlo said that him being Scottish would be an advantage as he seeks to replace Robbie Neilson, who left for Leicester in May.
“Mike’s attitude in the last games was fantastic,”said Laszlo.“He took responsibility and he is a Scottish guy.”
However, Ghanaian midfielder Laryea Kingston and Lithuanian defender Zaliukas are also being given the chance to impress in Germany.
“Laryea Kingston also has experience but has been injured,”said Laszlo.
“Now he can come back and give us our confidence.
Kingston is being considered because he is a very popular player in the Hearts dressing room and among the club's fans for his performance and humility.
Few Ghanaian players have been named captains of their European clubs.
Panionios FC, the Greek team, are believed to be in the lead for the signature of Ghana international striker Junior Agogo. I’m told that he has also interested several other clubs in Europe.
Yet despite these other offers, it looks like Agogo would rather opt for the Greeks, where Bernard Yao Kumordzi also plays. Don’t forget that Zamalek’s new chairman, Mamdouh Abass, would want Agogo back despite all the well-catalogued issues he had.
However the feeling on the streets of Ghana is the hugely troubled young man should not go back to Zamalek.
Newly promoted French club Lens, German club Maniz 05 and Turkish giants Besiktas are reported to be in the chase for the big striker. But it seems Panionios are in the lead to fulfill all monetary obligations for Junior to move soon.
In all this, Zamalek may be patiently waiting to frustrate the burly striker over the the rights of the player. On the issue of unpaid wages, the world football governing body is expected to rule later this month.
