Grant can make all the difference!

Tomorrow will mark another stage in the group qualifying games at the AFCON, when Ghana’s Black Stars do battle against their West African neighbours, Mali, in the first Group D match of the day, while Egypt and Uganda clash in the second.

As both matches will likely define which two teams proceed to the quarter-finals even ahead of the last games in the group, it is in our interest as Ghanaians to wish the Black Stars all the best to triumph tomorrow.

As we pointed out in this column the last time, the debate over bonuses to the Stars, which has been full of sound and fury, must be relegated to the background now to keep the team’s focus at the tournament.

It is interesting to observe that as the tournament progresses, the traditional giants in the African game are setting themselves apart in their respective groups.

And it is why Ghana’s match against Mali is expected to re-emphasise the tradition at the end of it all in spite of the fight the Malian Eagles are certain to put up.

The challenge facing the Black Stars in the upcoming match has been well chronicled, with the absence of the injured Baba Rahman a troubling concern for many Ghanaians.

Doubtless, Rahman’s absence leaves the left side of the Stars’ defence gaping, unless the unconvincing forward-turned-defender Frank Acheampong brings on a style different from what we saw of him as a substitute last Tuesday.

If we were to deputise for Avram Grant as the Stars coach for tomorrow, we would prefer Harrison Afful to Acheampong at the left of defence and introduce Andy Yiadom at the right full back, where Afful has been traditionally accustomed.

Indeed, in our view, it is better to risk an out-and-out lateral defender, such as Afful, on either side of defence, than sticking an unwilling forward in that role.

After all, what was the essence in carrying Yiadom to the tournament ahead of Jeffrey Schlupp if Avram knew the young lad could not be relied on at the tourney?

For us, if the Malians have any impact to make tomorrow will all depend on how easy or floppy the Ghanaian defence handles their attackers, as we are frightened stiff by the torrid experience the Stars went through in the second half last Tuesday.

We are not unaware of suggestions by other commentators that the Stars midfield also needs some re-engineering following the virtual collapse of that department in the last game.

It was not as though Mubarak Wakaso and new sensation, Thomas Partey, were not capable, but the observation that Wakaso could be a tired limb must be worth a critical look.

Thus, we are wont to go along with the suggestion by some that on a suspected bad day for Wakaso, the versatility of young defensive midfielder, Daniel Amartey, could be employed as the conveyer belt between the attack and the defence.

Such an improvisation, it is expected, will mean bringing on Jonathan Mensah to partner John Boye in the centre of defence, in the hope that the rhythm for the Stars orchestra will be at high octave for the Stars to deliver.

Misgivings have also been expressed about the mickey-mouse performance that the otherwise experienced Jordan Ayew continues to produce in the Stars outfit as an arrow-head.

Perhaps, it is time Coach Grant reshuffled his card, even if momentarily, to re-awaken his trusted forward, by introducing latent talent, Bernard Terkpertey, or the redoubtable Ebenezer Assifuah.

All that we are saying is that the Stars cannot lack in the material or the quailty to turn out a winsome performance no matter theopposition at this tournament. Fiat!