Re-introduce samba soccer — Konongohene

The technical team of the Black Stars should  fuse samba soccer with Coach Sam Arday’s multi-system to make the national team much more formidable during international tournaments, the founder of Konongo-based division two side,Oweriman FC, Nana Batafo Acheampong Nti has suggested.

According to Nana Nti, the Black Stars had failed to win major trophies for more than three decades because they do not play to any set pattern as they used to do .

“Our players have now abandoned the possessive soccer and criss-cross short passes pattern style of play that always suited us and confused our opponents. Naturally Ghanaians are not tall , but very fast , so with the samba soccer, we were able to overpower our taller  opponents, “ Nana Nti explained during an interview with Graphic Sports.

Expressing concern about the new trend of kicking the ball anyhow into the air, Nana Nti, who is also the chief of Konongo said, kicking the ball high without any set pattern always suited our opponents, thus  denying the Black Stars. The opportunity to possess the ball and use it to their advantage.

“ Samba soccer made the Brazilian national team almost invincible, and in Africa, the Black Stars commanded great respect with that brand , but since   Brazil abandoned that style of play they have become just an ordinary side,  and for  the Black Stars, they have laboured to be recognised among the comity of great  soccer nations since 1982”, he lamented.

Nana Nti  said it was equally important for the technical team to invite players with good  form , winning mentality and commitment to the national cause into the team as Ghana prepares to participate in another contental tournament. 

“Some of the players invited into the team do not merit to wear the national colours. It seems some players are invited because they have affiliations with some top personnel in the country and it shows on the field”, he noted.