A team under the management of Otto Addo has unveiled a 33-man roster for the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and the Central Africa Republic and a four-nation tournament in Japan. And on the quest of who’s likely to start or make progress from the bench, here is a fair idea of how coach Otto Addo will line up the Stars in the coming events.
Starting with the team guide, Joseph Wallacott is highly likely to retain his spot as evident in the World Cup qualifiers against the Super Eagles of Nigeria where he secured all threat chances to progress the stars into the World Cup. Richard Ofori who is favoured to be the second option out of the four goalkeepers will probably earn a start, however, Wallacott remains the first choice.
In four-man defence troops observed under Otto Addo in all of his coached games, Abdul-Rahman Baba and Denis Odoi are highly in contention for the fullbacks ahead of Gideon Mensah and Alidu Seidu. Joseph Aidoo will pair Daniel Amartey in the heart of the defence, while Abdul Mumin and Jonathan Mensah probably making their way from the bench.
In the midfield pack of six, Iddrisu Baba will be responsible for holding role, intercepting and progressing the ball forward. In the absence of Thomas Partey, Mubarak Wakaso will step in due to his creativity, long passes and ability to switch roles from the defensive midfield to the third half and making of long-distance shots.
Daniel Kofi-Keyereh will play in between the sticks of Baba and Wakaso while Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo on the flanks. Kofi-Keyereh’s eye for goal and prowess in the attack is magnificent which got him 21-goals as an attacking midfielder this season with St. Pauli. Kudus and Semenyo will operate from the wings swindling in passes to the main striker and as dynamic false 9 in the process. Semenyo is a very attacker and a team player who can score and assist. The 22-year-old has 8 registered goals and 12 assists this season in the English Championship with Bristol City.
And Daniel Afriyie Banie has the lead striker. Per statistics in goals, this season as the place of every striker, the Heart of Oak forward needs to be in the conversation as he has 8 registered goals more than Jordan Ayew, and Felix Afena-Gyan respectively. And also on the lookout to sell his crafts on the international market, the 20-year-old is likely to be in contention.
What are your thoughts on this lineup?.
