Veteran Ghanaian coach, Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong has called on the technical handlers of the Black Stars to consider starting Richard Attah as the goalkeeper for the tie against Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup play-off.
The goalkeeping department of the national team has become a topical issue following Jojo Wollacott’s unimpressive performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Cameroon.
With less than three weeks for the game to be staged, JE Sarpong believes Attah is the most in-form and agile Ghanaian goalie who is currently enjoying consistent football.
He added that the game will pose a huge threat to the Black Stars and that Attah will be able to withstand the pressure of playing against Ghana’s rivals.
“In goalkeeping, the trainer [Richard Kingson] should have pencilled just about five key goalkeepers for observation for the upcoming match but not as many as 15 goalkeepers that he said publicly that he was currently observing for a single match,” said Coach Sarpong during an interview with Graphic Sports.
He also disclosed that the technical team should strengthen other departments of the team to enable the Black Stars beat Nigeria and qualify for the World Cup.
Apart from goalkeeping, other departments that need to be strengthened to build a formidable team against Nigeria are the midfield and attack,” he said.
The Black Stars will host the Super Eagles of Nigeria on March 25 before playing the final leg on March 29 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Black Stars have met their Nigerian counterparts on 49 occasions, winning 21, drawing 18 and losing 10.
Meanwhile, Otto Addo is expected to submit his provisional squad for the tie to the Black Stars management on Thursday.
MG