Accomplished sports journalist, Saddick Adams has brought out his preferred eleven players to start in the opening big game against Portugal in the World Cup, Qatar. The final 26-man squad for the Black Stars include players who can fit any formation but Mr. Adams insists Otto Addo should stick to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Inaki Williams on top.
The winner of the GJA sports journalist awards in 2018 said in an interview with Paul Adom Otchere on Good Evening Ghana Official that Otto Addo should be bold to start Ati-Zigi in post, play Gideon Mensah and Tariq Lamptey on the left and right full backs respectively and maintain Djiku and Amartey as defensive center pair.
Saddick Adams prefers Ati-Zigi ahead of the other two young keepers because he believes “he (Ati Zigi) appears to have some command…he knows the defenders much more g to an the other goalkeepers know them”
On Danlad, he said he would want him to be at the back and learn the ropes a bit more. Throwing Danlad against Portugal means throwing him in a fray.
“In terms of exposure, I would want him (Danlad)to learn the rolls but more. He started from the under 17 to the Black Meteors…he appears to to be the only player who has gone through all the ranks, the levels; under 17, under 20, under 23 and to the local team, the CHAN team and now getting his shot at the black stars.” –Sadick Adams said.
He added, he does not recommend and subscribe to 3-back formation which could feature the trio Salisu, Djiku and Amartey. He knows the system requires some kind of consistency to be effective. Salisu is not his preferred pick for defense but will go for an established pair. “playing against Portugal, I would like to go with an established team.”
The seasoned journalist went for Gideon Mensah ahead of Baba Rahaman for the left back roll because he believes the former “seems to be in sync with the center backs and that helps more”
He selected Thomas Partey and Salis Samed to marshal as double pivot in the middle. To him, Andre Ayew, Kudus Mohammed and Jordan Ayew are the right three attacking force to be behind Inaki Williams. Some Ghanaians have doubts on the quality of the Ayew brothers but Saddick said Andre Ayew has consistently been a big game player for Ghana and brother Jordan has been putting up a lot of work on the field of play, both at club and international levels.
