Former Accra Hearts of Oak attacking-midfielder, Esme Papa Mends has tactically pointed out why West African teams especially Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak always find it difficult when playing against any North African team.
This follows the recent ignominious performance of the reigning champions of the Ghana Premier League, Accra Hearts of Oak in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup.
After failing to enter the group stage of the CAF Champions League, Hearts of Oak couldn’t hold on their good performance to make amends in the CAF Confederations Cup but were eliminated with another humiliating result.
Talking about this worthless and low performance of West African clubs against North African clubs ex-Phobia captain Esme Mends explained, “Over the years, we are not able to defeat them not because they are better than us, no. Checking in terms of flair and talent, I will say West African’s we have it but when it comes to overall tactical discipline in the game and mental toughness aspect of the game, they have it and the most often tend to do the basic things and the needful things in football. They are well organized team checking their infrastructures and pedigree in Africa’. He explained to Ghanasportspage.com.
“Is not like am missing my words but let’s take Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. They always struggle when playing against North African’s.
“Firstly, when you check our recruitment as champions I may ask how was it done, who backed them for that recruitment. Was it done to defend the league or compete in Africa.
“These guys can bring money into their league and into their club. Check the game they played against Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium, we should have beat them based on the chances we squandered and it was always going to be difficult for Hearts because the game that the opponent played technical they were better but we depends on our talent. We don’t have an identity no more as a nation but they still hold on their pattern.
WAC will play as the same as their national team, they don’t deviate from their system and they run on a model but Accra Hearts, Asante Kotoko any other team that represents Ghana in Africa plays anyhow. We were leading 2-0 from the first leg, we were not supposed to go and open up and try to score. They were supposed to score, that is the mental discipline and the psychological aspect of the game.
“One, how many goals we conceded, we know equalizing two goals is very easy but keeping the ball we were not able to do so and when we go to the North Africa that is the basic thing they use to beat us. Our ability to hold on the ball is zero but they have it and they have it with patient. We have the flair but they dribble when necessary, the don’t tend to dribble low. Technical they are better but in terms of real talent we have it but we are not applying the basic things that’s why we always struggle even with our national team now. Honestly, if we could meet Morocco, Algeria and all we will struggle.” Mends told Sir Martin, CEO of ghanasportspage.com.
Source: ghanasportspage.com
