England - Ghana: March 29, 2011
READY TO SHINE AT WEMBLEY
Black Stars set for their England challenge INSIDE Player profiles Ghana’s World Cup pain and glory Arthur Wharton remembered England’s pride of young lions
8-PAGE SPECIAL
22 THE VOICE MARCH 24 - 30, 2011
England - Ghana: March 29, 2011 Capello should give youth a chance By Rodney Hinds
should hopefully prove it, are ENGLAND SUFFERED like England looking to give youth a almost no other nation during chance. Joe Hart, Jack Wilshere and last summer’s World Cup. Young represent Expectation was just too Ashley much for Fabio Capello’s squad. England’s future. Add the likes of Glen There was genuine hope that, at last, the Three Lions would truly Johnson, Darren Bent and roar at a tournament. Alas, they Jermain Defoe, who have sound club and internafailed once again to tioinal experience, deliver and now all and England do eyes turn to the have the nucleus of future. a squad that can On March 29 they make an impresface a Ghana side on sion. which there was little The old guard of if any expectation, John Terry, Steven and therein lies UNDER PRESSURE: Gerrard and Frank maybe the key to Capello Lampard still have England’s perennial a role to play but how much underachievement. Ghana’s success in South more do we need to know about Africa stemmed from their abil- them? Or is it a case that individuals ity to fuse established players with those that represent the want to do a Beckham and want to reach the coveted 100-cap next generation. Only now, and England’s line mark in order to boost the up against the Black Stars chance of marketing deals?
‘The manager needs to be bold in order to repeat 1966 success’
TAKE TWO: Wilshire and Walcott
youth a England need to be bold if they are to repeat their muchchronicled 1966 success in the World Cup. Blinkers have been put on by the game’s establishment since the Premier League became the best in the world. The best league has been to the detriment of the national side and only through affirmative action – giving talented
genuine chance – will things and, more importantly, results change. Ghana on the other hand nurture quietly with their talent going abroad to pick up vital experience and that has showed. The Black Stars had the football world gripped
as they took on socalled more recognised football nations and put them to the sword last year. That success has ensured that the fixture at Wembley was sold out in rapid time. Ghana, for so long in the wilderness, FUTURE: are now a Young
big draw. It is not everyday that an African country is invited to play at the home of football. Doubtless the visitors will look to beat their hosts. It would be a result to tell their respective grand-children about. The Ghanaians, with just Asamoah Gyan up front, will look to defend well and do what they did so well last summer, hit teams on the counter. They surprised many observers with their individual and collective discipline. They will need to repeat that at Wembley where the atmosphere generated by their very own fans will be fever pitch. There are just 10 places between England and their African foes in the FIFA world rankings with the teams listed sixth and 16th respectively. After what should be a pulsating and passionate 90 minutes I would expect the rankings to be a lot closer.
Did You Know? Both England and Ghana have a rich football history. Ben Lettman delves into the history books… LEGEND: Pele
* ABEDI AYEW, better known as Abedi Pele, is Ghana’s all-time top goalscorer with 33 international goals. Pele is the father of two current Black Stars Andre and Jordan Ayew. * Blackpool goalkeeper Richard Kingson is the most capped Ghanaian player with 84. The 32-year-old made his debut for Ghana in 1996. * Ghana have won the African Cup of Nations four times. Only Egypt with seven champio n s h i p wins have more. * Dubbed the Black Meteors, Ghana’s Olympic football team of 1992 claimed a bronze medal, becoming the first African side to do so in Olympic football. * Ghana’s under-20 side, nicknamed the Black Satellites, lifted the under-20 World Cup in 2009. They are the first African team to do so. * John Barnes previously
GOALS : Barnes
held the record goals tally for England by a black player with 11. Jermain Defoe now has 15. * The most capped black England footballer is Ashley Cole who has 87 caps. * Luther Blissett was the first black footballer to score a hat-trick for England. He achieved this feat against Luxembourg in 1982. * Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand’s £29 million transfer from Leeds to United in 2002 is still the highest price paid for an English defenderer. * Aged 17 years and 75 days, Theo Walcott, is the youngest Englishman to represent the Three Lions.
THE VOICE MARCH 24 - 30, 2011 23
England - Ghana: March 29, 2011 Ghana had the world at their feet As predicted by the Voice of Sport’s Ben Lettman, Ghana exceeded expectations at last year’s World Cup. Here he recalls how the African nation lit up last summer’s global showcase…
ONLY THE thickness of a crossbar and the hands of a villain to many [but a hero to some] were the difference between Ghana reaching the semi-finals. To explain why I picked Ghana to be the tournament’s surprise package, I first have to rewind your memory back to five years ago. At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Ghana, who were making their World Cup debut, were eliminated in the second round by an inspired Brazilian combination of Ronaldo and Adriano. But the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari impressed and gained priceless international experience at the highest level. This would keep them in good stead four years later. Additionally, in 2009 the Ghanaian Under-20 side, better
known as the Black Satellites, won the Under-20 World Cup, beating no less than Brazil in the final. Like many African sides and unlike England, Ghana have no qualms fielding youngsters as long as they are good enough. With this knowledge I knew it was inevitable that then Black Stars manager Milovan Rajevac would combine the experienced veterans of the 2006 campaign with the championship winning Satellite side and the rest as they say is history! As a lone striker Gyan caused havoc and his second round winning goal against the United States highlighted this while youngsters such as Andre Ayew, Anthony Annan and Jonathan Mensah brought a youthful exuberance to the team. In the most memorable game of South Africa 2010, Ghana
were 1-1 with Uruguay after extra-time at the quarter-final stage and Dominic Adiyah’s goal-bound header was intentionally handled on the line
TALENT: Ayew
b y L u i s Suarez who has now joined Liverpool.
Suarez was subsequently sent off and Gyan - if he had converted his penalty - would have sent the Black Stars through to the semi-finals – something that no African team has done before. However, the Sunderland striker’s shot smacked the crossbar and went over, to the dismay of an entire continent and beyond. Ghana subsequently lost the following penalty shoot-out 4-2 but gained global praise for their performances. The 2014 World Cup takes place in Brazil and, even though the likes of Essien, Muntari and Stephen Appiah will probably have retired by then, who’s to say that Ghana cannot reach the semi-final in three years time? My crystal ball, which has served me so well, tells me it’s highly possible...
BRIGHT SATELLITE: Annan was inspirational at the World Cup
24 THE VOICE MARCH 24 -30, 2011
England - Ghana: March 29, 2011 [Englaand squad] The Players Club By Ben Lettman
Goalkeepers:
BEN FOSTER (BIRMINGHAM) A man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal in last month’s League Cup final triumph reinforces Foster’s England credentials. ROBERT GREEN (WEST HAM) Has performed admirably for the Hammers this season but last year’s World Cup blunder still sits in the memory banks. JOE HART (MANCHESTER CITY) As long as the 23-year-old stays fit, Hart will be England’s first choice goalkeeper for years to come.
Defenders:
LEIGHTON BAINES (EVERTON)
A free-kick specialist, Baines is an exemplary crosser of the ball but is inexperienced at international level. GARY CAHILL (BOLTON) A throwback to the old fashioned English centre back, the 25-year-old has a keen eye for goal. ASHLEY COLE (CHELSEA) Still recognised by many as the best left-back in the world, Cole will likely start against the Black Stars. MICHAEL DAWSON (TOTTENHAM) With Rio Ferdinand still out injured Spurs captain Dawson is the likely option to partner Terry. PHIL JAGIELKA (EVERTON), Another contender to partner Terry, Jagielka’s versatility makes him a valuable asset to any squad.
EMMANUEL AGYEMANG-BADU (UDINESE)
Profiles on the men that will do battle… Fabio Capello has once again given Terry the captain’s armband and the Chelsea defender will lead his country at Wembley. KYLE WALKER (ASTON VILLA) Capped at under-21 level for the Three Lions, the 20year-old will be hoping to make his debut in front of 80,000 spectators.
Strikers: Bent
Midfielders:
GARETH BARRY (MANCHESTER CITY)
Perhaps fortunate to remain as a starter after an unimpressive World Cup, Barry is closing in on making a half-century of international appearances. STEWART DOWNING (ASTON VILLA), The naturally left footed Downing has yet to stamp his authority on international football and needs to perform to remain in the squad. MATT JARVIS (WOLVES), Jarvis’s trickery and final ball meant that it was virtually impossible for England boss Fabio Capello not to pick 24-year-old. FRANK LAMPARD (CHELSEA) Having missed the majority of the season through injury, it is no surprise that Chelsea have closed the gap to league leaders Manchester United thanks to Lampard’s re-emergence. AARON LENNON (TOTTENHAM),
GLEN JOHNSON (LIVERPOOL), An elegant attacker, Johnson has made the right-back position his own and England look frail when he is absent.
Due to the multitude of classy right wingers, Lennon has his work cut out if he wants to start.
JOLEON LESCOTT (MANCHESTER CITY), Although Lescott does not feature in every game for City, his ability to play at centre back and left-back means that he can provide cover.
JAMES MILNER (MANCHESTER CITY) City’s £28 million signing has played in a number of positions for both club and country but is not a guaranteed starter.
JOHN TERRY (CHELSEA, CAPTAIN),
SCOTT PARKER (WEST HAM) The combatitive midfielder has battled all season long to lift the Hammers above the relegation zone and his efforts have been rewarded with further international honours. ASHLEY YOUNG (ASTON VILLA) The skillful 25-year-old’s ability to play on either flank or just behind the striker gives Capello another useful attacking option.
Terry
JACK WILSHERE (ARSENAL)
Dubbed the saviour of English football, Wilshere has excelled for the Gunners this season and plays with an enthusiasm that has not been seen for England since the emergence of Wayne Rooney.
DARREN BENT (ASTON VILLA)
Although Bent was overlooked by Capello for last year’s World Cup, the 27-yearold has enjoyed his recent run of games for the Three Lions. ANDY CARROLL (LIVERPOOL) Since his £35 million transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool in January, injury has restricted the 22-year-old to a handful of appearances. PETER CROUCH (TOTTENHAM) Despite a stellar international record of 22 goals in 42 appearances, Crouch rarely starts for England.
experienced Ghanaian player. SAMUEL INKOOM (DNIPRO DNIPROPETROVSK) Inkoom plays his club football at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Ukraine and featured in two of Ghana’s five World Cup fixtures. DANIEL OPARE (STANDARD LIEGE) A product of Ajax’s illustrious football academy, the 20-year-old was a key apart of the Ghana squad that finished fourth at the under-17 World Cup in 2007. DAVID ADDY (ACADEMICA COIMBRA) Currently on loan from Porto to Academica Coimbra, the 21-year-old left-back was a part of the 2009 under-20 World Cup winning side. JOHN MENSAH (SUNDERLAND, CAPTAIN) The Sunderland centre back will lead the Black Stars against England.
Mensah
RICHARD KINGSON (BLACKPOOL) Ghana’s undisputed number one ‘keeper played in every minute of their 2010 World Cup campaign.
ISAAC VORSAH (HOFFENHEIM) The experienced Bundesliga competitor was in last year’s World Cup squad but only featured in two games. JONATHAN MENSAH (GRANADA) Despite his youth, the 20-year-old looked mature beyond his tender year at last year’s World Cup.
SAMMY ADJEI (HEARTS OF OAK) Kingson’s immediate understudy has almost 40 caps to his name.
LEE ADDY (RED STAR BELGRADE) Addy is another leftback who plys his trade in Serbia.
ERNEST SOWAH (BEREKUM CHELSEA) The 22year-old is Ghana’s third choice stopper.
Defenders:
JOHN PAINTSIL (FULHAM)
A veteran of English football of five years, the rightback is one of the most
KWADWO ASAMOAH (UDINESE) Recently linked to both Manchester City and Tottenham, Asamoah has been the main reason why Italian club Udinese have been playing scintillating football this season. SULLEY MUNTARI (SUNDERLAND) The much-traveled midfielder has both a Champions League winners medal with Inter Milan and a FA Cup winners medal with Portsmouth. DEREK BOATENG (GETAFE) The central midfielder rarely features for Ghana except for in big tournaments.
ANDRE AYEW (MARSEILLE) Ayew, who is a skillful left midfielder, is the son of legendary Ghanaian forward Abedi Pele.
WAYNE ROONEY (MANCHESTER UNITED) When on form the mercurial 25year-old is undoubtedly England’s best player. However, when Rooney does not perform, England also falter.
Goalkeepers:
BERNARD KUMORDZI (PANIONIOS) An ankle injury denied Kumordzi the opportunity to compete at last year’s World Cup in South Africa.
KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG (AC MILAN) The German-born 24 year-old is eligible to play for Ghana due to his Ghanaian father. Boateng was outstanding in South Africa last year.
JERMAIN DEFOE (TOTTENHAM) Although Defoe has been goal-shy by his high standards this season, he is still a lethal forward.
[ Ghana Squad ]
The 20-year-old is a national hero after scoring the winning penalty in the final of the under-20 World Cup against Brazil.
Midfielders: ANTHONY ANNAN (SCHALKE 04) Arguably Ghana’s best player at last year’s World Cup in South Africa, Annan’s skill and stamina is something to be admired.
OPOKU AGYEMANG (AL-AHLI) Opoku Agyemang was a part of the Ghanaian squad that were runnersup in last year’s African Cup of Nations.
Strikers: ASAMOAH GYAN (SUNDERLAND) Ghana’s leading talisman has been on form in England since his £13million move from Rennes to the Stadium of Light. PRINCE TAGOE (PARTIZAN BELGRADE) Used predominantly as a right midfielder, Tagoe featured in all three of Ghana’s World Cup group games but not in the knockout stages. DOMINIC ADIYIAH (PARTIZAN BELGRADE) It was Adiyiah’s shot which was hand-balled on the line in the 4-2 penalty shoot-out loss to Uruguay in the quarter-final stages of the World Cup.
Boateng
NATHANIEL ASAMOAH (ASANTE KOTOKO) Could be set to make his international debut for the Black Stars.
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26 THE VOICE MARCH 24 - 30, 2011
England - Ghana: March 29, 2011
Pioneer’s Legacy Legend Wharton to be honoured THE ACHIEVEMENTS of Arthur the Arthur Wharton Foundation Wharton, the world’s first black which will go towards the building of commemorative statue in professional footballer, will be a recognised with a pitch presenta- Darlington. Born in the Gold Coast [now tion featuring Brendon Batson, Ghana] in 1865, Arthur Cyrille Regis and Arthur’s oldest travelled to England as living relative and granda 17-year-old to train daughter, Sheila Leeson. as a missionary but, The trio will be joined after settling in pitchside by members of Darlington, he Football Unites, abandoned his Racism Divides and studies in favour the Arthur Wharton for a career in Foundation who, sport. working alongside Arthur became Sheila, have all the first black campaigned in creplayer to feature in ating a legacy around the Football League Arthur’s story and in the early 1890s sporting career. Last year saw the NEVER FORGOTTEN: Theo Walcott and excelled at athletics, cricket, boxFA announce a (left) and Kieran Gibbs with ing, cycling and £20,000 donation to Wharton’s maquette
WINNER: Wharton
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He died penniless and was buried rugby. He was a terrific sprinter – setting a world record of 10 seconds in an unmarked grave in Edlington for the 100 yards at the AAA Cemetery in south Yorkshire. But his Championships – yet his position in grave was given a headstone in 1997 after a campaign by Football Unites, football was as goalkeeper. He started with Darlington as an Racism Divides and six years later he amateur until Preston North End saw was inducted into the English Hall of his potential. But he left the Fame in recognition of the impact he Invincibles to concentrate on his made on the game. The pitchside presentation will also running and missed their Doublefeature an Arthur Wharton maquette winning season. He returned to football in 1889, and Sheila commented: “I’m signing for Rotherham Town as a absolutely over the moon to be professional. In two spells he made invited to the game as the guests of 34 League appearances in the Second the FA. “The legend of Arthur Wharton has Division. In between that time he switched caught so many people’s imagination throughout the world and I’m to Sheffield United, where he was immensely proud of the role I understudy to William ‘Fatty’ played in uncovering his hidFoulke, a great character who den story.” once played for England. The FA’s Alex Horne added: Arthur played for the Blades “We’re privileged to be in a against Sunderland in a First position to be able to Division fixture, making him recognise the contributhe first black player in toption Arthur Wharton flight football. He then saw made to the game out his career with and we must also Stockport County, making pay tribute to those six Second Division who have worked so appearances in the 1901tirelessly to recognise 02 season before retiring PROUD: Sheila Leeson Arthur’s legacy.” at the age of 36.
Leading the way in equality FUNKE AWODERU is the football-loving Equality Manager at the Football Association. Rodney Hinds caught up with her prior to the big match…
RH: What is your role at the FA? FA: I have responsibility for the implementation and delivery of the FA’s equality policy and objectives. My role involves working across key departments such as governance and regulation, public affairs, the national game team, HR, legal, marketing and communications and FA learning, who deliver the FA’s education programmes. We have many ambitious and exciting inclusion and anti-discrimination projects, working closely with the women’s committee and the advisory groups on race, disability, and homophobia. RH: What is a typical day for you? FA: First thing I do is catch up on emails, respond to email and phone queries and liaise with team members and colleagues. As part of the support to colleagues across the FA Group and our 50 County Football Associations, I regularly attend internal meetings and input to plans and strategies to embed inclusion, equality and diversity in our thinking and processes. RH: What is your earliest football memory? FA: I come from a large Nigerian family, five brothers and one sister. My older brothers are football mad and this rubbed off on the rest of the family. World Cup tournaments were very interesting, loud,
colourful, and full of individual commentaries of our favourite teams and players. My earliest football memory
“My older brothers are football mad”
MEMORIES: Funke Awoderu (right) with FARE’s Piara Powar
has to be the endless Saturdays of watching Grandstand with Frank Bough presenting and final score, which drove me mad! My dad lived for early Saturday evenings to review his football pools. I was always captivated by the announcer’s voice. I also remember the 1990 World Cup and the Cameroon football team, especially Roger Milla who not only entertained the whole world with his skills but united Africans, reaching the quarter finals. What an amazing achievement, which still remains the best overall positioning by an African nation.
RH: Do you have any favourite players or teams? FA: Chelsea FC. RH: How would you sum up Ghana's World Cup last year? FA: Interesting. Pulsating. A fantastic performance by the Ghanaians. They were unlucky not to be one of the last four nations contesting for the finals. RH: What does Ghana's success say about the advance of African football? FA: A lot! Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco are teams with talented players. The African Cup of Nations is a fantastic tournament. You only have to look at the viewing figures over the years to see its domestic and global following. RH: Do you participate or watch sport, if so what? FA: Yes I’m a keen football fan. I’ve run five marathons and a couple of half marathons; I follow tennis: Nadal, Murray, Clijsters and the Williams sisters and I’m also a keen squash player. RH: What would you say to other women looking to get into top level sports administration? FA: Don’t give up. If you allow yourself to believe there is a glass ceiling, there is only one way forward and that’s to smash it! It is really important to have belief and confidence in your ability and use this as a platform to take the necessary HERO: steps to reach Roger your goal. Milla
THE VOICE MARCH 24 - 30, 2011 27
England - Ghana: March 29, 2011
A pride of young England lions Players with the future in mind By Chris White
THE FUTURE for young English footballers seems bright. There is an array of talent at under-21 level and some of these stars have already featured in the England senior team. Here the Voice of Sport profiles some of the players we may well see wearing the national team colours in years to come...
THEO WALCOTT, 22, ARSENAL The lightening quick winger started off at Southampton and was transferred to Arsenal in January 2006 for an initial fee of £5 million. In his first season at Arsenal he made no appearances yet travelled with the World Cup squad to Germany. Since then the forward has featured both for the Gunners and for England, frightening defenders with his blinding speed.
KIERAN GIBBS, 21, ARSENAL Gibbs began his career at Wimbledon and soon went to Arsenal to become immersed in Arsene Wenger’s fluid style of play. The left-back has been plagued with injuries but remains odds-on favourite to replace Ashley Cole when he decides to retire from international duty. Like Cole, Gibbs has the stamina to support attacking play while still able to perform his defensive duties at the back.
CHRIS SMALLING, 21, MANCHESTER UNITED Smalling has made a rapid transition through the leagues. Just two years ago the then Maidstone United centre back was playing at non-league level. Since then he was scouted by Fulham and then transferred to Premier League giants Manchester United. He has been a regular for United and has the advantage of learning from the classy Rio Ferdinand. His future looks promising.
DANNY WELBECK, 20, SUNDERLAND Able to play as a lone striker or wide right, Welbeck is an exciting prospect for Manchester United and is showing his credentials whilst on loan at Sunderland, where he has been prolific. He is a product of the Red Devils’ youth academy and is sure to develop under the guidance of Steve Bruce and Sir Alex Ferguson. JAY EMMANUEL-THOMAS, 20, CARDIFF CITY At 6’ 3” EmmanuelThomas is known for his close touch and trickery. He’s a product of the renowned Arsenal academy and has featured in a handful of under-17 and under-19 England fixtures. On loan to Cardiff City, the forward
MICAH RICHARDS, 22, MANCHESTER CITY In 2006 Richards made history to become England’s youngest-ever defender when he debuted against the Netherlands aged 18. The Manchester City full-back has dropped off in form since then, but he still remains a strong contender to become an England regular, particularly with Gary Neville retired. Liverpool’s Glen Johnson is his main adversary for a starting berth.
is known for his versatility as he can play left-back, left midfield, central midfield and up front. JOHN BOSTOCK, 19, HULL CITY The attacking midfielder is known for his vision, skill and teamwork. Since debuting for Crystal Palace at 15 years 287 days old, he has been touted as the next big thing in English football. Bostock signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 and has since been on loan to Brentford and then Hull City to gain first team experience. NATHAN DELFOUNESO, 20, BURNLEY Delfounseo has led the line for Villa due to their injuryhit strikeforce. His pace and strength has also forced him into contention for a place in the under-21 national team. Although he is on loan to Burnely, if he can establish himself at Turf Moor then the opportunity is there for him to grow into a star player when he returns to the Premier League. EMMANUEL FRIMPONG, 19, ARSENAL Frimpong is another exciting talent to come through the Arsenal ranks. A seasonlong injury has kept him out of action in what could have been a mesmeric season, potentially establishing himself as a first-team regular. The defensive
VISION: Bostock
TRANSITION: Smalling
STYLISH: Frimpong
LOAN STAR: Welbeck
midfielder is an animal when it comes to breaking up opposition attacks yet stylish when retaining possession. Born in Ghana, Frimpong is capped for England at under-16 and under-17 level but may yet decide to play for his country of birth. MICHAEL MANCIENNE, 23, WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS Currently on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers
from Chelsea, Mancienne’s form has been crucial to Wolves’ Premier League survival hopes. He is a versatile defender and can play anywhere across the back and can also start in front of the defence. Mancienne has experience at all levels of England youth football but has yet to feature for the first team. Interesting footnote: You might have detected that in this list of talent of the future there is no goalkeeper! While that can be seen as a bad thing some see it as empowering, since the attributes of young black players will be wasted if put in goal. Some black players tend to be quicker and stronger from an early age, so from a young age most players tend to be centre forwards, and then later converted into other positions on the pitch. But the advance of black players over the years, surely means a black ‘keeper will emerge!
28 THE VOICE MARCH 24 - 30, 2011