Ashantigold coach Ricardo Da Rocha faces a selection dilemma ahead of his side’s game against Morrocan side RS Berkane on Saturday afternoon.
The likely return of Eric Osei Agyemang and Mark Agyakum for the CAF Confederation Cup game against the Moroccan side means Ricardo Da Rocha will have his full squad on Sunday for the first time since taking over the Job.
It looks like the Brazilian has settled on a traditional 4-3-3 with a holding midfielder anchoring two more attacking minded players.
Appiah McCarthy got injured prior to the first competitive game of Ricardo Da Rocha, his injury forced the coach to go with James Akaminko, Latif Anabila and Marcos Silver.
Akaminko is deployed at the base of the midfield up to this point, with Latif Anabila and Marcos the two players slightly further forward tasked with linking midfield to attack.
Whilst Amos Addai is deployed on the right side of the attack, Mark Agyakum plays on the left with Shafiwu Mumuni as the main striker.
The coach maintained the same line up in the second leg at Obuasi where Ashantigold won by 3-0.
Mark Agyakum missed the B K Edusei Cup due to injury paving way for Appiah McCarthy to get his first start of the season.
Marco Silver was then pushed on the left side of the attack to partner Amos Addai and Shafiu Mumuni upfront with James Akaminko, Latif Anabila, Appiah McCarthy anchoring the midfield.
With Mark Agyakum in line to return for the game against Berkane, Da Rocha will be force to drop one of his three midfieders for the game.
Mark Agyakum has established himself as one of the most important players in the squad since he broke out into the starting line up a year ago.
Leaving him out of the game looks impossible.
Brazilian Marcos Silver has shown he has the ability to play in midfield.
This will give Silver the license to pick the ball deeper and run at the heart of the oppositions’ defence before picking out a pass or cracking off one of his trademark long shots.
Amos Addai has forced his way to the starting line up after struggling to make it during Kjetil Zachariassen’s reign.
The winger is currently playing too well to be dropped. He is the only creative player in the team now.
Another perspective is how Da Rocha’s selection in midfield also affects his forward option.
If Da Rocha is to drop Appiah McCarthy, he could use Marcos Silver deeper as the left sided central midfielder instead of on the left wing where he played against Kotoko in the B K Edusei Cup currently.
The conundrum and the solution.
Option One (4-3-3) without Mc Carthy
Da Rocha used this line up in both legs against Akonangui FC
This trio featured in both legs against Akonangui FC.
James Akaminko, Latif Anabila, Marcos Silva in midfield.
Should Mark Agyakum start on Sarturday against the Morrocans, then the Brazilian trainer would be compelled to relegate his compatriot Marco Silver to the bench, or maintain the same team that started in both legs against Akonangui FC, meaning McCarthy would have to settle for a place at the bench.
Option 2
4-3-3 with (Appiah Mc Carthy )
The team that started against Asante Kotoko
James Akaminko, Latif Anabila, Appiah McCarthy in midfield.
The trio started and played very well against Asante Kotoko in the B K Edusei Cup. Selecting them was easier due to the fact that Mark Agyakum was injured in the game.
With Shafiwu Mumuni being a sure starter upfront, one of either Mark Agyakum, Marcos Silva and Amos Addai will have to be dropped for the game.
Shafiwu Mumuni, Amos Addai and Marcos Silver have started every game since the Brazilian coach took over the mantle at the club.
It will be very interesting to see how the coach will switch his tactics on Saturday.
Option Three.
4-2-3-1 ( Using Amos Nkrumah’s pace on the right).
Drop Amos Addai and Marcos Silver and opt for Amos Nkrumah and Mc Carthy
Another option the Brazilian can use is to start Amos Nkrumah on the right to use his blistering pace to cause havoc on the wings.
James Akaminko and Latif Anabila as the two holding with Mark Agyakum on the left, McCarthy in the middle and Amos Nkrumah in the right and Shafiwu Mumuni as the main man upfront.
Whatever the case, the game against RS Berkane will give a fair idea of the Brazilian’s best eleven.
The likes of Emmanuel Owusu, David Abagna Sanda, Emmanuel Osei Baffour, Benjamin Eshun are still knocking the doors of the coach should an opportunity avail itself.
