One day I hope the laws of African street football (where most African players learn the game) will let it be known that only about 25% of football involves having the ball at your feet.
That most of the game is actually about around what teams and players do WITHOUT the ball.
That most of the game is actually about around what teams and players do WITHOUT the ball.
It's such an eyesore every single time to see the SAME depressing failings due to this lack of tactical knowledge.
Play them at Villareal or Ajax, and see them imbibe their team's tactical discipline.
But play them with each other and it's just full-on African street ball.
Play them at Villareal or Ajax, and see them imbibe their team's tactical discipline.
But play them with each other and it's just full-on African street ball.
At Arsenal, Thomas Partey knows exactly what to do when his team is in transition and he receives a fast ball in to feet. His 1-touch square pass to Xhaka or outball to Saka/Martinelli is top drawer.
Same situation with Ghana, baba will have like 4 touches and misplace his pass!
Same situation with Ghana, baba will have like 4 touches and misplace his pass!
And it's not his fault. The problem is that at Arsenal, Xhaka/Saka/Martinelli know exactly where on the pitch they need to be in every situation and he can trust them to be in position or make the run for his outball.
With Ghana, he just has 10 static men taking up space.
With Ghana, he just has 10 static men taking up space.
What made Nigeria's 1994-2000 team so devastating as described by Arrigo Sacchi, was their transition from defence to attack.
Everyone knew exactly where to go and what to do without the ball. On their day, nobody - including Brazil, Spain and Argentina - could live with them.
Everyone knew exactly where to go and what to do without the ball. On their day, nobody - including Brazil, Spain and Argentina - could live with them.
Without a clear frame-by-frame understanding of where to be and what to do without the ball in every attacking or defensive situation, you get African International Football - 10 men sitting behind the ball and occasionally winging it with a random counter attack.
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