Cup Conundrums: Canada's Quest and Ghana's Game

Welcome back to another episode of PSP. There's football in all corners of the globe. We're starting to see things shake out in the World Cup qualifiers, Argentina, Iran, Japan, and New Zealand. Will all be going to United World Cup, hosted by the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. There are still a number of spots to be filled in the 48, country slate. It's gonna be the first of this kind, so we'll look forward to seeing how that goes down, especially with everything else going on in the world. But in addition to the world that qualifiers, there's also this small matter of the Conka Nations League featuring the three World Cup hosts that I mentioned, and Panama, who are, not only punching out their weight, but they are knocking out teams namely the us. to take us through that and a lot more, we've got from Africa's fc. You can find the work of Awei over on Blue Sky and the ex will definitely have a lot to chat to him about. So let's bring him in. How you doing?

I am doing all right. How are you doing today?

doing pretty well. March is always a lot happening in football. club football, international windows interesting to see things shake out. you and I both have Ghanaian heritage, so let's zoom in. We're crisscrossing the Atlantic in this episode and we'll probably get in a few different stops along the way, but. start off with Ghana's Black stars. They missed out on the next African couple nations, is a bit of a shock and probably a bit of a wake up call for the administration. But in the latest window, they enjoyed, five nil winner of Chad if, and then they beat Madagascar three nil and they topped their calf World Cup qualifying Group. They look like they're heading towards the World Cup. What did you see from the black stars in this window?

I think I saw them embody more of an identity as a team pushing the ball forward. It's, you saw with Otto Auto, it seems as if he was trying to platoon. I. His strikers, whether he wanted to start Jordan up top or start Antoine up top or even get, Inaki Williams up top figuring them out. I think he got a good balance, we did beat Chad. Chad is not a world beater and to my Chad friends I'm sorry. You just aren't like I was telling you about my brother is feeling like every guardian is of the black stars are back. I let me see them in another window because what I've seen is great, but my bar has been so low for them that beating a team convincingly Isn't registering on my level yet, but I think they looked good offensively pushing the ball. putting in Yaki out wide helps a lot in terms of dealing with their wingers and that space. Antoine is physical but good, and Jordan, as much as I don't always appreciate how he plays for the national team, you can't deny the shift he's put in here, right? He has nine over nine goal contributions over all of World Cup qualifiers. He has definitely put in a shift whether he had the armband or not, and so he has certainly been living up to expectations And so I think that can't go unstated, but the team is looked good offensively and they're not fully healthy yet, which is both exciting and also curious what Ada will do when he has a fully healthy team, who he calls who he leaves off, the players they're calling up are getting the job done. as a Ghana fan, that's all you can ask for.

Yes. when you look at the last window, you talked about offense, but they did keep two clean sheets. that was a problem in the African nations qualifiers They just couldn't keep the ball out and there wasn't much thrust going forward. So they had addressed the attacking issue. they kept the ball outta the net. That's gotta be a good. sign look at Alexander Juku, playing under Jose Moreno in Turkey with Fach and Mohamed Salisu in Monaco, playing regularly out there, would you say defense is becoming more solid nowadays? Are you still concerned against tougher opposition?

I think I'm still gonna be concerned against tougher opposition. you mentioned the defenders and they haven't had KU in a long stretch, so having him health has really turned well. I don't know how I feel about their goal keeping yet. I know they just had two clean sheets, but next window they'll play Chad and I think Ro so that'll be a better test of their clean sheets and their goalkeeping ability with a little bit more firepower come the other way. health to me is the big thing. This team has just not been able to be healthy with their top 23. I think we know their top 40 players are. I don't know who Odo sees as his top 23, but having GCU back helps. Having Sally Sue back certainly does help. Even having Gideon Mensa back helps Even Thomas parte being healthy, he missed the last window. Or wasn't there fully for the last one, having him back and contributing is great for the Ghana team. So getting some health in the back seven, back eight, however you wanna look at it, I think only helps solidify cohesion communication on the pitch matters. Knowing your players' tendency matters especially at international play where You have a week, maybe two weeks tops, and you have to get your system down familiarity does matter. as they get healthy, it'll help them. you saw the dividends of that in their back line as they got two clean sheets against Madagascar and Chad.

Yeah, that's a good point about the short turnaround where players are coming in from the different club situations and they only have a few days to prepare. We're gonna hold that thought 'cause I wanna ask you about that in another sphere. But looking at the group that Ghana is in, RO is one of the upcoming opponents and they've given Ghana trouble in the African couple Nation. They infamously eliminated them from a previous tournament. You've still got Molly out there. You've still got Molly. Who was the biggest threat in that group with the full gangs remaining.

It'll, it's an odd thing to say Ghana is their biggest threat, and this is by no means an insult to the other five teams, but in their games that they've lost, it's not as if Ghana has played poorly. They've just been atrocious finishing. We've seen I had a screenshot I put on YouTube where it's in Yaki Williams in front of a quarter of a net open, and the goalie's on the other side, and somehow the goalie makes the save, the misses they've had have been. Comical you have to laugh. You can't even be frustrated. You're just laughing at how the group is going. Molly has disappointed me. I expect more from them in World Cup qualifiers. Unfortunately, they're not able to string any wins together. They'll get a draw, a win. Like right now is a good run of form for them, but it's a draw, a win, and then a draw, right? Ghana's been able to run away with it. And Curos is a side that they do have the confidence, they have beaten a Ghana aside, might I add with a center back end goal in, in that infamous game. I don't think Ghanaians are gonna take, Curos lightly. They are the closest team to them. based off of geography in, in the group, Curos is that biggest threat. If Ghana wins their next two games, they're pretty much off to the World Cup. And so that Curos game, because. Big because they are the closest team to them. So I think if you're Ghana, you beat Chad Nick's window and then the showdown against ros, you send a message, hopefully you finish that window with six points and then breathe a little easier. They did what they have to do and Ros is doing as much as they can to stay and keep the pace. right now Ghana is their biggest threat because we've seen two sides in the World Cup qualifiers, the side that fought back against Molly. We saw the side that went toe to toe with Central African Republic, but we also saw the side that lost to ros. And so they have to be better in terms of being mentally up for the games. And if they're able to do that, there's few teams in this group, let alone in Africa, that can compete with them. There are better teams in Africa, no doubt. But If they are mentally there, then there are a few teams that will really play with them on the pitch because they have fortitude, but don't always, tune into it. because of that, they'll have days, frequently look at Afghan qualifiers. You'll have a whole series where it seems like they were mentally checked out. So I think for them, they are their biggest foes. the biggest threat to themselves. if it's another team, it would be Ros because they've been able to string together results to stay in striking distance, and they just need one win against Ghana. And the group becomes much more complicated for the black stars.

Yes. complicated has been modus operandi of the black stars in recent years. another thing that has been complicated for this team or this program, if you will, has been getting players to play for the black stars, Let's talk about that. I'm not talking about the likes of Alfonso Davies, because he was born in Ghana. It was either gonna be Liberia or Canada.

I'm glad you're saying this because I'm so tired of fighting with Ghanaians Ghana was never an option for him. I know he's Ghana born, and I acknowledge this, but Liberia or Canada. I don't know why. Canadian Ghanaians are always he could have been, no, he was never going to be It's okay though.

Yeah, he was born in Ghana by circumstance. it's a blessing his life has transformed the way it has. we're very blessed to enjoy his career the way it has been. I'm talking about the likes of, Memphis Pi. I'm talking about on the, on a smaller scale, gentleman from Man City, he's playing for Belgium instead of Ghana.

Jeremy Doku.

Thank you. we could list a starting 11 of people who could have played for Ghana, but opted to play for other countries. Give us your thoughts on that,

I find that with dual nationals, It's not, I have this example with Canadian dual nationals, I said this on my podcast, two years ago, right? Everyone wants them to come. I use the analogy of having a barbecue, at the house, everyone wants to host it. But no one ever talks about how you haven't paid your light bill, right? You haven't mowed the lawn in the back, you haven't cleaned out the driveway, you haven't bought the food or anything, but you want people to come to your house because your house is there. when they don't come you're mad and insulted because they chose not to go. But you never look at your own backyard and say, we're not ready to host this. Maybe that's a bit of a problem. when it comes to Ghana And dual nationals. every situation is unique and different in that sense. You have, Ghana was making headlines before 2020 two's World Cup because it seems like they just went to transfer window and said, second nationality Ghana, would you like to play for us please? they got the likes of everyone turik Lampi just changed over, Muhammad Ali came back to Ghana, Eddie and Kechi chose not to come. Callum Hudson Nado chose not to come. sometimes they try to reach out to these players, but you have to remember your reputation is what we've last seen from you. And so if there are young players, right? How were the young players when they. Try to play for you at a young age, were they treated well? Not to say that you have to treat them exceptionally well, but were they treated like players? I know stories from Ghana's fa, I know stories from Jamaica's fa where it's a player came, they had to, they were told pay this money, or they have to pay their flights and weren't paid back. the smallest network within football is players. Yes, there are many teams and players talk. if you have a bad experience within a federation, and I'm not saying that's the only reason, like I said every experience is different and unique, but there are so many different things that can factor in. What I find is, and what I tend to say and what I believe is I think recruitment is never linear. And so I. Always checking in with players, whether they decide to come and play for you or not. Always having the door open, always being willing to talk, check in, see how they're doing, how they're progressing, keeping those doors open. I think that matters in the long run, but if you're a player, it's where's your opportunity? Where is your opportunity to play? international football is at a smaller clip than playing club football at a high level, You only get the top 26, 23 players that are able to do it consistently, can they see a future for themselves? Maybe it's more opportunity. Maybe it's on the marketing aspect, with Ghanaian players and every country is like this, if they choose to play for you, you're excited. if they don't, you'll say, oh, they weren't committed to us or something. But it's a very varying degree of answers and possibilities. What I find with Ghana is there's more behind the scenes that doesn't get talked about versus just ultimately a player decides they're gonna play free or not. Because there is a reason why, Mohamed Salisu took that long to play for Ghana, right? And it's been rumored around and people have talked about it. But stories like that, and what I'm inferring to is just the idea of, paying into be on teams like young players having been told, you wanna be part of this side or you wanna be part of this camp and you're not born domestically. There is a feed to come in. And there are stories about that throughout all of African football. That's not a Ghana issue itself, but I'll use that as an example. If something like that happens and you call them for the national team, when they are all of a sudden reaching a level, it's, I can understand a player who is hesitant or wants to take his time because. I wanted to represent you and you put up roadblocks and now you want me to represent you. How do I know that will still be there or will you change your mind So it varies from different players, but for me it's the consistency. If you are consistent in your approach, you're not gonna get every player, But if you are cordial, who you are will always travel more than what you are who you are will always be the conversations that players will have, and that will always be the metric they decide where they want to take,

Yeah. those are words to live by, not just international football. Who you are is, that's your reputation and

Indeed.

So you carry yourself a certain way, that's how the market will react. wanted to continue the conversation on African football There's a couple of Canadians with Ghanaian heritage are playing on the continent. Rich Lare is, a famous example, and then

Yep.

Premier League you had Quesi Poku. Do you feel like they would've had the opportunity to play for Ghana

I think it comes down, and this regime for Ghana is very interesting in terms of how they're recruiting. I think they're starting to do a better job of looking outside of the country. I think there's young players everywhere. For example, if you want to talk Canadians, TJ Tahi who's playing for, the Canadian Premier League out in Vancouver, he just got called up and played a camp for the U twenties for Ghana. And so it, it's interesting watching it from that perspective and seeing the Canadian response as well as the Ghanaian response to that. I think they're getting better at finding, I think in Africa some, for some countries, there's still a bit of a stigma when it comes to North American football as it stands. Whether they look at the MLS, I can understand why The GFA would look at, the MLS and say, we have players there, but they weren't built there. Patrick Agman just got called up for the us. He's Ghanaian dissent, he's in the us. I don't think they would've looked at him because they would've thought we have better nines. We'd rather bring someone from the Ghana Premier League. We'd rather look and see, hey, maybe we can find another striker who's playing somewhere in Europe because we think that's a higher level than North America. Will you get the Joseph Paint stills who will come through? Yes. Will you get the Usman Bukari who went there as well? Yes. But I think, at Ghana, football will look at North American football with a stigma, thinking it's not up to a level, even though there are players who have played at youth levels, players who have played at at. Senior team level levels. Jonathan Mensa was there for a few years they don't necessarily trust that infrastructure for developing players. not sure if those players would've made it. When you look at Questi Pokus in Canada, Richie Lares, they are starting to broaden their net because if you look at their women's sides, you have to find players everywhere. people wanna represent their heritage. They wanna be connected to their history and their roots. And so giving players the opportunity, and as I said before, recruitment isn't linear, so maybe you get them in for a camp. If Tariq doesn't get as many opportunities for Canada, but he continues to grow as a player, maybe that turns into a player that the GFA looks at and says, Hey, why not bring him in for a camp, have him play for Ghana, and now he maybe has a future with us moving forward. Not to say that they're waiting for one or the other, but you gotta keep as many doors open. But I think right now they're more open to it than they would've been when Richie was coming up and even Quesi Poku as he was developing and playing for Canada.

a possible bridge in my mind is in San Diego Stay with me because San Diego Sea, are part of the right to dream family and the right to dream Ghana. Can you see that family of clubs being a benefit to the black stars

There's always the possibility because the right to Dream Academy opens up movements that was the whole debate with clubs, right? The man cities the Red Bull Clubs were moving players a little bit easier. Partnerships with clubs allows you to move players with less of a burden in that sense. So I think there's always that possibility. San Diego climate wise could also fit well for a player in Ghana or player who's training in Ghana to go over the San Diego. I think temperature wise though, there'll be a little bit of a drop. It won't be as drastic as, say, sending them to Canada So I think there's always gonna be possibilities. It's always gonna come down to who becomes the first and can they. Then create that pathway, right? Muhammad Kadu is a right to dream player. when they see him, it's okay, let's see what the next one is. for that connection in San Diego to work, you'd need A player from right to dream to go to San Diego FC and ball out. once they see that, then it becomes a bit more eyes going there. But once you do that, what ends up happening is maybe those players don't have that bridge to go to San Diego quickly. There's no point in bringing it to the factory to bottle it. You might as well take it for yourself. And that's where you'll see more European clubs, saying, let's get these players now versus waiting having to pay another transfer fee If you invest in them slowly now, maybe by the time they develop, we get to sell them on, or they develop into a great footballer and that brings more value to the club as well. So I think there's a possibility you need to see a player make that step and show their talent in, San Diego

We will see how that evolves Let's stay in Southern California we had the Conka Nations League, and finals. at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Los Angeles and Canada had one win. They had one loss, they lost to Mexico, two nil in the semifinal. Royal Double was the killer for the men's national team, they were able to knock off the US in the third place. Playoff. The US ended up in that game by virtue of losing to a late winner from Panama in the semi finals, and came away from the window with zero. Win. If you think things are bad for Canada, look at the us it's perspective What did you see in the Conga Nations League? final and final.

I think there's a lot of talking points. I think if you are a Mexican or a supporter, It's great to see them put together consistency. they won the Gold Cup, two years ago. Now they've won a nations league and they're coming in to another Gold Cup ready to roll. So you're starting to see the pieces of that Mexico of old where they dominate on the pitch. When, we can talk about Panama here. I think Panama have pound for pound the best coach in the Federation. for what he has done with that program, punching above their weight is one thing, and that it's been my concern with the team. I feel they can push out another cycle but they need a youth movement to Supplement the roster Thomas Christensen has been one of the best tactical coaches in this region. And what he's been able to do with Panama, I think speaks volumes to him as a coach, but also the players able to punch above what many perceive as their weight and their level. Panama becomes a side that's always gonna give top teams trouble. They are a top team in the region. Canada, on my post match, I said it was the game many Canadians wanted, just not in the matchup they wanted. Playing the US in the third place, a lot of them were us hoping that they would play against the US in the final, or they got the us they just didn't get the final. with Canada, there's a lot of talking points with Canada. It's a, it's another trophy that you weren't able to get. They now have to turn to the gold Cup. I feel that. The Mexico game was interesting for Canada because they played good enough where they weren't terrible, but they were nowhere near good. Mexico. Conceding one minute into the game doesn't help your chances, but allowed Mexico to sit back and play on the counter where they were more dangerous and effective. Canada, whenever they got the ball into dangerous positions, they weren't able to convert or even test. I think at the end of the game, they ended with one shot on goal. that's with seven corners, about four to five indirect free kicks they had opportunities, but couldn't test the goalkeeper. So it left a lot of Canadians feeling just deflated beating the US Just based off what the climate is in North America with both countries is something Canadians always take. They will never pass up the opportunity and, but I think for them, I. It's a good win. Especially building up to the World Cup and Gold Cup It's good for supporters trying to get more of the casual, viewers to invest into this team going to the World Cup. And for the US it's tough to evaluate because they were so injured. This was a disappointing display, they were down to their fourth, fifth, and sixth striker They didn't have their starting fullbacks. I. And their goal keeping Matt Turner though has been playing around, has just not been solid in being a second goalie in the Premier League. So for Tino, this is a bit of a step back. I know there's a lot of yelling to me. I'd say for the United States, let them get healthy and see what they look like then, both can, and the US I fight are better teams that are built for that transitional, pressing, turning them over and scoring transition game versus a possession type And so Mexico was able to take that away from them when they went up one N the US were dominant on the ball throughout both games, but have one goal to show for it. So I think there's definitely talking points. There's learning points from every team. I think though it's magnified because it is the Nation's League finals. for the US this is the first time they've not even podium, they've won the previous three. Mexico, this is their first time winning after being a finalist twice. Panama. This is their first time being semifinals in Canada, their second time at the semifinals. But always a win and a loss. Unable to come away with any trophies definitely a loss here, but things teams can go back to drawing board, both for the Gold Cup. Then also preparing for the World Cup. They'll definitely have to go back to Dryboard for that.

And we have the matter of the Gold Cup coming up later this summer. Alfonso Davies not be there after he picked up a. Injury to his knee in the third place. Playoff game. are To see the likes of Steven Ista here given FC Porto in the Club, world Cup, Alistair Johnson, should be there.

Possibly depending if there's room.

Yes.

right now I think Tejon Buchanan possibly, depending on what he does in the summer. 'cause he is still an interplay. So for sure, you aren't gonna see three players and possibly four de depend on moves from Jonathan, David, Jonathan David, and ter Johnson.

Jonathan David will look good at Arsenal. I'm just saying a club that is crying for a strike room for some reason, did nothing about it in January I'm not a bitter Arsenal fan,

No, not at all.

Not all. Not all. He's, fit in, he speaks French and have strong French connections. But

Yes.

what's the past mark for Canada at the Gold Cup? Is it winning the Gold Cup? making the final, finishing ahead of the US

If it was finishing ahead of the US we would have many opportunities but I think since the 2022 World Cup, they've been chasing something that they could stamp down and say, we have arrived as a team. Which is why I think since that World Cup, since 2023, I've been saying they need a trophy. They need to show this team has arrived not only as a top four nation in the region, but maybe one of the top two or three, I haven't changed how I feel, they weren't able to get a trophy at the Nation's League. I think they need to win the Gold Cup. Would I accept finishing in the finals? I would accept it, but they need to win a trophy here, just because odds are this will probably their best on best competition that they'll have outside of playing friendlies. Leading up, I know they have Romania, they have whales, they have the Canadian Shield in June where they'll play TiVo and Ukraine. But in terms of playing CONCACAF teams, but also in Saudi Arabia, because anything for the money, they are, they need to stamp their validity in the region. a trophy first place does matter for them. And I think you can see that they are, they're chasing it a little bit. You could see in their disappointment against Mexico. Some could argue they came into that game with too much bravado and it backfired. I think they were out coached tactically. that was one of Marsh's bad games in terms of saying the lineup to all the talking points that came afterwards. So when it comes to the Goal Cup, I think they need to go and chase and try to win it because The next meaningful games will be at the World Cup. winning the Gold Cup, is imperative

Yeah, it's definitely an objective. it's been 25 years since Candice won the World Cup. Jesse MAs should have the team training at the LA Coliseum Holger's Heroes Holger oh 16 did back in those days.

Yep.

be interesting to see if they can replicate that this summer. Quai I'll give you the final word. What else did you see in the window just gone that your interest?

you've given me the entire world, sir. I work best in sandboxes. there's a lot I can go with. looking at canon, the aftermath, football, social media is the most positive place. everyone's levelheaded there. No one ever yells about ridiculousness, ever, right? If a player happens to tear their ACL, it's not the federation's fault or the player's fault or the club's fault I'll look at this from a Canadian perspective. There's still a lot of questions. I think Jesse Marsh has about 90% of his roster that he wants to bring to the World Cup in his mind, penciled in. I think there are holes to look at. Fullback and Winger depth And the pairing striker for Jonathan David, because Kyle LN has had about a year's worth of games, the only striker not named Jonathan David to score for Canada was Tanya Lui. in their last game. They have not gotten a lot of contributions outside of Jonathan David. So who's gonna be that scoring depth matters. And I think that's what makes. The Gold Cup and their Friendly's. A little bit curious who they're looking at in terms of that, because I think you can play around with the pool or you can just say, I'm waiting for everyone to be healthy. And that's the other thing. I think from a fullback depth standpoint, they are not healthy. Right now, Candace fullback depth is Alistair Johnston. That's the tweet. That's their depth. They have to play a central midfielder as a right back, and they play. Alistair Johnson left back, and that was the first time he ever did it. So from the Canadian perspective, it's depth. They have to look at their squad depth and find answers for that.