The league is always enjoying exodus of players from other African countries. This season, Ghana already provides international defender Rashid Sumaila from Asante Kotoko to Mamelodi Sundowns and African finest goalkeeper Fatau Dauda from his home town team AshantiGold Sporting Club to Orlando Pirates.
Sumaila
and Dauda are part of the Kwesi Appiah plans in the Ghana National Team
alongside the injured Supersport United anchorman Edwin Gyimah and Maritzburg
United burly defender Mohammed Awal. Sumaila, Gyimah, Awal and Dauda were only
continent based players selected in the team to play Egypt in the Brazil 2014
qualifying games which justified the strength of the PSL from the outside.
Sumaila
and Dauda careers are slowly but surely going down the chute in South Africa.
Rashid was heralded as one of the most exciting defensive prospect with an
ability to follow in the footsteps of the all-time best defender in Ghana,
Samuel Kuffour. Sumaila started like a house in fire for Sundowns alongside
team captain Alje Schut when forming strong defensive combination with good
understanding.
Sumaila
is a complete modern defender with excellent defending techniques. He is Strong in the tackle coupled with
excellent aerial command and good ball distribution with either foot. However, Sundowns
signed experienced Bafana Bafana international defender Thabo Nthethe who
easily fit in the team like a hand in glove. The chances of Rashid to play this
season are very slim whilst Sundowns have already boosted its defence for next
season by acquiring the service of strong Zambia international defender Hichani
Himonde from TP Mazembe.
The
chances of Rashid to be part of Ghana team in the forthcoming Brazil World Cup
2014 are very slim due to lack of actions with Sundowns. The transfer window
has closed to rescue him from this frustrating situation. Sundowns will never
consider terminating his contract but the only possible solution would be to
selling him abroad at the end of the season to open up the foreign quota in the
team. Rashid is now linked with a move to France, Belgium and Russia.
Another
frustrated game player in the PSL is Dauda with Pirates; he started the season
as third choice goalkeeper on the stand but the situation improved after he
dethroned Brighton Mhlongo to be the second choice goalkeeper despite Senzo
Meyiwa unimpressive and erratic performance.
Pirates
caretaker coach Eric Tinkler has indicated that Meyiwa will remain the first
choice keeper ahead of Dauda despite Dauda impressive performance against
Polokwane City but the situation might change when Vladimir Vermezovic takes
over the reign as Pirates coach. Vermezovic is well known for selecting players
based on merits than reputation.
It
is disheartening from South African perspective that the PSL might not have any
Ghanaian representatives in the Brazil 2014 as Edwin Gyimah is carrying an
injury whilst Mohammed Awal form has declined with Maritzburg United this
season. Kwesi Appiah to select his team based on merits than reputation.
