Accra Hearts of Oak recently strengthened the depth of their team with the acquisition of Kassenu Ghandi. The former National U-20 star’s inclusion in the Phobians’ set up will be an advantage to the team because of what he will bring to bear says Godfred Budu Yeboah.
The Phobians who sit fourth on the league log after the first round began the season with great gusto, winning at venues which had been a waterloo to them for years and beating clubs that had always been difficult to beat. The Phobians soon after such sterling performances became the book makers’ favourite. Quite surprisingly, the Phobians’ severe under performance in the latter parts of the first round leaves them sitting on fourth place.
There was therefore the need to strengthen the team and make it a force to reckon with. The second transfer window availed itself and Hearts made three acquisitions with Ghandi being one of them. Kassenu Ghandi’s style would suit trainer Kenechi Yatshuashi’s tactics and bring some much needed balance to the defence and midfield department of the club.
COULD BE USEFUL IN MIDFIELD
The26 year old former BK Hacken player made his name in the Ghanaian football circles in 2009 which earned him a place in Silas Tetteh’s World U-20 Champions team. He was known to be a left back but sojourns abroad have introduced him to the defensive midfield role where he brings balance and stability. Considering Hearts’ midfield issues over the last few weeks, with Sarbahn Laryea been off-form to the point that Kenechi Yatshauashi dropped him from the starting eleven in their recent matches- preferring to play Mustapha Essuman and Ollenu Ashitey in his stead. They Phobians have lacked balance, with their central midfield options being too static and defensive or too attack- minded. They simply do not possess one single individual capable of performing both defensive and attacking duties in equal measure. Ghandi has the universal abilities needed to execute this task.
One of his most noticeable attributes is his proclivity for robust challenges. He is a strong physical force with an appetite for battle, is not afraid to put his foot in and thus unsurprisingly he can perform effectively as a defensive shield.
AS A LEFT BACK
Hearts of Oak have struggled with their left backs in recent times. Owusu Bempeh has lost his spark and shine that made him one of the best in the country seasons ago. New recruit Kennedy Appiah has been inconsistent as far as the first half of the season is concerned. Isaac Oduro is often injured. Ghandi started his play-for-pay career as a left back where he demonstrated high level of precision and efficiency. Without the ball, Yatshuashi, places great emphasis on quick transitions to defence and an aggressive pressing scheme; offensively he prefers speed to elaboration in the build-up, and greater directeness in his teams’ passing and it requires an individual who is capable of mixing sound technique with high levels of endurance and an unquestioning desire to work. In all these repects, Kassenu Ghandi fits the bill. One of the certainties when watching him play is that his shirt will, come the final whistle, be drenched in sweat, the results of a game spent harrying the opposition and driving forward assertively with the ball at feet. He also has sound technique, a good passing range and a willingness to drive forward, traits which have dominated his play.
It’s worth making: Ghandi’s signing would be the same ideal way to propel the Phobians to the League title.
Source: Ghanafans