Inaki Williams: the Black Stars' saviour at AFCON?
With the squad strengthened by the arrival of Inaki Williams, Ghana will need to get out of Group B, which also features Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique.
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After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Inaki Williams is set to play in his first Africa Cup of Nations (13 January-11 February). With the ageing Ayew brothers and a Mohamed Kudus who cannot do everything on his own, Inaki is expected to provide the other attacking option during this campaign in Ivory Coast. He is even being billed as the top-class striker the Black Stars have been missing. The Athletic Bilbao centre-forward in Spain's La Liga did not score at the World Cup, admittedly, but that takes nothing away from his talent as a goalscorer. Sceptics such as former international Charles Taylor remain unconvinced. "How can our Black Stars be saved because we have Inaki Williams? Do we see better than the Europeans? His way of playing cannot guarantee us any title. If the Spaniards thought he was good enough, they would have convinced him and his brother to play for them and not for Ghana," he said sharply.
With a Ghana squad in decline, Inaki could be a ray of light in the gloom. Despite the desire to erase the humiliation of a first-round exit at AFCON 2021, the Black Stars no longer strike fear into opponents. Indeed, the side coached by Chris Hughton are on a run of 3 defeats in their last four matches.
Can AFCON be the spark?
With just one goal for Ghana in 13 caps, Inaki Williams must make AFCON an absolute priority to silence the critics. A good tournament could help him win over, and lastingly settle into, the hearts of Ghanaians who have so far doubted his influence on the Black Stars' play. Yet the Athletic Bilbao forward brings a dynamic, explosive attacking style to the side. Known for his pace and his ability to score, Williams will therefore be a key asset in Ghana's bid for success in the tournament.
He made his international debut in a friendly against Brazil on 23 September 2022, and currently has 13 caps (1 goal). The player, who has made more than 400 La Liga appearances, has started ten times for Ghana, totalling 894 minutes of playing time. Inaki has played 3 World Cup matches, in addition to 5 friendlies, 2 World Cup qualifiers and 3 AFCON qualifiers.
Jim CEESAY