Not only did the Black Stars dispatch Togo and the Dodos this week, they also demonstrated an almost-unparalleled wealth of talent within their squad
EDITORIAL By Ed Dove 
Follow on Twitter
Ghana fans pouring out of the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday will have been very happy, despite their rain-sodden shoes!
Not only did their side thrive against Mauritius, hammering them 7-1 to make for a perfect start to Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, they also demonstrated that the national side possess enormous strength in depth.
Various observers have sought to read a great deal into the Black Stars’ showing, but only so much can be gleaned from the outing against such inadequate opponents.
The match didn’t prove—as some have claimed—that Jordan Ayew has finally arrived and demonstrated that his weaknesses are behind him. Two goals against Mauritius doesn’t change the fact that the Lorient hitman had managed just one goal in his previous nine matches before that, and two in his last 18.
There is certainly still work to be done there.
What it did reaffirm, however, is that Ghana boast an enormous strength in depth—possibly unparalleled in African football—and that Grant has some immense materials to work with.
As outlined in a recent feature, the Israeli coach is proving to be a master at cultivating his squad options, of rotating his pack, and of building a cohesive and coherent pool of international players.
We saw further evidence of that this week, there is superb competition for places in the national side and it’s hard to point to any African nation who can call upon such a wealth of resources.
This is nothing new for Ghana, but Grant appears finally to be harnessing the talent at his disposal.
Grant | Could comfortably field two convincing starting XIs
Intriguingly, while there is competition in almost every area of the pitch, it’s still fairly easy to point to a few names that Grant would surely pick on any given occasion.
Players such as Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu are offensive assets who would always start, fitness permitting.
Similarly, it’s looking hard to shift Jonathan Mensah—despite his struggles at club level—while Harrison Afful is guaranteed that right-back slot.
This latter position is an interesting one, as it is perhaps the one area of the pitch where Ghana are not well-covered right now.
Daniel Opare and Samuel Inkoom are both talented options, but the former’s injuries and the latter’s recent inactivity, have meant that neither has played a part under Grant. Daniel Amartey can feature on the right, and Jonathan can do a job there, but the coach has opted not (ever) to pick a specialist backup for Afful (the only exception being Inkoom's start in the friendly against Portuguese club side Olhanense).
He has this spot nailed down, and rightly so, if his performance against Mauritius is anything to go by.
Elsewhere, there is significant competition wherever you look.
Left-back is particularly intriguing, with Abdul Rahman Baba and Jeffrey Schlupp among the only players (the others being Jordan and Andre Ayew, and possibly Afriyie Acquah) playing regularly and consistently well in one of Europe’s five major leagues.
Kwadwo | Unlikely to be required at left-back ever again
A year ago, such was the deficiency of talent in this position, that Kwadwo Asamoah—arguably the side’s best central midfielder—was used here by Kwesi Appiah, much as he was by Antonio Conte at Juventus.
Now, however, there is surely no need for Kojo to play full-back when he does make his eventual comeback.
In Baba and Schlupp, Ghana have this position nailed down for the next decade, while Frank Acheampong has been groomed as a tertiary option by Grant should anything befall these two.
There is unlikely to be any need to turn to the conservative option of Lee Addy—as fine a defender as he is—any time soon.
In the centre of midfield, the figure of Mohammed Rabiu is an interesting example of the changing competition in the squad.
The Kuban Krasnodar midfielder might have felt that, having seen off the likes of Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Michael Essien, Derek Boateng and Anthony Annan, the position was his, and he and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu looked to have the central-midfield roles secured.
Now, however, Rabiu finds himself firmly in harm’s way.
Rabiu | Looking over his shoulder...
Not only have the duo of Acquah and Wakaso Mubarak moved ahead of him in the pecking order (with Grant rightly moving the latter into the heart of the park), but there is a whole new batch of central midfielders champing at the bit.
By September, it would be little surprise if players such as Godfred Donsah, Thomas Teye Partey and Enoch Kofi Adu (unlucky not to have been capped yet) had displaced Rabiu. Amartey is another option for this role, while I’d be stunned if Alfred Duncan of Sampdoria isn’t capped in the next 12 months.
In goal, it’s a similar story.
Ghana’s defence were one of the team’s strengths in Equatorial Guinea, despite changing personnel in the middle, and keeper Razak Brimah deserves credit for this.
However, with Fatau Dauda—picked by Grant for recent friendlies—looming large on the bench, and Adam Kwarasey establishing himself in Major League Soccer with Portland Timbers, Grant has three viable options to choose from.
As outlined above, at least three offensive places look to be tied down, but the competition for that fourth place is intense.
Should Atsu not be available, then players such as Albert Adomah, Solomon Asante or Acheampong would all fancy their chances of claiming a starting berth.
Kwarasey | Will he be involved for Ghana's next Afcon qualifiers?
On the left, Grant opted for Schlupp against Mauritius, but players such as David Accam and a fit-again Waris Majeed would not look out of place in the starting XI.
Finally, in attack, where the situation appears to be Gyan and one other, Grant is spoiled for options.
Bernard Mensah may be the popular choice as an attacking midfielder in the heart of the park, while aforementioned figures like Accam and Waris can also chip in with goals.
Jordan would appear to be the coach’s first choice for the role—and his interaction with Gyan was encouraging in Accra—but what of the physical ‘Plan B’ Richmond Boayke, who scored against Senegal?
Even considering Kwesi Appiah’s nine-month absence through injury, Ghana will not go short in offensive areas.
The successes of the last seven days provide a welcome boost and further encouragement of Ghana’s direction under Grant, they will also prepare the Black Stars well for the bigger challenges ahead.