Now you know I wasn’t kidding last week when I said God might be a Ghanaian for ordaining that huge package of good news for the nation on President Akufo-Addo’s 78th birthday on March 29.
To recap, on that day, Tamale inaugurated its first interchange; the government ‘s controversial E-levy proposal, touted to be a panacea for the nation’s financial difficulties, was approved by the hung Parliament. And to top it all, the Black Stars escaped from the ‘Lions’ Den’ in Nigeria to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
It is no exaggeration to conclude these three events uplifted the gradual falling spirit of the nation. And President Akufo-Addo could not hide his pleasure when he told the Black Stars at a reception at Jubilee House their World Cup qualification was the best possible birthday gift.
Suddenly, throughout the country majority of football fans are renewing their fading faith in the hitherto crestfallen Black Stars. Now many arm chair self-styled football experts are propounding all sorts of theories why they think Ghana will shine in Qatar.
As soon as the draw for the Qatar festival put Ghana alongside Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea, the experts started predicting a not too difficult passage for Ghana.
I admit the current crop of the Black Stars are full of promise but I would advise we manage our expectations so we don’t put an unnecessary pressure on the team. These youngsters have really proved the future is bright for Ghana football but the know-all experts on social media and the vociferous analysts on radio and television would do well to leave the moulding of the squad to the technicians.
Otto Addo and his technicians have shown in this short period that they have the capacity to present a good team and they must be given the free hand to operate. In my considered opinion, there are far too many experts for the good of the game in this country.
Team building is no child’s play. Much as football is a mass supporting game and a passionate one at that. Arm chair critics must not be allowed to destroy good efforts by coaches to pick players on merit.
All serious players want to pair with the best to achieve success and I believe skipper Partey and co will be happy to get along with the best on offer. That explains why Wayne Rooney for instance was at his peak when Ronaldo joined him at Manchester United. He enjoyed the partnership to the hilt and did not toil in vain.
National team handlers also loathe players with bad influence so Eric Cantona with all his excellent skills was axed from the French squad in the 1998 World Cup.
In our quest to build a formidable squad for Qatar, those ill- informed self-styled serial sports callers must not be encouraged to display their ignorance about team selection.
The World Cup is several months away and there is no guarantee all the players who qualified the various countries would be in Qatar. Nature is such that a player could dip in form within a short period even in camp.
In Libya 1982, John Baker was the Black Stars top goalie but in the final brush up for the tournament he suddenly lost his poise. Incidentally, second choice Robert Carr also panicked, leaving third choice Owusu Mensah to carry the burden. He performed creditably saving two penalties in the shootout against Libya in the final to win the cup for Ghana.
Many people have little idea what happens in camp. It is interesting to notice the camaraderie among footballers in camp. As a sports journalist, I have had the privilege of mixing with generations of the Black Stars group since the days of Aggrey Fynn, Edward Acquah, Addo Odametey era in the early sixties, Osei Kofi, Frank Odoi, John Naawu era in the late sixties. Kwasi Owusu, Sunday Ibrahim, Malik Jabir, Robert Mensah group in the early seventies. Opoku Afriyie, Razak, Awuley Quaye era in the late seventies. Opoku Nti and co in the 80s and Abedi Pele, Tony Yeboah group in the 90s this time when I was member of the Black Stars management committee.
I can tell you their friendship in camp reflects on the field of play. There may be a few hidden petty squabbling though.
It’s not going to be a sight-seeing venture in Qatar. It’s serious business and we need to present our best.
Incidentally, as if ordained, the Black Stars have the opportunity to face their nemesis Uruguay who robbed us of victory in 2010 when sadly VAR was not in vogue. How I wish it were in athletics where even a gold medal winner could be stripped of his medal if found guilty of an offence long after the presentation. Remember Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson of 1988 Seoul Olympics infamy? With the advent of VAR, Uruguay should be stripped of their semi-final record. No guilty offence should be sacrosanct.
With support of a few friends I would like to lead a crusade to allow the Black Stars handlers the free hand to complete their assignment of making the Black Stars shine once more in the World Cup like they did in 2010 and erase the disgraceful spectacle of Brazil 2014 when millions of dollars was flown to a dispirited Black Stars fighting with team officials over money.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
Credit: Ken Bediako
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