I have decided to write on this topic regardless of the outcome of the very important match the Black Stars play in Kigali against Rwanda on Sunday. It is however imperative we pray for a miracle so that the red, yellow, green flag with the Black Star in the centre is hoisted when 16 African soccer nations assemble in Tunisia for the 18th edition of the African Cup of Nations.
To say the least, I am really appalled at our level of preparations for the match in Kigali after we had failed woefully to stamp our authority on ordinary Uganda at our own backyard and take the lead in a group, which analysts believed would be dominated by Ghana when it was announced in February 2002 in Bamako, Mali. In fact, those of us who were in Mali covering the 17th edition of the competition for the Ghanaian media rejoiced and partied at the weakness of the opposition and concluded that Tunisia was a done deal.
We could not imagine how Uganda, which made its last appearance at the competition in Ghana in 1978 or Rwanda, which is yet to receive a baptism could pose any danger to our qualification. But with just a match to end the race, the all mighty four time champions are in a tight corner with failure starring us scornfully in the face as we picked only a point in our two legs with Uganda.
We have failed to realise that the standard of our football has sunk probably due to poor preparations and lack of commitment on the part of our players and the technical crew or managerial and administrative deficiencies which freeze the urge and drive of the players to give every game their all.
We have failed to accept the reality that our superiority in the game of football on the African continent is a piece of history, which the youth of this country can only access from the archives. We have failed to reason that despite the assemblage of performers from the Serie A, the Bundusliga, the Nationwide, the Turkish League, Russia, Israel, France, Czech Republic, Greece, Austria, India and other countries, the magic wand to success is team work which is only achievable through planning and astute implementation.
I find it very difficult to decipher how the Black Stars would refuse to stay in camp and prepare for an important Nations Cup qualifier when the odds are heavily against us and a negative count in Kigali would mean the absence of the four time champions at a 21st century continental soccer fiesta. It is hard to believe that the Ghanaian player who was weaned by the colts' league and the various youth teams into a mega buck earner from the game would just not care about the soccer fortune of the nation. I do not intend condemning our stars as ingrates but if for nothing sake, they remain lackadaisical while the reputation of the country sinks and our football slides into a nadir of nothingness, then they stand accused.
On the other hand, it might be very hard to explain why the foreign-based Ghanaian players appear peeved and unwilling to play in the senior national team, a situation, which their counterparts from other countries such as Nigeria and Cameroon deem as an honour and an icing to their careers. Abubakari Yakubu is on and off, Samuel Osei Kuffour has just ended his leave only after a ministerial intervention and Michael Essien has been missing since his face off with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) officials in Mali during the CAN 2002. Eric Addo has failed to turn up in recent times, Christian Attah Djan does not respond to calls lately and it appears Otto Addo has been forgotten about a year after he had capped an injury, playing for the country. Peter Ofori Quaye seems to have lost the zeal to play for the country, Derek Boateng was reported to be playing truancy after the Meteors game against Liberia, while the gentle giant in defence, Kofi Amponsah, Mathew Amoah, Godfred Aduobe, Lawrence Aidoo, Daniel Edusei and Sulley Muntari complete the rebel gang. Mind you, apart from Peter, all the others were part of the team, which drew with Uganda in Accra.
Under the present circumstances, it would be fit and proper for the GFA and the coaching crew to reappraise their relationship with the players in order that a conducive atmosphere is created to entice the players to report and remain in camp. While it is not desirable to beg players to play for their country, it is important to acknowledge their contributions to national development and accord them the respect they deserve. They are no longer cadet players who were shouted at by coaches who took them as their own children and related to them as disciplinarian fathers who howled and clamoured to get things done or colonial school teachers whose faces never smiled. They are adults who have families of their own and dictate the tune in their homes. Some of them work under very high-grade coaches who treat them as colleagues at the work place whose partnership is revered for the success of their club.
Administratively, things must not be taken for granted. The GFA must remain in constant touch with the players, call them often and show them that we care about them. We do not lose anything when those in charge of running our football call our players before some of their club assignments and wish them well or call them after some matches and congratulate or sympathise with them depending on the result. Apart from a regular link with the players, there should also be a cordial relationship with the coaches and administrators of our foreign legion so that we know about their fitness and form at any point in time.
As it is natural that every athlete would get into the twilight of his career some day and fade away sooner or later, we should not despise and jeer at our footballers when their contributions begin to lose colour. That is where I march along with the Sports Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu who had promised to institute an award scheme for old sportsmen and women. I hope when it takes off, it would rekindle the flame of patriotism in our soccer players and administrators and chart a new level of commitment from all to spearhead a genuine revival of our football. But if nothing urgent happens to alter the status quo, we could only wonder and ponder if our football could ever return to the top.