(A GNA Sports Feature by Michael Avamah) Accra, Aug. 3, GNA - Can the success or otherwise of the performance of teams both at the local or international levels be simply related to myths and superstitions to the concept of 91Juju' as popularly known in Ghana.
In delving into the understanding of myths and superstitions, which raises thoughts of believe, there are some sects in society who may choose to believe or have other assertions about the possible truth in myths or superstitions.
Definitions from the internet refers to myths as a traditional story which embodies a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; a sacred narrative regarding a god, a hero, and the origin of the world or of a people.
The web dictionary explains superstitions as a belief, not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, that future events may be influenced by one's behaviour in some magical or mystical way or a
further belief in something not justified by reason or evidence.
Unfortunately, there are also some curious and 91weird' thinking individuals who may choose to be ignorant of these assertions of the philosophy of myths otherwise called 91Juju'. Certainly some individuals
would rapidly nod these assertions based on their faith, social
orientation and religions practices.
With the octopus Paul receiving 100 per cent prediction rate at the just ended FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the subject of myths and
superstition could be discussed harnessing in the continent's first feast of the prestigious tournament. Recalled incidents of superstitions and myths have predominantly come up between the famous teams of Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi
Asante Kotoko in our local Premier League on countless occasions among followers of these famous teams in Ghana. Every pundit of the game of
football would have in some several instances witnessed all manner of
myths and superstitious and trickery associated to the victory of teams in the country by their 91die-hard' supporters whenever they win or lose a game at hand.
Even though there have been rumors of teams involved in some
activities of superstition to win games, speculations and assertions have
been debunked and misconstrued to suit the situation in some instances
of our local league along with other divisions of our league systems.
Some recalled thoughts of the writers' encounter with colt's soccer
still remains in my mind as our coaches would mostly ask the captain and the lead strikers of the team to endure a bath with certain prepared
concoctions before a game. Hiding to the instructions of the coach and
our leaders, we are always of the conviction of been guided by some
supreme authority in order to win our games which took a great toll on
our physical and will to persevere to the end.
The African continent made its mark in the just ended World Cup
tournament in South Africa despite the huge criticisms in the run up to
tournament with a splendid organisation that attracted applauds from
the rest of the continent through the sincere and extraordinary
hospitality of Africans at large.
With host South Africa commencing the tournament with a great
showing in a 1-1 draw against Mexico in the opening game, it was
presumed the African representatives would put up an outstanding show
of physique, commitment, drive and passion till the very end of the
prestigious tournament held on African soil for the first time.
Africa's representatives, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire all held high hopes of reaching the final or at most the semi-final and that was at the hearts of every African on the continent.
This believe of a 91dream come true' on our own land fell short with the shortcoming of our cherished representatives from the continent as South Africa began to drop points, as well as the subsequent defeats sustained by Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Algeria. Ghana's Black Stars, the only promising team to raise the continent's
flag also had to bow out after a Luis Alberto Su=E1rez 91Double hand of God'
at the dying minutes of the quarter final encounter against Uruguay only to realize a painful penalty miss by the 91baby jet' Asamoah Gyan, the
prolific striker for the Black Stars after a quick execution of successful penalty kicks earlier in the tournament.
To crown it all, terrible penalty misses by stand-in captain John Mensah and the prolific Under-20 World Cup winner, Dominic Adiyiah demoralized all soccer fans on the continent with the murmur of Awurade me wu' to save his 91face' from the vicious and vociferous die hard Ghanaian supporters back home.
Still riding on the consequences of our exit along with our compatriots in the just ended tournament dubbed our 91World Cup', leaves much to be desired of; as the continuous performance of our teams to be able to lift up their game despite a local or foreign coach at the fray of affairs.
This is not to anticipate failure or summon bad luck upon the game that the continent share so much with passion but just to rally around the possible prospects of failure that can 91look us in the eye' if care is not taken to rescue the fruit of the game in our continent and to be precise,
Ghana.
It's evident to witness the faith of African teams that have made it to the stage who are glorified as a bench mark when it comes to the World Cup tournament. If the subject of myths and superstitions hold a significant space in our football life, then we must discuss and pre- determine our hope for the future and take intricate steps in saving ourselves from the arms of the 91hunting myth' on all the African teams that have ever reached the quarterfinal stage of the prestigious tournament.
With 208 associations affiliated to FIFA today, the world's football
governing body has rightly been adjudged the "United Nations of
Football" between 1975 and 2002 alone there are more than 60
associations as members.
With Africa making only a membership of 54, members of the world football body has a huge cause in mapping a line of success in subsequent World Cup tournaments following the outing at our 91World Cup' on our home soil.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon remains Africa's most successful side for qualifying for the FIFA World Cup six times; 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010 and emerged as the first African team to reach the quarterfinal of the World Cup in 1990, when they lost to England in extra time and indicates the prospects of Cameroon which is visible to see by the subsequent outings at both the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup.
The Teranga Lions of Senegal also made its debut at the senior World stage in 2002 and pulled a huge upset by defeating then world and European champions, France in the opening game. Senegal also made the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, following in the shoes of Cameroon in 1990 but much cannot be said about them after that feat both at home and qualification to their second appearance at the World Cup.
In most recent times the Black Stars of Ghana after surfacing through
the group stages and 1/16th stage of the just ended World Cup in South
Africa 2010 after an impressive first time showing at Germany 2006
World Cup ought to survive a break of odds of their predecessors who
have all equaled the quarter final stage of the World Cup tournament.
Following the success of Ghana still the attainment of a quarterfinal benchmark is shared in the history of the World Cup with the prospects of preceding teams such as Cameroon and Senegal who have all failed to double or even lift the ladder of the quarterfinal stage as a barrier in their football journey.
The worst could be said of Senegal and Cameroon who are both battling and dismayed at putting their teams in right shapes to produce results. The tale of Cameroon is recent and fresh in mind with their plight in South Africa to buttress the notion associated with myths and superstition if you may like.
We are witnesses to the plights of these teams after they reach the =91quarter-final stage which has become our 91barrier' despite the huge funding and expertise we invest at the technical bench, management and welfare. With frantic efforts in preparing our team for the next World Cup there is the need to avoid any forms of biases in our cause of
breaking the 'barrier' as an impeding block.
The fear of the concept of myths and superstition would not hunt us deeply if we choose to believe in ourselves and go on the paths of the game we care so much for in totals unity and focus.
Let's all be supportive of moves of the coach to continue with what he has started in the motive of continuity and place strict embargo on uncommitted players and threatening issues of fitness as a sure way of overcoming the 91benchmark' in prospective tournaments of the World Cup, especially as we prepare towards the upcoming World Cup fiesta Brazil 2014 where the Samba would be hard to dance but it must be the time for the 91Agoro' of the Stars to shine.