FOR A HEALTHY WORLD CUP

It is with much concern and alacrity that i present this piece, about the way some Ghanaians would 'hammer' on the GFA and the team's head coach to invite their 'favorite' players for our debut in the "Coupe Mundial".

I would want my fellow soccer-loving and concerned Ghanaians to know that the current Black Stars squad is the best we can gather for the time being and for that matter, the world cup. We should also remember that, for sure, the currnet GFA team and the head coach would carry us to the world cup, any reshuffling of the GFA team and probably, the coach will come after the world cup. So, it'll rather do so much harm to kinda keep critisizing the GFA and the head coach. They need our support for now, at least up to the end of the world Cup. Our criticisms will get them more confused as well as derailing any good move rather than rectifying any situation. As an individual, I also have one or two players i would wish they are called but I don't think it will augur well for the team looking at the timing and the needed cohesion for us to win matches.

I believe what the current team needs now is no fresh limbs but what we call FINE TUNING. The coach needs to fine tune and sharpen the rough edges in our defence and attacking frontlines. Our defence has the right men but at times gets so sloppy. We probably will do one or two additions especially with the exit of some players that were kinda lackadaisical and sluggish in the just ended Cup of Nations but what will do all the magic is the fine tuning thing.

Take for instance, a man-to-man comparison with the current dreaded Ivorian Team. On a man-to-man basis, Ghana is far better. The Ivorian team is centered on Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue in defence, Gneri Yaya Toure and Didier Zokora in midfield, and Didier Drogba, Bakari and Aruna Kone in the frontlines. Look

at what we have at the rear, the much-experienced Samuel Kuffour, John Mensah, Issah Ahmed, and for our midfield just perfect with the inspirational skipper Stephen Appaih with so much footwork, Michael Essian, Sulley Ali Muntari and the master dribbler Baba Armando, not to talk of Laryea Kingston. Didier drogba has so much physique, experience and excellent predatory instincts than probably Baffour or Asamoah Gyan but the latter has so much footwork than the Ivorain talisman.

Gyan needs two chances to make one but drogba will probably need three or four two make same. The Ivorain team has so much dedication, descipline and commitment, so much hardwork, and the entire squad is very much hungry to achieve results. The Ghanaian squad has all the men, all the big names with little commitment and hunger to achieve results. The Ghanaian folk must understand that we have the right men, all we need is to help the GFA psyche them up for the task ahead.

One other sphere of concern is the hype we accord some of our players. At times the ghanaian soccer fan behaves just like the English soocer folks, or is it like we're trying to follow the footprints of our former masters?

The English press will always mention Wayne Rooney as the man to win the World Cup for England, forgetting fantastic and even more improtant lads like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerard, John Terry and David Bekham. They even classify the Manchester forward to be in the same class with Dhino, Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal, the Argentine super playmaker Juan Riquelme, the petit-talent Lionel Messi and our African pride, Samual Eto'o. How on earth could you afford such comparison?

Some Ghanaians accord this same hype to some of our players yet to make their name in the world of football. Some have referred Michael Essien as the best combative midfielder in the world. It's kinda preposterous and sad. Essien has yet so much to do in football. He's not done even a quarter of what Patrick Viera, Roy Keane, Claude Makalele and Edgar Davis have already done.

It has also been very common to read a script about the Ghanaian squad where Essien has been mentioned as the "Star of the Team". Essien is a star, fine, but not "the" star of our team. I do not know what we mean by "the star" but I believe classifying one a star will have to be centered on the player's commitment, hardword, dedication and performance

on the field of play. Regarding these four scenarios, which player in the Ghanaian team surpasses our skipper, Stephen Appaih?

We must always remember that A NATION THAT DOES NOT HONOR ITS HEROES IS NOT WORTH DYING FOR. Our skipper has done so much for our nation

and we must appreciate it. Essien is still a kid, I knew him from the time he played for Augustine's College against my school Mfantsipim. He's still young, destined to achieve greater things so leave the boy alone.

Besides, it'll not augur well for our team, to call others "the star" of our team while leaving the other integral part of our squad. If Adjei, Samuel Kuffour and John Mensah will not keep your goal line intact for Appiah, Essien, Muntari and Armando to "engine" the midfield for Gyan and Amoah to finish off, the entire team will be a losing one. We kinda rdicule

and demean other members of our squad when we refer our "favorites" as "The Star" of our team. We make others feel less important. This will actually generate into hatred in camp.

After the Mexican friendly, I met one Mexican here in Manhattan and he was like, even with your Essien, we manged to beat you. I was actually lost for words, and rather bowed in shame and walked away.

Let us make all our men feel they are important. This will push them give us their possible best. I don't fear Italy, neither will I fear the Czech nor the US. They have men and we got men too and wth the needed technical direction and inspiration we will make it, Inshallah.

Who ever thought Greece would beat France and Portugal to lift the Euro 2004 Cup? Hold on and be steadfast, our miracle is on the way! Go Ghana, Go Balck Stars!!

Abass Ahmed,
New Jersey Inst. of Technology, Newark, NJ
Email: aae5@engineer.com