It is the premise of this piece that Ghana declares war on Italy and all countries that we will meet in the World Cup. In this way all of them starting with the Italians are and will be our enemies. We should get our bows and arrows ready while some people look for tiabofre and others get our juju ready. As in any endeavor, be it in a war or business, planning including strategies of implementation is the key to success. In any war the action(s) behind the scenes are most invariably more important than events in the theatre.

African countries that had been in our present position before, in the World Cup, have a lot to teach us. In 1982 Tunisia made history by being the first African country to defeat a superstar in the World Cup, Germany, by two goals to one. After this game not much was done by Tunisia in the rest of the competition. The Tunisians spent all their resources on one particular game and failed to realize that they were in a competition with a number of countries instead of one. Ghana should learn from this and focus on meeting and beating the best. We accept our underdog position and should use it to pull surprises. A war lasts longer than one win. In this war the highest we go the hottest it becomes.

Cameroons, in 1990, went as far as to the quarter-final stage of the competition in its maiden appearance and thus earned the respect of the world in the process. However, in their subsequent appearances in 1994 and especially in 1998 they were nowhere to be found. The team disintegrated soon on arrival for the tournament. The main reason for this embarrassing situation was that somebody chose to short-change the players. Members of the team were compelled to spend valuable time fighting for their remuneration instead of focusing on the competition. This was something that could be avoided but for the stupidity and foolishness of some official(s). Incidentally, similar thing happened to the Nigerians in 1998 where some stupid official(s) chose to cheat the players out of the ?few amenities? their government had promised them. Nigeria lost miserably to Denmark.

We cannot win any match at the World Cup if this happens to be the case. If we promised to give each player $1.00 we should tell them when, where and how it would be given and who would give it to them. In this case Ghanaians would know who to praise or blame should this come up. We should not put them in a cheap hotel, give them cheap apparel and then turn round to label someone like Osei Kuffour as undisciplined for daring to open his mouth on such things. Let the officials treat the players with the professionalism associated with the level of competition they are involved.

For once Ghanaian officials accompanying this team should spare us the embarrassment that Ghana was exposed to during the 2000 Olympics. Someone failed to tell the athletes that Ghana had been disqualified in the final relay race leading to the team being literally pushed over from the field. Or the situation where the Green Eagles of Nigeria had to be evicted from a hotel in their preparation for the 2006 African Cup of Nations tournament because somebody did not do as expected - pay the bill on time. I hope someone among the officials know about the situation where the defunct Ghana Airways official knowingly allowed a plane to fly to the US even though their license had expired. We are in the international arena again and so our leaders should save us from disgrace.

According to my friend, Nana Adarkwaa Agyemang, we should be mindful of the type of food we give to our players. To the average Ghanaian foreign food is for entertainment, show off to girl/boy-friends. It is light and not good enough for ?heavyweight.? On a more serious note a Ghanaian should prepare and serve the players with whatever we want them to eat to avoid being jujued/poisoned. Let us try to prevent food poisoning before or after any game.

If the officials do their homework very well we will expect the players to reciprocate what they have done by respecting themselves, follow instructions and ?die? for Ghana. The players know better that if they lost their temper on the field, challenge a referee?s decision or push a referee or an opponent they would be looking for red card in the wrong place. We shall all be watching them on the field. Please, Sulley Muntari, for the sake of all Ghanaians do not bring your Italian girl friend to the Ghana Camp as you did during the 2004 Olympics forcing the Coach to drop you from the team. Note that the lady is first and foremost an Italian. She will do anything to let Italy prevail, it does not matter how much she loves you. The Italians can send her to spy on us or to ?de-holy? the team. Please all others with foreign girl friends take note.

Now let us Pray. At the recent selection and enstoolment of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a special act by the Asantehemaa might have single handedly contributed to the peaceful nature of the whole process. Nana Serwaa put together a team of pastors and ministers to pray for the affairs. She submitted herself to the authority of God Almighty and personally coordinated the prayer sessions. She prayed for peace in the area, guidance in the selection and acceptance of a candidate and in the resolution of conflict. The event went as she prayed for. Oprah Winfrey believes that to be successful one has to get both the physical and spiritual aspects of things together. The 1998 French World Cup team camped in secret location before and after every match. They did nothing in that camp other than praying. They won the World Cup that year for the first time. Finally, Jesus Christ of all people spent forty days in the wilderness fasting and praying before undertaking His missionary work. Jesus again spent valuable time teaching how to pray. We are all witnesses to the success of Jesus? Work.

What this means is that prayer is of much significance in the undertaking of any major assignment. Thus it could be seen in our tradition that our leaders yi appaee, while Moslems fre Nyame and Christians bo mpaee. Depending on ones belief system prayer takes center stage. If we have declared war on the Italians and the rest of the world we should use prayer as one of our major tools for combat.

Let us pray as the Israelites did when they met the Philistines in war. Moses? hand was raised up and as long as it remained in the sky the Israelis chalked success and when it came down they saw loss. They made sure it remained in the sky by suspending them on some objects. They won. Let us put together dedicated and knowledgeable spiritualists, perhaps three to five from each of the three known religions ? traditional, Moslem and Christianity ? each using their own method to fast and pray for the success of the Black Stars in every match that they will play starting with the Italians. Those chosen should stay focused in a place of their choice, in secret places in Germany, on the field of play or in Ghana. If there is the need for them to come together, so be it. If the president has to coordinate them himself all well and good. Their services have to be recognized and handsomely rewarded. This should not be left in the hands of an unscrupulous individual who will just foolishly lie to them. We are at war and we should fight it vigorously, diligently and bravely on the spiritual theatre too.

Finally, for those who believe in the Power of Positive Thinking let us go to work. Effective today focus on our match with the Italians. For at least 5-10 minutes or more a day till the match is over stay quietly in one specific place, create and watch the match and see Ghana win. My prediction: Ghana 2 Italy 1. If this works, extend it to cover every match that Ghana plays in the World Cup.

In conclusion, I am calling on all Ghanaians to pray for our boys. They are at war and in every war prayers play a very significant role. If we get the spiritual side correct we shall do wonders. Let the traditionalists start their libation, Onyankronpon Tweadiapon yekyere wo nsa??Moslems get their foreheads on the floor and recite, Allahu akbar?.Isha Allah and Christians bow down their heads and pray thus: Our God and our Master Jesus Christ lead and guide our Black Stars to victory over the Italians. Help us to beat them 2 goals to 1. Amen.

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