For soccer players the world over, there’s no surer way to get into the limelight than a FIFA World Cup appearance. There are several soccer heroes in all parts of the world who may have won all that there is to win in their home countries but who may not be recognised going through departure or arrival formalities at Kotoka or other international airports. But one significant moment while participating in the global event is enough to transform an otherwise unheard of player from say, Africa or Asia into a recognisable personality the world over. It could be something like Cameroonian Roger Milla’s cheeky goal against Colombia’s flamboyant ‘keeper Rene Higuita, his touchline waist wriggling goal celebration in the 1990 World Cup, or England’s Paul Gascoigne’s tearful weeping when his team got eliminated. Naturally, and especially owing to the fact that the tournament takes place only once in four years, an inclusion in a World Cup squad is the cherished dream of every player. The problem though is that unlike supporters there’s an upward ceiling of 23 players for all participating countries be they Brazil or Honduras. Thank God, this is a FIFA regulation over which there’s no compromise otherwise we could have had some countries sending 40-man squads.

Ghana, like many other countries qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, also started with an initial selection of 30 players which had to be pruned down to the mandatory 23. Before sending the team to France to start their final preparations the coach made it clear that every player had equal chance of making it into the final 23 even though it was obvious that just the same way as Maradona and Capello weren’t going to leave out fully fit Messi and Rooney respectively under any circumstance there was no way Rajevic would have left out even a 90% fit Michael Essien. There may have been a few other ‘sure bankers’ but depending on the coach in charge and people’s personal preferences there’s no way any of the 30 players would have received a zero approval if the selection had had to be done through public voting. In the same way, it’s unlikely any of them would have received a 100% approval rating.

After about a week at their training camp in France Coach Rajevic, whether based on their past performances or output at the training camp, came out with his preferred 23. As I’ve implied elsewhere I don’t begrudge any of the six players left out of the final squad (excluding Essien) for feeling disappointed. But to the extent that any player would go out of his way to hurl insults on the Coach or any player’s mother or supporters to attack a Deputy Minister for doing what was expected of him – come out with his preferred 23 – is unfortunate, to say the least, and highly condemnable if as we are being told, Laryea Kingston had to be restrained from physically attacking the Coach for excluding him. That would be the height of indiscipline for a professional player. As at the time of writing this Laryea is reported to have come out to deny that any of what is being said about him happened but I’m wondering why anyone would pick him out of the six others and put the following statement in his mouth: “I swear to God you are not a good coach. You don't know anything about football, you stupid man!”? Even if we were to give Laryea the benefit of doubt following his denial his case is not helped much with what he’s reported to have told “The Sun” newspaper. "Since the news came out people have been demonstrating back home because everyone had expected I would be included in the squad. They have been on the streets shouting my name and chanting slogans like 'No Kingston, No Black Stars'. They have even marched to the headquarters of the FA to protest and some have gone to the president's castle in Accra. It was very big news at the time - and I know everyone is still talking about it now”.

And What About His Mother and the Deputy Sports Minister?

It’s obvious from the above statement attributed to him that he’s pleased with the unruly behaviour of a few fans of his so why should he render apology to the Deputy Minister of Sports, Nii Nortey Duah, for his mother’s verbal attack on him and his family? Professional Footballers are usually in their youth and as such may not be so immune from acts of indiscipline here and there but such behaviour must be condemned by all. In the first place, who told him, his mother and supporters that it was he rather than his other colleagues who deserved to be included in the squad? Incidentally this isn’t the first time Laryea is exhibiting such unsportsmanlike behaviour. In the full glare of TV cameras he was seen demonstrating a similar fashion when he was substituted in an international match. And lest we forget the reason why he couldn’t play in Germany was not due to injury or exclusion by Ghana’s coach or Deputy Minister. He was banned by CAF for an on-the-pitch unsportsmanlike behaviour in an Africa Cup tournament. He’s a good player who has served his country well but I believe he would do his image a lot of good to advise his supporters not to see him as an Abedi Pele, Anthony Yeboah or Michael Essien. He is by no means a legend!

Other Matters Arising

The other day I heard Mr. George Gyau, Operations Manager of newly crowned Premier League Champions Aduana Stars, questioning Rajevac’s decision for excluding the club’s Goalkeeper Stephen Adams from the final 23-man squad. His problem is simple: “How come a keeper who has been voted the best in our country from the 30 premier league matches played be kicked out in favour of those he beat in the competition, talking about Daniel Agyei and Stephen Ahorlu? To me, something fishy transpired for such a decision to be made.” I hope Mr. Gyau will soon learn that selecting players for a tournament like the World Cup is neither based on Mathematics nor logic. The point here is that the three keepers were chosen after four of them had undergone training together under one Goalkeepers’ coach for about a week and not necessarily according to who did better in the league.

For his information, England’s Coach Fabio Capello has handed the No.1 jersey to David James of Portsmouth ahead of Robert Green and Joe Hart of West Ham United and Birmingham City respectively, making him the first choice keeper for England for the tournament. This is in spite of the fact that Portsmouth ended the just-ended Premier league at rock bottom and got relegated. He kept the post 26 out of the 38 league matches. He was chosen ahead of Robert Green who kept the post 38 out of 38 for West Ham which placed 17 and Joe Hart who was in the post 36 times for ninth placed Birmingham City. By Mr. Gyau’s logic Joe Hart should have been the No.1 keeper for England because his team placed better on their league table ahead of teams of his other two colleagues. Making the initial list of 30 should encourage Adams to work harder to secure a regular place in the team for the years ahead especially since it’s obvious Richard Kingston has already passed his prime. He should not allow himself to be discouraged by Mr. Gyau.

And Why Holland?

By the way I’ve been wondering who advised us to play the first of our two warm-up matches against Holland – one of the top teams in Europe today – especially since it appears from the reaction of the Ghanaian public that we so badly needed a win. We should have taken a cue from Brazil who chose Tanzania and Zimbabwe. I think our expectation of beating Holland in their own backyard was a little too high. And in case anyone hasn’t heard it, China has just beaten France 1-0 as I write this – Friday 4th June. But mind you, neither this nor our loss to Holland or even our impending match with Latvia is part of the World Cup fixtures.

My humble plea is for all Ghanaians to keep praying for our boys and wish them the best even when the going gets rather tough. But it may be good for us not to expect too much so that if we should fall we wouldn’t feel it so much.

Kwame Twumasi-Fofie

Sunyani