Prodigal sons of the black stars are most welcome
The two activities that have captured my interest throughout my life have been football (sports in general) and politics. I have never minced my words when it comes to the discussion of issues on these activities, even when I know the consequences may not be in my personal favour, so long as I am convinced that the public good is served.
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Unfortunately, both politics and football in Ghana have become so polarised that many decent Ghanaians have recoiled into some sort of culture of silence.
Of late, it is the decision of the so-called “prodigal sons’ to return to the national team that has become the source of polarisation of Ghana football. In some cases, the language used has been intemperate, indecent and overboard.
For one to say that the President “negotiated with terrorists” did not show respect for the Presidency itself. To use the word terrorists on the Ayew brothers is unfortunate. That is a myopic, naïve and ignorant perception.
In any case, president Mahama is not the first Head of State to intervene in the interest of Ghana football. Ghanaians love their football and it is, therefore, not out of place for any intervention that will bring success to Ghana football and make the people happy.
Remember that former President John Kufuor had to console and persuade Asamoah Gyan not to stop playing for the Black Stars when he threatened to do so during CAN 2008, when Gyan suffered a lot of abuse from football fans for his low performances. I am aware that he also took time off his busy schedule just to contact and fraternise with national team players during his numerous official visits to Europe.
Even in the days of amateur football, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah formed a model club (Republicans) in order to encourage national team players to play together more often just to facilitate the success of the national team in the international arena.
The President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwasi Nyantakyi, deserves commendation for the return of the so-called prodigal sons to the national team. He has never stopped making efforts to bring them back. He has demonstrated that he is a leader who believes that only the best is good for Ghana. In that respect, he reminds me of the first post- independence Chairman of GAFA, Ohene Djan, who sent Amusah Gbadamoshie (Pele) on a special flight to North Africa to join his colleagues in the Black Stars for an Africa Cup of Nations, when the player decided to play truancy. He did that in the belief that only the best should represent Ghana.
Added advantage
These days, the best footballers ply their trade in Europe. You only have to look at the national teams of Brazil, Argentina, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Uruguay and many others and you will realise that almost all of them play in Europe. It is an added advantage if your national team players play in the top European leagues and clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in the English Premier League; Porto in Portugal; Marseille in France; Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain; AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan in Italy.
These are some of the top European clubs who have won the European Cup before. Almost all their regular players are also national team players. In Ghana, only a few players belong to these lists of elite teams with elite players, namely, Michael Essien, Suley Muntari, Kevin Prince Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah, Christian Atsu, Dede Ayew and Jordan Ayew. In any country, these players will be automatic choices to the national team and regular starters.
Such elite players are also often the problem players. What are required are tolerance, forgiveness and skillful man-management to accommodate them. That is why I am disappointed that the national team coach accentuated the problem with his comments that seem to suggest that he was not happy about the decision of the so-called prodigal sons to return. These things do happen and the team manager sometimes has to take one major decision — resign or keep quiet.
When the England coach was not happy about the removal of John Terry as the team captain by the football association, the honourable thing he did was to resign. If the Black Stars coach is not happy that the President of the Republic, the GFA President and other well-meaning Ghanaians have persuaded top football stars to return to the national team, then he knows what to do.
The fact that the Black Stars are on the brink of qualification for the next phase of the World Cup does not mean that these players are no longer required. It is going to be tough in our last group match against Zambia and it is even going to be tougher in the next (knock-out) phase and in Brazil, if the Black Stars ultimately get there.
I have always believed that if there is one African country that can win the world cup, it has to be Ghana. It cannot happen if we are not diplomatic enough to keep all our star players on board. It cannot happen if the technical men pick and throw out talented players at will.
Here I am particularly referring to goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and natural left-footed full back Mashud. I do not believe that they have suddenly become bad soon after a change in the national coach to the extent that they cannot even be among the substitutes.
Kwarasey had the choice between playing for Ghana (his fatherland) and Norway (his motherland) and he chose Ghana. The way he has been treated is not a good advertisement for other Ghanaian players born in foreign lands. I find myself supporting Italy and England just because of Balotelli and Welbeck, who both have Ghanaian biological parents. How I wish they were spearheading the attack of the Black Stars in Brazil.
There will be many such players coming up in the near future, so long as some Ghanaians continue to live abroad; that gives reason for us to treat players in the national team in a rational manner. Football is the game that keeps this country united. Let us prevent the insults, lies, backbiting, intolerance and lack of respect that has characterised Ghana’s politics from creeping into our football environment. It can only spell doom for the future.
Meanwhile, the goal is not only to qualify for Brazil but to get there and win the cup. We cannot do that without the involvement of our God-given football superstars. The prodigal sons of the Black Stars are, therefore, most welcome.
By Prof Wayo Seini/Ghana
