The year 2014 has come to a close with lots of sporting events that must enter the history books.
Recalling the disgraceful debacle of a World Cup held in Brazil, there is a lot to tell the yet to be born years to come.
Presently, American Hollywood film stars are contemplating on what title to give a movie on the disastrous Black Stars campaign during the last World Cup in Brazil.
Of course, if some of the critics were eager to give their suggestions on the title for the movie, that must be the most accurate because it is the precise description of the enormous demands of the Black Stars in the midst of the campaign to settle on what they described as "appearance fees".
Some notable African squads to the World Cup have managed to reach the quarter-finals and for strange reasons suffered some awkward setbacks which in the case of Ghana led to the setting up of a special inquiry to look into it. That is a disaster that sent the whole Minister of Youth and Sports shedding tears at a Presidential Commission of Inquiry.
The Minister, who gleefully accepted the responsibility of sending a continent of curious spectators, supporters groups, cheer leaders, friendly reporters, protocols, ambassadors, musicians and nutritionists to help the Black Stars win the World Cup, never expected that events at Brazil would lead to his reassignment as Minister of State without portfolio, resulting in being branded as a failure hence his historic shedding of tears.
One landmark event that cannot be forgotten was what happened to the most successful Ghanaian coach to have handled the Black Stars to a World Cup and what led to his sacking while still on his assignment?
Till now, many wonder why Kwasi Appiah was fired and it is one of the events to remember in 2014.
We cannot also sweep under the carpet the blows that were exchanged at a meeting of the Black Stars and their management committee during a discussion on their winning bonus at the World Cup.
Yes, the first time we in Africa heard of appearance fees was when England invited Cameroun to a special match at the Wembley Stadium and the Camerounian super-star Roger Miller demanded an appearance fee for his participation. President Ahidjo thought it preposterous and did not budge and the team went without Roger Miller and in the end suffered a 3 - 0 defeat.
Some of the Hollywood directors might have heard of the "appearance fees" for the first time, and are going ahead to make a mockery of it with the production of a movie.
In fact, there will be a lot to talk about in future but have we forgotten that Cameroun set the tone in the 1990 World Cup in Italy where they fought so hard to reach that level and had to fall out?
And have we forgotten Senegal doing the same thing in the Japan/Korea finals in 2006, and had the bragging right to tell Africa to emulate their prowess?
And now it was the time for the Black Stars to show Africa the way after reaching the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010 and created the impression of going even further in the next tournament in Brazil?
In the case of Cameroun, their next campaign was more disastrous in the next finals in the USA where they suffered a 6 - 1 defeat at the hands of Russia and 3 - 0 to Brazil.
They managed a 2 - 2 draw with Sweden and it was a big lesson to Africa, and perhaps that was the reason why captain Asamoah Gyan and his men were in high spirits for action with the support of the President and the people of this natural coast of gold.
Right now, Justice Dzamefe and his team of Inquirers are ready to send their report to the President, and believe me, it will contain all the events and the recommendations that might help in the next campaign possibly in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.
I wonder how many pages will contain the report and it will be very interesting to read all what it contains with a lot of judicial lessons.
What may be missing in the report might be the number of people that constitute the co-efficient staff of Kwesi Nyantakyi at the FA. I wonder whether it is not the same Brazil disaster that is having its ripples on the local league programme.
As we say goodbye to 2014, all of us might have liked to see everything running smoothly with every single rule and regulation being strictly adhered to. But then whether it is the same unidentified forces that are gradually gnawing this fine coast of gold, only God knows.
But let's garner fresh forces to fight those evils. God bless, Merry Christmas!
