Hot!
Don’t force them to play!
Qualification games to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar roared off barely two years ago – with many wondering whether Ghana could snatch one of the continent’s five tickets to its fourth Mundial.
The nation carved a historic World Cup debut in Germany (2006) – continuing the romance in South Africa (2010) and Brazil (2014), but failed to navigate their path to Russia (2018).
The Russia embarrassing fiasco jogged on the ‘nagging heels’ of disgraceful events of the Brazil World Cup that saw a heart-rending player rebellion – totally consumed by love for cash, robbing the team of a potentially eye-catching campaign. A calamitous first round exit was the upshot!
Indeed, Ghanaians were not the least surprised at all about the Russia qualification disaster; it was all-too predictable – albeit the players gave it a thoroughly decent fight.
But that is history now. No one wants to remember it.
What many Ghanaians are probably still celebrating now is the Black Stars triumphant entry into Qatar – upstaging no less an opposition than Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The sweetness in that momentous victory was that the Stars snatched qualification from the wild jaws of Abuja – (away goal rule) – not in Kumasi where the playoff game ended barren.
Victory did not only ensure passage to a fourth World Cup but raised strong concerns about building a formidably winsome Black Stars squad capable of making remarkable impression in the minds of fans.
Though many agree that at least the nucleus of the new-look squad that edged the Super Eagles must be in Qatar, it is the general view that the team must be augmented for the fierce challenges ahead.
However, there seems to be some alarm bells of anxiety and desperation as there have been calls for players like striker Inaki Williams (Atletico Bilbao), Chelsea midfielder Hudson Odoi and Southampton’s Mohammed Salisu among others, to join the squad.
Sadly, some of the players being bandied around are clearly not desirous about donning the national colours now – and one wonders why we are still at their heels.
As a matter of principle, we must make it a point not to compel anybody to play for the national team – no matter how big and grandeur the player is.
In any case, to qualify to feature for the Black Stars, a player must demonstrate a patriotic zeal; must have a huge desire to don the red-gold-green-and-star shirt. It is such a huge shirt, and nobody must be pampered to wear it.
Ahead of the nervy qualifier against Nigeria, some of the players indicated their availability only when Ghana qualifies. Such players must not have a space in the team.
From experience, once so-called marquee players are forced or kowtowed to play, they tend to hold their own country to ransom. No way!
It is always better to go into a competition with 11 average dedicated and whole-heartedly committed players on the field than carry a bus-full load of embarrassingly rich array of stars!
Mind you, you cannot buy commitment. You cannot buy valour. You cannot buy dedication. But you can buy big stars with money!
PlainTalk with John Vigah
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
