FA must not take withdrawals lightly

There couldn’t have been a more challenging moment for Black Stars coach, Carlos Queiroz than the situation he faced ahead of the commencement of the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C qualifiers.

Apart from opening the qualifying campaign with two high-profile encounters against The Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire, and following up with The Gambia, Queiroz has been hit hard by several player withdrawals.

As of press time, seven top players of the team had announced their withdrawals with just about two days to the Bouake ‘clasico’ where the Ivorians engaged Ghana in a tough clash that reminded fans of their historic meeting in the finals of the 1992 edition of the championship that was decided after a marathon penalty shoot-out.

Queiroz was forced to make late changes to his side as Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Captain Jordan Ayew, Prince Adu Kwabena, Alidu Seidu indicated their unreadiness to serve.

This group of players can be considered as the spine of the team, and without them, the team is weak, timid, putting their ability to face the Elephants in their own habitat in doubt.

From the players, several excuses –mostly on injuries and fitness, have been given for the decision and they expect Ghanaians to just accept that and move forward.

Before the withdrawals, Atletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams also announced his retirement from international football. Fact is, what he actually wanted to tell Ghanaians is that he would not play for the Black Stars again.

Others like Kevin Prince Boateng have walked on this path with the Black Stars before, turning his back on Ghana after enjoying his World Cup experience.

For the two, there would have been no World Cup experience without the opportunities presented by the Black Stars.

All of these are pointing to a particular trajectory which the Ghana Football Association (GFA) must be seen to be finding solutions to.

Clearly, it is showing a pattern where either players are becoming selective with the games they play or beginning to see the AFCON as an inferior championship.

Maybe what every Black Stars player must be reminded about is the fact that Ghana’s credentials at senior level were achieved through efforts at the AFCONs and not the World Cup which Ghana’s maiden qualification came in 2006.

At the AFCON, Ghana boasts of four trophies and considered heavyweights although recent history shows otherwise. For the World Cup, all the Black Stars have to show for is the quadrennial $100,000 appearance fee bonanza.

And if they don’t know, they must be told that those paydays don’t affect Ghana’s position on the FIFA rankings.

Maybe, the recent withdrawals should spark the conversation to let the Black Stars understand that just as they strive to make a name for themselves at the World Cup, fans back home equally demand same for the AFCON that presents a better chance for silverware than the World.

The FA must not entertain these excuses on the face value. They must verify some of the claims and excuses to ensure future withdrawals can be controlled. What is needed for the team to thrive is commitment and dedication at all platforms. Anything less will spell doom for the Black Stars.

By Andrew Nortey