Sports
Nothing but the ‘Holy Grail’
If we play politics with our game; if we press the friends-and-cronies button, if we do things to solely suit our whims and caprices in place of real professionalism, our football will continue to languish in anguish.
Last week, one was stunned to hear Chief Coach of the Black Stars, CK Akonnor, say that winning the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy was not his focus.
He said he was rather concerned about building a strong, winsome team for the nation, to take on the best of the world.
Perhaps, there might be nothing wrong about that.
However, that was what his predecessor, Akwasi Appiah, was doing before he took over. Nothing really emerged from those fervid years of endeavour in team-building; if anything at all, the Stars crashed out disgracefully in the first round at the Brazil 2014 World Cup and also got booted out at the Round of 16 stage at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
That is why Ghanaians are fed up with this re-building bunk. Indeed, Black Stars is not an academy! When players are fading off, what you do is replace them with fresh exciting limbs – and there we go!
Akonnor has stated he was going to invite some good quality materials to revamp the senior national team. He should go ahead, because that is the way to go. We have nothing against him if only his invitees are worth their salt. We would not compromise on quality. Whichever material is brought in must be something that should potently power home the grand agenda – win the ‘Holy Grail’ for Ghana.
What long-suffering Ghanaians want now is nothing but AFCON glory.
Nothing less!
Is it not upsetting and disconcerting that when Ghana won its fourth Nations Cup in 1982, Cameroon had not even set eyes on the coronet for once? Today, the Cameroonians have made it number five!
In the same vein, the Pharaohs of Egypt had lifted the trophy just twice at the time Ghana had captured it for keeps in 1982. Interestingly, the Pharaohs have gone ahead to annex it a staggering five more times.
That is why Ghanaians want the Stars to exorcise the ‘Golden Fleece hoodoo’ that has kept us in the doldrums all this while.
Many of the nation’s youth today are yet to witness Ghana lift the Nations Cup at the senior level. It is a disturbing ignominy. It is a distressing mentation!
Year-in-year-out, we swagger into the continental campaigns with blazing optimism only for our dreams to come crashing into smithereens! Indeed, the last time Ghana felt and held the trophy was in Libya in 1982 – some 38 years ago!
It is as bewildering as pathetic!
A lot of theories have been propounded ostensibly to find out what had gone wrong all these years. Some say it had something to do with hard luck – Cote d’Ivoire having upstaged the Black Stars twice at the lotteries of penalty shoot-out (1992 and 2015), to win their only trophies.
Maybe, it is not about luck. It is about focus; we need total focus. Let us sit, plan effectively and tell our men in battle that we are not returning from Cameroon without the trophy – and the message will sink into their sub-conscience even before they embark on the trip.
Akonnor was appointed only two months after joining the then Appiah-led Ghana technical team as an assistant coach.
Earlier in January, the GFA removed all of its national team coaches, at all levels of the game, including Appiah and all his assistants, which included Appiah’s contract not being renewed.
The FA said the drastic move was “in line with the vision” of its new administration to allow it to evaluate the situation.
The appointment of Akonnor by the Kurt Okraku-FA administration triggered a googol of negative reactions from a section of the public who claimed there was a case of conflict of interest.
Former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye also said the GFA’s decision to name Akonnor as the head coach of the Black Stars was tantamount to a conflict of interest, arguing that there was the tendency of the coach serving the interest of the FA President whom many claim is the manager of the former Dreams FC trainer.
Dreams FC is owned by the FA boss who has denied ever managing Akunnor.
Once again, there may be no serious controversy about Akonnor being the former employer of Mr Okraku. But the coach must not be spoon-fed. He must give us the results, ultimately leading to the annexation of the ‘Holy Grail’ that the nation is desperately craving for.
If fetching the next Nations Cup diadem is not his focus, somebody better tell him to rethink it! Certainly, he was not appointed to be an also-ran!
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
ADUANA FC’s title-winning aspirations will be on the line tomorrow when they host Asante Kotoko in a Ghana Premier League Match day 27 game at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa.
Currently lying fifth on the log, seven points adrift of leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, Aduana believes the title is within their reach and they will give it their best shot, beginning with tomorrow’s game.
In their last five fixtures at Dormaa, Aduana FC has recorded a single win, drawing twice and losing the rest, a trend coach Aristică Cioabă is hoping to end tomorrow.
Both teams have met twice this season; the first-round tie ended 1-1, with Aduana Stars knocking out Kotoko, the defending champions of the MTN FA Cup, on penalties in their round of 16, to set the tone for an epic encounter tomorrow.
Kotoko go into this game spurred by the 3-0 victory over Nations FC last week, the first after six attempts in the Garden City derby, while Aduana FC fell 2-1 to Bechem United in the Bono derby last week.
Accra Hearts of Oak will make a return to the Accra Sports Stadium to face returnees Swedru All Blacks in a cagey encounter.
Phobian fans are up in arms with their team following recent home performances.
Hearts of Oak’s home record this season at the Accra Sports Stadium stands at five matches, of which they won one, drew three and lost one.
In all, the Phobians have drawn 12 games this season, seven at home with four home victories; a pattern that has left their faithful very livid.
The Phobians, who lie fourth on the log with 42 points, six behind leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, harbour a title-winning dream, and victory tomorrow will further make that dream clear.
Coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle of Swedru All Blacks believes he has what it takes to ‘kill’ that dream of the Phobians and is looking to unleash striker Rudolf Mensah on the Phobians to continue from where he left off last week against Hohoe United.
After overtaking over Medeama SC to go top of the GPL table, Gold Stars will trek to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play Karela United tomorrow.
Karela United, who were on a five-game unbeaten run before being blown away in Berekum last week by Berekum Chelsea, are hoping to return to winning ways as they seek a top four finish.
Gold Stars coach Fritz Schmid, winner of the NASCO coach of the month for February, will be banking his hope on current leading goal king Samuel Atta Kumi to help his side solidify their stay at the top with yet another victory or a point on the road.
Coach Nurudeen Amadu of Karela United believes his side would react positively after their first defeat in the last six games last week by picking up the three points available.
After applying the brakes on former league leaders Medeama SC last week, Dreams FC will turn their attention to the Hohoe Stadium when they play as guests of Hohoe United, who are battling relegation.
The league’s second-top scorer with 10 goals, Augustine Okrah, will lead Bechem United to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena to test their strength against Samartex FC.
At the Wenchi Sports Complex, relegation-threatened Young Apostles will look to jump out of the zone with a win when they take on visiting Heart of Lions.
Berekum Chelsea will chase a second straight victory when they visit Nations FC at the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese.
The Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema New Town will today host the clash between eighth-placed Vision FC and visiting 12th-placed side Basake Holy Stars.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Laboma Beach Resort in Accra will be full of fireworks on April 5 when RBS Promotions and Box Office Promotions stage an international boxing event dubbed the ‘Resurrection Fight Night’ in Accra.
The event is set to feature top local and international boxers in what organisers described as a major platform to promote Ghana boxing on the global stage.
At the launch of the event last Friday, organisers outlined an exciting bill headlined by a 10-round national light heavyweight championship bout between Jonathan Tetteh and Abdul Aziz Quartey.
Other notable bouts included an eight-round lightweight contest between Alfred Lamptey and Maxwell Awuku, and another eight-round light heavyweight clash between Seth Gyimah of Ghana and Jamiu Animashaun of Nigeria.
Joseph Commey will face Bright Ayala in an eight-round lightweight contest, while Michael Abban takes on Benin’s Damien Zannou in a 10-round super flyweight fight.
Additional bouts will see Benjamin Lamptey battle Kamarudeen Boyefio in a six-round featherweight contest, while Clinton Nii Adjei is expected to feature in an eight-round cruiserweight contest against an opponent yet to be announced.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RBS Promotions, Dr Albert Tetteh Botchway, said the initiative formed part of efforts to nurture young boxing talents and position Ghana as a hub for international boxing.
He said the organisers were committed to producing a world champion for Ghana by 2028, stressing that it did not matter which camp the boxer would emerge from.
Dr Botchway urged unity among stakeholders in the boxing fraternity, including promoters, managers and trainers, to ensure the success of the event and the growth of the sport.
The Acting Teshie Mantse and Atofotse, Nii Martey Dzata Obrempong I, also appealed to boxers to remain disciplined and focused, noting that the event was organised in their interest to help them achieve their career aspirations.
He emphasised that boxing was a serious sport that required commitment and support from all stakeholders, adding that the event was not just a local contest but an international spectacle.
The CEO of Box Office Promotions, Mr Alex Ntiamoah, in his address described the event as more than a fight night, stating that it was a platform that blended sport, culture and business.
He said the initiative would create opportunities for fighters, brands and investors, while positioning Ghana as a destination for world class sporting entertainment.
Mr Ntiamoah further announced a series of pre-fight activities, including public appearances, workouts and a final press conference ahead of the main event.
According to him, a public workout session is scheduled for April 2, with the official weigh-in set for April 4, all at the same venue.
By Stephanie Birikorang
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